The last year has been devastating. Even though advocates in the reproductive health, rights, and justice movement have been sounding the alarm for years – decades, even – about what the fall of Roe v. Wade would mean, I wasn’t prepared for what that would actually look like. But as we mark one year since the Dobbs decision, I am choosing – despite everything – to lean into optimism, to believe in and build toward a future where abortion is truly available to everyone.

Over the past couple of years, the Trump administration has aggressively sidelined science in policymaking – whether by suppressing or misrepresenting evidence, undermining federal grants, or selecting unqualified and conflicted appointees to lead agencies and programs. As a result, our nation’s public health and well-being are suffering.