Changemaker Catalyst Award Recipient Juharah Worku interned at the National Institute for Reproductive Health in New York City this summer to conduct candidate research and outreach for the 2018 election cycle for New York State. She is currently double majoring in Political Sciences and Africana Studies.
This summer, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to intern with the National Institute for Reproductive Health, or NIRH, in NYC to work toward a society in which each person has the freedom to control their reproductive and sexual lives. Their mission, rooted in a social justice vision with comprehensive reproductive rights, aligns deeply with my own personal mission to work towards liberation and empowerment for historically disenfranchised groups within our society.
NIRH’s reach is extensive, forming partnerships with organizations at the local and state level, and working with policymakers and lobbyists at the national level. Their political arm, the NIRH Action Fund (NIRHAF), empowers candidates and legislators to create policy that advances access to reproductive health care. My internship allowed me to understand the inner-workings of both NIRH and the NIRHAF, the political processes involved in operating the organization, and the political and electoral landscape of New York State’s reproductive health care access extensively.
The entire summer was in many ways a surreal experience. I never imagined myself working on Wall Street! The NIRH office, located in the heart of the financial district, was a very busy place. As a newcomer to New York City, from the first day I knew that this experience would be a memorable one. I lived in Brooklyn, just a short subway ride away from work. The commute itself was one of the highlights of my internship experience. Earphones were absolutely essential. Blasting Cardi B and hopping off the 2/3 train at the Wall Street stop, I felt energized to start the day. As I walked through the streets of Manhattan, I felt surprisingly empowered rushing past institutions like Federal Hall, the New York Stock Exchange and even the hideous eyesore that was Drumpf Tower. Despite these massive buildings towering over me, I felt like I was standing even taller, walking with purpose to work ready to conquer each day as an empowered young Black woman working in a reproductive rights organization.
New York State’s political landscape is in many way an enigma, and I was fortunate to observe and work beside experts who understood this and have years of experience lobbying and organizing to increase reproductive rights in the state. I reported directly to both the Director and the Senior Manager of Political and Governmental Affairs in the organization, and worked various assignments they tasked me with daily.Many of my days consisted of researching candidates running for the New York State Senate, Assembly, and other statewide offices and compiling the data into an accessible Excel file. I also sent every candidate the NIRHAF state candidate questionnaire, which our organization used to educate voters about candidates’ stances on reproductive rights issues. Rapidly, the political climate surrounding reproductive rights has become extremely hostile throughout the duration of the Drumpf administration. Because of the unrelenting attacks on reproductive rights that this administration has actively pushed, my internship also consisted of attending different press conferences hosted by Planned Parenthood, New York State Assembly Members, New York City Public Advocate Tish James, and even Governor Andrew Cuomo himself.
Without a doubt, this summer experience has further ignited my passion for public policy and advocacy, especially in the realm of reproductive rights. I am so grateful for the opportunity the Taylor Center made possible to live in New York and gain first-hand experience in the non-profit sector this summer. It was a very fulfilling and educational experience to work alongside energetic, passionate and empathetic folks who embody the very definition of being a changemaker.