I graduated Pitzer College in 2017 with honors in Gender and Feminist studies. For my thesis in college, I wrote and illustrated a book, An Illustrated History of Reproductive Rights in the United States, about the legal and social history of reproductive rights from 1821 until May of 2017. With high school aged students as my target demographic, I wished to express how difficult the fight for reproductive rights has been and continues to be. In the title, I use the all-encompassing phrase, ‘‘reproductive rights,’’ as my book includes reproductive freedom, reproductive justice, sex education, abortion, birth control, coerced sterilization, and much more. Regarding these subjects, I focused on well-known activists, movements, law changes, anti-choice agendas, as well as current events surrounding reproductive rights.

I was given the opportunity to share some of my thesis with a Feminism class at The Calhoun School, the high school I graduated from in New York City. I created an hour long lesson plan and an interactive learning experience for a class of seniors, focusing on subjects such as coerced and forced sterilization, birth control, and abortion laws. My work with these students gave me insight into what works and what can be improved upon within my book. I am in the midst of rewriting and illustrating it, in order to publish it for wide use. In the wake of the current political climate surrounding abortion rights, I believe it is important to make sure we don’t lose sight of our history and the ongoing fight for the right to bodily autonomy.

Below is just four pages out of my 47 page graphic novel. Please reach out to me if you’d like to read further!