Hampshire College, reproductive rights, and the very hungry activist

Amber Wobschall is Assistant Director of Affiliate and National Programs for NARAL Pro-Choice America

Hey, I'm Amber and I've worked at NARAL Pro-Choice America for more than five years. You may know me from my antics on YouTube dressed up as a pro-choice voting booth.

This past weekend, I made my way to Hampshire College for the Civil Liberties and Public Policy program's annual conference on reproductive rights. On a side note, the campus is home to a museum dedicated to the author of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Awesome.

Anyway, one of the best things about my job is attending conferences and events like these and getting to see my friends from our partner organizations - folks from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Choice USA and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts are in this fine photo with me:

This is the second year in a row that I have attended this particular conference- learning from workshop presenters, meeting other great pro-choice activists, and spreading the word about NARAL Pro-Choice America's work. There were a wide variety of workshops including Art and Activism, Empowering Birth, Healthcare Politics, Careers in the Movement, and Organizing for Reproductive Justice in Immigrant Communities.

One of the most inspiring speakers I heard from I will not name. I will not name her because she is an abortion provider. She and her family are the targets of violence, intimidation, and harassment in their community. She had to ask the crowd not to take her picture, as it could be used to target her. As she pointed out in a joke that I wish she did not have to make, "It's hard to accessorize a bullet proof vest" on your way to work every day.

The story of this provider inspired me, reminded me why I need to keep doing my job and lit that fire in my belly all over again. As did Loretta Ross, Ellen Story, Byllye Avery, and other presenters I heard throughout the weekend.

If you were at the conference too, I want to know what you thought. Please share in the comments section below.