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From high school students to senior citizens, our diverse group of volunteers donates thousands of hours of time and energy each year.
While they are all unique, they share a strong commitment to the Planned Parenthood mission. Here are what some of our volunteers and interns say about their experience at Planned Parenthood: |
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FEATURED ACTIVIST: Winter 2010 |  In Her Own Words...Jennifer Lewis
I am a UW-Milwaukee student working on my Master’s Degree of Social Work with an emphasis in macro practice. During my undergrad coursework, I became increasingly interested in public policy, advocacy, and non-profit work and I knew that during my graduate field placement I wanted to gain experience in those areas. I always thought Planned Parenthood would be a great place for me to do an internship because of my interest in the issues and services Planned Parenthood supports and provides to communities and patients: access to reproductive health care and services, community education, and legislative advocacy. When meeting with my MSW advisors regarding field placement, I made it known how much I wanted to complete my placement with Planned Parenthood….and here I am!
I have been an intern in the Public Affairs department since September and right from the beginning had amazing opportunities to get involved with issues that are so important like responsible sex education and health care reform. I have participated in numerous phone banks, as well as literature drops, canvasses, and outreach events in the Milwaukee community and at UWM with the student group, Advocates for Choice.
The highlight of my internship so far was testifying in support of the Healthy Youth Act before the Assembly Committee on Education in a packed hearing room at the Capitol. Another exciting experience was being able to board a bus with other Wisconsin activists and travel to DC for a national lobby day and rally in support of health care reform. It was a long bus ride and an action-packed day, but the experience was amazing and a great opportunity to learn more about policy and legislative advocacy.
I plan on interning with Planned Parenthood until I graduate at the end of 2010, and am so excited to see what this year has in store! |
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| Carrie, Milwaukee | | | Attending the senate committee hearing on the Women's Health and Safety Act opened my eyes to the strong opposition we face as women. Seeing so many anti-choice people and hearing their testimony made me remember that there are a lot of people who do not believe in comprehensive affordable health care for all women. I left this hearing with a renewed perspective on the urgency and importance that surrounds everything Planned Parenthood does. |
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| Lainie, Milwaukee | | | I recently attended my first legislative hearing for the Women’s Health and Safety Act and was inspired by the powerful experience. It was quite shocking to hear how many people think they ought to make health decisions for everyone else simply based upon personal belief, emotion and on false studies. The hearing reminded me why it is important to advocate and support the health of women and children in our state. |
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| Jennifer, Madison | | | I volunteer at Planned Parenthood as part of my MSW curriculum at UW Madison…. I am focusing on women’s health policy, and I am passionate about choice issues. When I thought about what kind of agency would bring my interests together and give me "real world" experience, the answer was clear: Planned Parenthood. |
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| Chris, West Allis | | | At Planned Parenthood I have learned a lot about… an organization that truly helps families and cares about women’s health issues, whether they have insurance or not. Before this last election, I tried to work as much as I could on phone banks and computer updating. I really felt a part of something I believe in. I was also a part of the team that helped to spread the word to many others about candidates that support the issues that are important to me. It was exciting! |
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| Jeannine, Milwaukee | | | Reproductive justice is important for me personally. The reason I volunteer with Planned Parenthood isn’t all about me, though. Every signature I collect and every phone call I make to a Wisconsin voter helps to ensure reproductive freedom and healthcare choices for all Wisconsin women and families. As a woman and as a citizen my health and the health and well being of my fellow Wisconsinites is critical to the overall economic, social, and political welfare of our state and our country. |
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| Mary Ellen, Madison | | | I was alarmed by the assault on reproductive freedom launched by elected officials and felt that the public was, to a large extent, ignorant of this or felt that it was not important to them or their family. During the last election I volunteered at the Farmer's Market information table and distributed literature in Madison and other communities. |
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| Noah, Milwaukee | | | There is so much societal injustice; it’s hard to know where to start trying to make an impact. The fact that women are still treated like second-class citizens as politicians attempt to pass laws about their health and bodies flabbergasts and angers me.... How could I look at myself in the mirror in the evening if I never spent any part of the day trying to do something positive? |
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By volunteering or interning with Planned Parenthood you can help protect and expand access to basic health care for our patients, and all women. |
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