Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams, Co-Executive Director for Movement Building
My first day as the first (and at the time only) staff member of SACReD was June 20, 2022. Only four days later, we learned that the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision from the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion care across the United States. While this was a landmark ruling, we know that abortion care has never been fully accessible to those who need it the most, especially people of color and poor folks. In the past three years, here is some of what I have learned in this role.
1. We are creative and resilient. We mobilize to take care of each other and form networks for folks to get the care they need.
Time and time again we see what is possible when we mobilize in our communities by disrupting ICE raids; community-based rapid response in the face of hurricanes and fires; abortion funds providing holistic support that includes care-packages, book clubs, & transportation; congregations providing sanctuaries for immigrants, trans folks, reproductive care, and beyond.
2. Creating and holding space for courageous conversations changes the culture. Transformation happens as much, if not more, at the micro-level than at the macro-level.
Small groups using our curriculum have created healing for themselves, supported ballot initiatives, brought their new understandings to volunteer work with movement organizations, and created coalitions to support faith and reproductive freedom.
3. We are not alone. It is good for us to come together, to recognize the ways we are moving in our own local communities. That is how we build power.
Breaking out of siloes to connect with others doing similar work across place and organizations builds possibilities we cannot plan for and that our opposition cannot extinguish. Creativity sparked at SACReD Gatherings can ignite the fires of liberation and justice. When folks bring their disability justice, immigration justice, climate justice, LGBTQIA+ justice, faith values, racial justice, mutual aid, and religious values together, we can only become stronger.
SACReD was born in a pivotal moment. Every day of our existence the Reproductive Justice crisis has intensified. Still, communities come together to meet the moment with compassion and courage. As the threats grow, it is more important than ever to root deep into relationship and to make space for rest. Find your people. This will not end any time soon.
Take a deep breath. We need you for the long haul.