We did it! Abortion is legal in ohio
TUESDAY NIGHT, WE PROTECTED ABORTION FOR ALL OHIOANS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU! Thank you for the many ways you showed up for this campaign with your time, your donations, and your drive to ensure Ohioans’ right to life-saving reproductive health care is protected. WE DID DAMN THE THING!
At the heart of our work, we are powered by the unyielding spirit of Black liberation that has been passed down through generations. It has shaped our culture, brought our communities together, and driven historical changes across society. Tonight, we stand on the shoulders of the Black women who have been fighting for centuries to liberate us from the patriarchy and white supremacy that has been trying to control our bodies and our lives for generations. This victory would not have been possible without them, and their legacy lives on in each of us today.
As the youngest founding organization and one of two Black-led organizations in this campaign, I am so proud to share that the Ohio Women’s Alliance Action Fund team reached out to over 1.3 million voters to bring us to this historic victory.
When I founded OWA in 2019, I did so with a vision for an Ohio where all Black, brown, queer, and gender-expansive people have everything they need to thrive, starting with full access to essential reproductive healthcare. As a Black mother and grandmother with a nearly 30-year reproductive life cycle, including adoption, miscarriage, abortion, and giving birth, abortion care was critical in all of my pregnancies — allowing me to access life-saving care and to be a better parent to my children.
The fight for reproductive freedom is not binary. It’s not a choice between terminating pregnancy and giving birth. Reproductive freedom means complete autonomy and self-determination when making decisions about our physical and mental health, without the threats of state violence, systemic oppression, and societal misogynoir that have a daily, lasting impact on the most marginalized amongst us, especially Black communities.
On Election Night, we took back our power to make the best decisions for ourselves, our families, and our people.
On Election Night, we took a tremendous step toward our liberation as Ohioans, and the liberation of Black and brown communities everywhere.
On Election Night, Ohio was made stronger by this campaign to educate voters about the rights they deserve when it comes to their family’s reproductive health decisions.
I am incredibly proud to have been a part of this campaign that came together because of the collaboration and hard work of everyone across Ohio who knocked a door, made a call, and donated to make this victory possible.
I want to thank our amazing field team including OWA Deputy Director Jordyn Close & Senior Campaign Manager Ana Martinez—who were not only key leaders in this campaign, but who also shared their own personal stories as part of this fight. And I want to thank Manager of Social Impact Lena Collins for leading OWA’s first-ever door program, which far exceeded our goals. I also want to extend gratitude to our Lead Canvassers Alexis Humphries, Sabrina Jordan, Frank Gaj, and Aaron Shinn, and our amazing canvassers and volunteers who were still knocking doors and making calls until 7pm tonight.
Ohio Women’s Alliance will never stop fighting for abortion access, Reproductive Justice, and Black liberation, and it is an honor to celebrate this historic moment of Black joy and Black empowerment with each of you tonight.
ABORTION IS LEGAL IN OHIO!
Rhiannon Carnes
Founder & Executive Director
Ohio Women’s Alliance Action Fund
