Student's Advocacy Earns Trip to White House
October 21, 2022
Vice President Harris Addresses Students
by Debra Daniel
An AAMU student leader's work to protect reproductive rights led to a trip to the
White House.
Vice President Kamala Harris invited 75 student leaders from colleges and universities
across the country to the White House to discuss the fight to protect reproductive
rights. AAMU junior political science major Erianna Sanders was among them. Planned Parenthood
Generation Action nominated the Bradenton, Fla., native after she founded the AAMU
Chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action and worked to get more condom dispensers
on campus.
“I was interning at the AAMU Health and Counseling Center and started a condom handout
after learning there was only one condom dispenser on campus," said Erianna. "I reached
out to Planned Parenthood Southeast and Advocates for Youth Condom Collective for
Madison County, and they provided the supplies. All 12 residence halls on campus
now have condom dispensers, which I consider access to reproductive rights. "
Erianna's mom is a disease intervention specialist back in Manatee County, where she
tests and treats people with infectious diseases. Erianna said the county also ranks
number two for teen pregnancies in Florida.
“If I have this information, then everyone should," commented Erianna. "Black and
brown people don’t usually have proper access to good health care. For the last five
years, I’ve been doing what I can to help.”Erianna flew to Washington, D.C., on October 13 and was in the audience when Vice
President Harris discussed reproductive rights, answered their questions and thanked
them for their important work on- and off-campus.
"It was amazing!" beamed Erianna. "I was thrilled to meet other students just as
passionate as I am about civil rights, reproductive freedom, and access to quality
contraceptives."
More info:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/10/14/readout-of-vice-president-kamala-harriss-meeting-on-reproductive-rights-with-student-leaders/
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/communities/planned-parenthood-generation-action
https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/campaigns/the-condom-collective/