Welcome a new blogger to Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz, Liza Fuentes! Liza is the Senior Research Associate at NLIRH.
What brings you to NLIRH?
I was a community mobilization intern at NLIRH three years ago before I started grad school, and afterwards I continued to be involved in advocacy and research for Latina reproductive health. When I saw that NLIRH was looking for a researcher, I was so excited for the opportunity to come back and to integrate my skills and passion for research with the movement building and activism work that got me started in advancing Latina reproductive justice.
What is it about reproductive justice that gets you going?
First and foremost, it was the transformative experiences I had as a young woman trying to deal with her own reproductive health needs. When I realized how little I knew about what I needed and how to get, I got angry. My friends and I talked a lot about dating and sex, but much less about sexuality, relationships, and how to stay healthy. I then started volunteering and working at a Latino-serving health clinic and an abortion hotline, where I realized it wasn’t just me! I work for reproductive justice because Latinas and all women deserve a lot more respect, services, resources, and rights when it comes to creating our own healthiest and best lives.
What are some issues you think you will blog about?
Research! When new information comes out from universities and government agencies about how Latinas are doing in terms of reproductive health, I am looking to let everyone know about it and comment on what it all means from a reproductive justice perspective.
