I was putting my youngest daughter to bed last week when my phone buzzed with the alert: “Leaked Supreme Court Draft Would Overturn Roe v. Wade.” Like many of you, this was not unexpected news, but my body still responded as though it was a shock - my daughter’s laughter faded under the rushing in my ears and I was painfully aware of my heart beating violently inside my chest. The possibility that my daughters would grow up in a post-Roe world and all the dangers that presents for them was suddenly very real.

Kansans had already started the fight for reproductive rights with the upcoming special election and constitutional amendment this August, and now we are on the front lines of a national movement to protect bodily autonomy and access to safe and legal abortions. Kansas is one of the few states that has constitutionally protected reproductive rights, but if the vote goes the wrong way on August 2nd that all changes. Instead, the Kansas state legislature will have the ability to pass law prohibiting all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. And have no doubt, they will do that at their first opportunity.

On June 4th, and every day between now and August 2nd, I walk for reproductive rights. I walk for my daughters, for you, for all the Kansans who will show up in historic numbers to vote NO in August and preserve our constitutional right. 

Will you join me?

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Watch Laurel talk about why she walks for reproductive rights here.