Patients to Advocates is a paid, year-long leadership development program which prepares persons who have had abortions for civic engagement around reproductive health, rights, and justice.
It is a product of collaboration amongst NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Foundation, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and Preterm. Fellows participate in educational modules and utilize their knowledge in legislative visits, door to door canvassing in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood, panel discussions, and media interactions. Each cohort is comprised of women from various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Fellows have been featured in national and local media outlets such as Fusion, Huffington Post, and Vice.
What do Advocates do?
Connect.
Abortion is a common experience. Join us to connect with other patients while receiving support from the sponsor organizations. There is power in community.
Share.
Your experience is valid. Abortion stories don't begin or end with the medical procedure. Learn how to craft and share the story of your abortion(s).
Learn.
Join us to learn more about abortion access, reproductive justice, stigma, policy, the role of religion, and more!
This is Ashley.
Ashley Underwood is the Research & Program Manager for NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, as well as the coordinator of Patients to Advocates, a civic engagement and leadership development fellowship for people who have had abortions. She has experience in community programming, health promotion, and policy analysis in the fields of maternal and reproductive health. Ashley is a graduate of Tennessee State University and Case Western Reserve University, where she received her Masters of Public Health.