Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona’s blog is a volunteer-driven project that would not be possible without the contributions of the following authors:

Anna C. first volunteered for Planned Parenthood as a high school student in the 1990s. Since then, she has received a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Arizona. As an ode to her fascination with microbes, she writes the monthly STD Awareness series, as well as other pieces focusing on health and medicine. Read Anna’s contributions here.

Matt has a background in human services, health disparities research, and administrative support at an academic health sciences center. In addition to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, he volunteers with Read Between the Bars, a program that sends books to people in Arizona’s prisons. In his free time, he enjoys reading and playing Scrabble. Read Matt’s contributions here.

Rachel Port has a master’s degree from the University of Chicago Division of Social Sciences and worked as a psychotherapist for many years. She plays viola in the Sierra Vista Symphony, and also writes for Daily Kos and Yahoo Voices. Read Rachel’s contributions here.

Anne Hopkins has over the course of seven decades experienced most reproductive health issues known to woman: illegal abortion, exposure to gonorrhea, birth control, pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, tubal ligation, ectopic pregnancy, ovariectomy/hysterectomy, menopause, and hormone-replacement therapy. In her spare time, she rose from clerk-typist to corporate executive and did a bunch of open-cockpit biplane flying. She is enraged by today’s assaults on women’s health that her generation fought so hard to guarantee. Read Anne’s contributions here.

Serena Freewomyn is an alumnus of Arizona State University’s Women & Gender Studies Program. In addition to volunteering with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Serena volunteers with Project Linus Tucson, where she makes and delivers blankets to children who are in the hospital or being removed from abusive households. When she’s not busy making quilts or jewelry, Serena writes creative nonfiction and enjoys coffee, chocolate, and macaroons. Read Serena’s contributions here.

Stacey S. works in the wonderful world of finance and has been an active Planned Parenthood volunteer since 2009. A lifelong feminist and advocate for choice, she has served Planned Parenthood as a clinic escort, public policy advocate, community outreach volunteer, and blogger. Read Stacey’s contributions here.

Elizabeth Hanna has been writing for us since 2014. Read Elizabeth’s contributions here.

Gene Twaronite is a Tucson writer, poet, and novelist, and a retired University of Arizona instructional specialist. He is the author of six books, including two juvenile novels and a collection of poetry. Read Gene’s contributions here.

Ellie B. is retired from a nearly four-decade career as a newspaper reporter. A Progressive Democrat, she’s active in party affairs in Tucson. She volunteers for the Sunrise Neighborhood Assistance Program, driving non-driving elders to medical appointments, and helps the homeless through her volunteer work with Sister Jose Women’s Center. She supports Planned Parenthood’s mission because she recalls all too well the dark days before Roe v. Wade. Read Ellie’s contributions here.

Care is a Tucson native and a vocal advocate of the importance of reproductive health care. She has an associate’s degree from Cottey College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona (neither of which she actually uses), is a Peace Corps alum, and works for a refugee resettlement agency. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting and trying to save her little corner of the world, and considers herself to be a tea connoisseur. Read Care’s contributions here.

Daphne T. graduated from Arizona State University in 2016 with a bachelor of science in public services and policy. In 2015 she interned in Washington, D.C., at the National Disability Rights Network. Since 2006, Daphne has volunteered for issues related to women and individuals with disabilities. She has four children: three who are adults and one in high school. Her passion is social justice, equal opportunity, and inclusion for all. She works to accomplish these goals through education, advocacy, and awareness. Read Daphne’s contributions here.

Tori is a secondary teacher who’s been working in Arizona schools since 2004. She is strongly committed to helping people of all ages access the information and services they need to make accurate, informed, and empowered choices for themselves. Read Tori’s contributions here.

Rebecca is a practicing pharmacist and lifelong supporter of women’s rights. When the recent political climate began to threaten Roe v. Wade, she became concerned and volunteered for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. She now enjoys blogging about topics concerning medication, health, and the fight for reproductive justice. Read Rebecca’s contributions here.

Jon Brown started volunteering with Planned Parenthood to receive his internship credit for his degree in journalism and mass communication, which he has since received. He continues volunteering because he realized that sexual and reproductive health and justice issues affect men, too, but there aren’t enough male voices speaking up about them. Read Jon’s contributions here.

Michelle P. is a proud two-time AmeriCorps alumna, feminist, and advocate for women’s rights. She currently sits on the Planned Parenthood Advocates for Reproductive Health and Justice steering committee, and loves getting other young professionals involved in causes related to women’s rights. You’ll never see her without a cup of coffee in her hand, and in her spare time she enjoys traveling and watching Seinfeld re-runs with her husband. Read Michelle’s contributions here.

Malinda B. received a bachelor’s degree in writing and English literature and a master’s degree in creative writing. She followed her education with a career in advertising and direct mail. Her interest in feminism began in high school and continues to this day. She has been an active volunteer with Planned Parenthood since 2008, knocking on doors and dialing at phone banks for pro-choice candidates, acquiring petition signatures to send to our legislators, and “manning” information tables at community events. Read Malinda’s contributions here.