Arkansas State University’s Feminist Union (FemU) honored the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, on the week of its initial landmark ruling by educating students about reproductive rights and care.

The FemU discussed ways to continue the pro-choice movement after its reversal. The Supreme Court passed Roe v. Wade  Jan. 22, 1973, and overturned it 49 years later on June 6, 2022.

“It’s a shame, Northeast Arkansas is barely looked at when it comes to reproductive freedoms and reproductive justices,” Christina Smith, president of FemU, said. “I am trying to help educate students on my own when it comes to reproductive freedoms and justices.” 

Smith, a junior history and communications double major from Cabot, Arkansas, said they want students to educate and spread awareness about abortion access by making posters and placing them across campus.

FemU’s meeting occurred two days after Roe v Wade’s initial ruling, Jan. 24. Smith

said the original plan for the meeting fell in November or December. 

FemU partnered with a non-profit organization, Advocates for Youth, to collaborate during their “Abortion Out Loud Week.” FemU received stickers, posters, shirts and general information about abortion access to prepare for this week.

“Things came up and we weren’t able to during Abortion Out Loud Week, so we decided to reserve it for this week,” Smith said. “We wanted to do it on Roe v. Wade day, but our meetings land on Wednesday, so we decided not to change it.”

Kai Lawless, a first-year biology major from West Fork, Arkansas is the club’s treasurer. Lawless joined FemU last year.

Lawless worked to advertise the event in the lobby of the Reng Student Union to promote the message of reproductive justice as they tabled alongside other organizations for Join In January, where the registered student organizations showcase their club and or organization to the student body to recruit new members.

“Supporting, spreading awareness and education is crucial,” Lawless said. “It involves supporting women’s voices, dismantling gender-based discrimination and fostering a society where everyone, regardless of gender, is afforded equal opportunities and respect.”

Lawless joined the new members of the FemU in making posters to place around campus. 

“The poster I made with my friend Abby Bolton was about the ways to access abortion in and around Arkansas,” Lawless said. “It was more of an overview on different ways to be able to get an abortion and what to watch out for.”

Dean McDonald, a graduate student studying public administration from Paragould, attended his second FemU meeting. 

McDonald said he supports the group raising awareness about various issues, especially reproductive freedoms. 

“Arkansas, one of the most extreme states has not only made abortion illegal but also taken away any exceptions for rape, incest and several instances of the life of the mother. This is just inhumane and wrong,” McDonald said. 

Smith said she immerses herself in the political sphere in the Jonesboro community, as they currently work as a campaign manager for Daniel Parker, who plans to run for state representative. 

Smith said they plan to work alongside other local candidates who are openly pro-choice to get abortion back on the ballot.

The FemU meeting also discussed what to do in the upcoming election regarding abortion access. 

With Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approving a proposal that would backpedal the state’s abortion ban, McDonald and Smith plan to collect the 95,000 signatures at the Craighead County Courthouse to “hopefully get abortion back on the ballot.”

”People can still access abortion, people can still have access to the reproductive resources they need. They just need to know where to look,” Smith said. “We can actually do something to get abortion legal in Arkansas now with this ballot initiative. It’s important to get them out there.”

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