In the News

"Some reproductive justice activists are connecting the dots between their commitments and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza...abortion funds Holler Health Justice and Abortion Fund of Ohio have issued statements of solidarity with Palestine grounded in reproductive justice values."

“'You have increasing costs and decreasing donations,' said Hayley McMahon, who sits on the board of the Appalachian abortion fund Holler Health Justice and studies barriers to abortion at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. 'Those two things combined are a perfect storm for just absolutely wiping out abortion funds.'”

"We have a wealth of forebears who have demonstrated what liberatory struggle looks like. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. We can mine the past for strategies toward molding the future. We can plug in to networks of solidarity that have been doing this work in truly intersectional ways. For example, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW!, which operates in Georgia and across the South, or Holler Health Justice in Appalachia."

"'This community power building is reflected in the work of Holler Health Justice, or HHJ, a West Virginia reproductive justice and harm reduction organization that builds power in Appalachia with communities most disproportionately affected by health inequities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folk, those in rural areas and those with low income. HHJ has continued to offer abortion funding, practical support and free emergency contraception, despite the continually changing legal landscape in West Virginia."

"The majority of those hostile states are in the south and midwest, restricting access for what would likely be hundreds of miles. There are several ways to help, but the most beneficial in this moment is through donating to an abortion fund. These funds not only help cover medical costs, but also transportation and travel costs for those seeking out abortion access."

"According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, these are the 26 states characterized as being in 'hostile' condition, meaning they could immediately prohibit abortion entirely once Roe v Wade is overturned. Here is a list of abortion funds to donate to in these states, per the National Network of Abortion Funds."

"For years, Black-led reproductive justice organizations have been challenging people to look beyond simply protecting Roe and the right to abortion and looking more expansively at supporting people’s right to decide when and how they become parents... Groups like Sister Song, Black Feminist Future, The Afiya Center, Holler Health Justice and Kentucky Health Justice Network work to ensure that people are protected and supported in their right to determine when and how to start a family."

"Reproductive justice activists have long been preparing for the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade... While national organizations like Planned Parenthood and political advocacy group NARAL Pro Choice America gather up even more support to fight against this future ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, it's our job to support local organizations on the ground, including Black and POC-led networks who are advocating for communities already struggling to obtain equal reproductive access."

"Reproductive justice organizers are urging support for already-existing networks and abortion funds to subvert the Supreme Court ruling... West Virginia mutual aid organization Holler Health Justice tweeted 'Come hell or high water, we’re funding abortion in these hills and hollers.'"

"'We've gotten a lot of support,' said [HHJ] co-director Peshka Calloway. 'But our biggest concern is we need people who can show up consistently and continue pouring love into our cup.'"

"In 2017, the CDC reported 10.4 percent of United States births happened in the Appalachian region—an area disproportionately affected by health inequities, especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those in rural areas, those with low income, and LGBTQIA+ folk. Holler Health Justice aims to give people in Appalachian communities power, access, and resources to be healthy and have agency over their lives."

"Holler Health Justice is a BIPOC and queer-led reproductive justice group that provides education, mutual aid, free emergency contraception, and abortion help to rural and low-income communities in Appalachia..."

"[HHJ] is the first and only financial and practical abortion-support organization in the state. They serve queer communities, people of color, those in rural areas, and people who are low-income — some of the populations most at risk from abortion restrictions... With access to abortion in Appalachia under constant threat, it’s important to lend support to organizations like Holler Health Justice."

"'A lot of our folks are going to need to leave the state to get care, which means it’s going to be harder to coordinate and more expensive,' [HHJ's Hayley McMahon] said. 'We expect to see higher gestations which means higher costs for the procedure and greater transportation needs.'"

"...consider giving to state-specific organizations, especially places where abortion access is in peril like Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund, Fund Texas Choice and Holler Health Justice. You can also contact your local senators to urge them to pass federal legislation to enshrine Roe as law."

"...'We have an amazing community of volunteers and supporters who have seen us in action, who know how committed we are and will always be, even in the event Roe falls,' [HHJ's] Calloway explains. 'Folks also may not know that abortion funds in Appalachia have been interconnected since our fund’s founding. We’ve learned from each other, and we rely on each other.'"

"If you’re feeling angry or terrified and you want to channel that anger into action, you can donate to one of the on-the-ground abortion funds that are prepared to continue ensuring access to safe abortions."

"Another option for people with limited resources to get an abortion is to utilize abortion funds like Holler Health Justice, which can pay for hotels, gas, and other barriers to care. 'We’re not going anywhere, we’re still going to be here, whether that looks like helping people get abortions out-of-state or helping them get care they need,' [HHJ's] McMahon said."

"...the majority of those hostile states are in the south and midwest, restricting access for what would likely be hundreds of miles. There are several ways to help, but the most beneficial in this moment is through donating to an abortion fund. These funds not only help cover medical costs, but also transportation and travel costs for those seeking out abortion access."

"As the onslaught of legislative violence continues against reproductive rights, it’s important to remember who exactly will shoulder the largest burden of these laws. Black people, indigenous people, and people of color broadly will bear the brunt of the restrictions. This makes it crucial to take the care and donate to BIPOC-specific abortion funds, especially those located in the South or trigger law states... In Appalachia, BIPOC, queer-led organization Holler Health Justice seeks to provide needed health services, such as abortion, to West Virginians."

"Here are 10 abortion funds worth contributing to today to help protect those in need... Holler Health Justice: 90 per cent of women in the state live in counties with no [abortion] provider."

"While national efforts to support women’s bodily autonomy are likely to receive a flood of donations in the coming weeks, if you’re looking for ways to help right now, local abortion funds and independent clinics are some of the best places to donate... [including] Holler Health Justice, which provides abortion funds, free emergency contraception, and other healthcare and harm reduction in West Virginia."

"Those on-the-ground providers and mutual-aid organizations across the South need our time and resources now more than ever."

"Holler Health Justice combines the experiences and passions of its leaders. In addition to practical services and abortion funding, [HHJ's] Gaffin and Calloway tell their stories to help people feel less alone... 'Whatever happens with Roe v. Wade, we will still be here. You can’t stop us.'"

"[Holler Health Justice] helps people afford abortions and the related costs of child care, gas, and lodging in a state with one clinic and one of the highest poverty rates in the nation... [their] clients are rural residents who may travel hours from mountain communities to access abortion."

“'The central charge of abortion funds is to fund abortion and build power, and we encourage philanthropists to do just that. These two go hand-in-hand because funding abortion is inherently political work. When people have their needs met, they're primed to join and lead movements against injustice.'”

"Holler Health Justice is a volunteer-run abortion fund that provides everything from practical support—like advice on car rides and plane tickets—to a herculean amount of coordination to ensure people make it to their appointments... 'Whether Roe exists or not... there’s still going to be the same need for us.'"

“If Hailey hadn’t heard about Holler Health Justice from a friend who had an abortion, she said her life would have been ruined... 'If it wasn’t for them I would have had no choice but to have that child because I had no support... They don’t ask questions, they just help you.'"