Students can become advocates outside the usual structure of government, according to former D.C. Planned Parenthood President Karen Mulhouse.
Mulhouse spoke Thursday evening during a School of Public Affairs and Women's Initiative-sponsored event about the politics of advocacy and women's reproductive rights. She said she was rather "na've" when introduced to the political process and she quickly learned the ropes during a time when reproductive rights were coming to a head.
"[Activists should] know the issues, influence the elected officials and, if it is not effective, hire someone who can," Mulhouse said.
As a high school science teacher, Mulhouse said female students discussed their sexual and reproductive concerns with her. The 1960s provided little to no free and public education about sex and reproduction. She said she felt called to consult and address this issue.
Mulhouse said she worries about men affecting women's reproductive decisions.
"If you let government climb into our bedrooms, you relinquish your ability to have a pregnancy," she said.
Kathryn Baxter, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said she was interested in learning about strong, empowering women who lived during the 1960s and 1970s, a time when women's reproductive rights were gaining national prominence.
"Our generation is slacking when it comes to issues important to women," Baxter said.
During a time when "women followed their husbands," Mulhouse said she provided extensive counseling to nonprofit organizations like the Problem Pregnancy Counseling, founded the Women's Information Network and was executive director of the National Abortion Rights League.
Alyssa Twomey, a sophomore in SPA, said she enjoyed Mulhouse's talk on nontraditional tactics of grassroots organizations.
"It's not that hard for people on campus to create publicity," Twomey said. "Mulhouse, however, spoke about the steps needed to take to change the issue at hand."
Chad Aronson, a freshman in SPA, said her speech gave him a new perspective on political activism.
"I really enjoyed what I heard," Aronson said. "I found her story fascinating as it occurred in the middle of such controversy and right down to the Supreme Court"
