Bridging Generations: Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Sara Jacobs Champion Reproductive Rights

In September 2024, PAI hosted the 2024 “Courageous Conversations: Advocates Advancing Reproductive Rights,” featuring prominent voices in the fight for reproductive justice. The distinguished speakers were Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California’s 12th District and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs of California’s 51st District. PAI President and CEO Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, Innocent Grant from PAI partner Young & Alive in Tanzania and UNFPA’s Deputy Director, North American Representational Office, Rachel Moynihan, also spoke.

Courageous Conversations: Advocates Advancing Reproductive Rights.

Barbara Lee: A Legacy of Advocacy

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been a tireless champion for reproductive rights both in the United States and globally. As the lead sponsor of the Global HER Act, she has worked to permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule—a harmful policy that blocks U.S. global health funding from going to foreign organizations that provide, or even discuss, abortion services.

Her advocacy has centered on ensuring that people everywhere can access comprehensive reproductive health care without interference or restriction. Through decades of leadership in Congress, Lee has consistently advanced legislation that affirms bodily autonomy, gender equality, and reproductive justice as essential human rights.

In recognition of her over two decades of leadership in Congress championing reproductive rights, PAI awarded Lee the 2024 Catalyst Award. During the panel, Lee emphasized the importance of intersectionality in reproductive rights, reinforcing that reproductive justice is not just about choice; it’s about access, equity, and the right to live with dignity.

Sara Jacobs: The New Guard

At 36, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs represents a new generation of lawmakers passionate about reproductive justice. Since assuming office, Jacobs has been a vocal proponent of policies that protect and expand reproductive freedoms. Notably, she introduced the “My Body, My Data Act,” aiming to safeguard personal reproductive health data from misuse.

In her remarks, Jacobs stressed the urgency of adapting reproductive rights advocacy to the digital age. She highlighted the potential risks associated with digital surveillance and data breaches, advocating for robust protections that keep pace with technological advancements. Jacobs noted that reproductive decisions are the most personal and often difficult decisions that a woman can make, and the last thing any woman should be worried about is whether she is under digital surveillance while she’s making these decisions.

The Global Ripple Effect of U.S. Reproductive Policies

During the event, Innocent Grant, a youth advocate from Tanzania and leader with the Young & Alive Initiative, and Rachel Moynihan of UNFPA spotlighted the global stakes of U.S. policy decisions. Grant shared how U.S. policy decisions and their example have an outsized influence across the globe and can constrain access to reproductive health services in countries like Tanzania. His remarks underscored the deep interconnection between U.S. leadership and global reproductive rights progress. Building on this theme, Moynihan emphasized the critical need for international collaboration and consistent investment. She noted that global funding and policy shifts—especially those rooted in U.S. decisions—have far-reaching implications for reproductive health systems worldwide. Both panelists affirmed that reproductive autonomy and access must be protected through cross-border solidarity, sustainable financing, and bold advocacy.

A Unified Front for Reproductive Freedom

In her closing reflections, Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins reaffirmed PAI’s unwavering commitment to reproductive rights, emphasizing that the organization will remain ever-vigilant, collaborative, and hopeful. “We will uphold our values on reproductive rights and deliver on what communities around the world have entrusted PAI to advance—for all people and generations to come.”

The participation of Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Sara Jacobs, alongside Hutchins, Grant and Moynihan underscored a multigenerational and cross-sectoral alliance in the fight for reproductive justice. Their partnership bridges decades of leadership and fresh momentum, blending historical insight with innovative policy solutions. Together, they represent a powerful front—advocating for policies that not only defend existing reproductive rights, but also address emerging threats to autonomy and access, both in the United States and around the world.