Opportunity to Help Pregnant Women & MLK Service on Monday

January 15, 2025


You have a unique opportunity to help determine if our community needs a freestanding birthing center. Your participation will have a big impact on pregnant women and their families. Please read below to learn how you can take part.

I spoke with one of my legislative colleagues about feminism, gender equality, reproductive rights, and so much more on my weekly radio show. Keep scrolling to listen to my entire show with my wonderful guest Rep. Jillian Gilchrest.

On Monday, the nation will celebrate and honor the life of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. You are invited to join a service in Willimantic with community members. I will share the details of the event below.

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Opportunity to Participate in Birthing Center Study
  • Let's Talk About It: Rep. Jillian Gilchrest
  • Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
 
Opportunity to Participate in
Birthing Center Study
You are invited to take part in focus groups that will ultimately help determine if there is a need and financial viability of a freestanding birthing center in Windham.

You may recall, Windham Hospital shut down its labor and delivery services in 2023. Guidehouse, a global healthcare consulting firm, has already launched an independent study and assessment.
If you’re interested in playing an active role in the process, you can join in-person focus group meetings from Tuesday, February 4 – Thursday, February 6. Please complete this short survey by Wednesday, January 29 to ensure you meet eligibility requirements.

The focus groups will provide meaningful feedback from Windham residents, community partners, and providers, on their perspective on the current need for and feasibility of a freestanding birthing center.
Clikc here to contact Guidehouse with questions
 
Let's Talk About It: Rep. Jillian Gilchrest
State Representative Jillian Gilchrest joined my weekly radio show, “Let’s Talk About It,” to discuss her work at the Capitol and her new book. Rep. Gilchrest has been a leader on gender equality, human services, reproductive rights, and many other issues as an advocate and legislator.
 
Rep. Gilchrest’s book, “The Feminist Advocacy: Championing Gender and Social Justice,” takes a deep dive into feminist advocacy efforts. Gilchrest shares her journey, identifying as a feminist and hopes the book will inspire and encourage others to fight for equal rights for a woman’s right to choose. CLICK HERE to learn more about her book, which was published by an independent and women-owned company.
I was happy to support Rep. Gilchrest at her book signing event.
Gilchrest also serves as the chair of the Human Services Committee where she is working to improve Medicaid rates for constituents across Connecticut. According to Gilchrest, our state has not increased those rates for many years, and it affects people’s ability to access the healthcare they need. The rates also impact a variety of health care professionals who are not receiving the wage they deserve.
 
We also discussed the work Gilchrest does as co-chair of the Reproductive Rights Caucus, which is designed to ensure that every person in Connecticut can obtain the full scale of reproductive healthcare they need. She also helped pass a law allowing victims of sexual assault to have access to emergency contraception at any licensed healthcare facility.
 
Gilchrest shared more about her roots in Willimantic, how she got her start in politics, her impressive work at the Capitol, and much more. Please click on the video below to listen to the entire show.
Rep. Jillian Gilchrest discusses her new book and work at the Capitol.
 
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary legacy of a leader whose vision of justice, equality, and nonviolent resistance transformed our nation and inspired the world. Dr. King's unwavering commitment to civil rights reminds us of the power of courage, compassion, and collective action to create meaningful change.
Let us honor his memory by recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of equity, inclusion, and unity in our communities. You're invited to join the Windham/Willimantic chapter of the NAACP for a service honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Light on the Hill Church at 90 South Park Street in Willimantic.
Together we can continue to advance the dream Dr. King so eloquently shared - a world where freedom and dignity are the birthright of all people.