National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

Support for Abortion

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health states on its website,

"For many Latinas, especially those who are poor and uninsured, Roe v. Wade is an abstract concept with little bearing on their reality. That is why NLIRH actively supports the right of every Latina to seek a safe and affordable abortion.

...The Hyde Amendment particularly affects low-income women and women of color. Abortion is an important option for Latinas, research shows that they represent 17-20% of women having abortions. Approximately 25% of pregnancies among Latinas end in abortion, compared to 18% of white women. Without financial support, abortion through safe and legal channels may be inaccessible for low-income and immigrant Latinas."

Personnel

Staff

As at Sep. 15, 2012, the following worked for the Institute:

• Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director
• Maria Elena Perez, Deputy Director
• Elizabeth Barajas-Román, Director of Policy
• Elizabeth Guerra, Director of Community Mobilization
• Delia Montalvo, Associate Director of Development
• Verónica Bayetti Flores, Policy Research Specialist
• Kimberly Inez McGuire, Senior Policy Analyst
• Stephanie Rodriguez, Operations Manager
• Karina Garcia, National Field Organizer
• Natalie D. Camastra, Reproductive Justice Public Policy Fellow
• Angy Rivera, Community Mobilization Intern
• Camino Public Relations, Communications and Media
• Rachel Weintraub, Fundraising Counsel
• Miriam Zoila Pérez, E-Communications Consultant
• Rebecca Pleitez, Policy Analyst

Board

As at Sep. 15, 2012, the following served on the board for the Institute:

• Berta Colón, Board Chair; President, Public Interest Projects
• Destiny Lopez, Board Vice Chair; Director of Latino Engagement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• Charlene Barrientos Ortiz, NLIRH National Advisory Committee Member; University of Colorado at Denver, Colorado School of Public Health
• Raquel F. Donoso, Executive Director, Latino Community Foundation
• Laura M. Esquivel, Principal, Esquivel Strategies
• Elena Gutiérrez, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Latin American/Latino Studies, University of Illinois, Chicago
• Angela Hooton, Vice President for National Programs, National Institute for Reproductive Health
• Pablo Rodriguez, M.D., Physician and CEO, Women's Care Inc.

Other

• Lucy Felix, organizer

Working with Planned Parenthood

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health works closely with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Below is a list of instances demonstrating the closeness of their relationship:

• Destiny Lopez, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health also works as Director of Latino Engagement for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
• Planned Parenthood and the NLIRH co-sponsored a networking breakfast immediately prior to Michelle Obama’s speech at a morning plenary session at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2010 Public Policy Conference.
• On September 12, 2012, Planned Parenthood and the NLIRH co-hosted a reception entitled "Celebrating Poderosas: Champions of Latina Health" during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2010 Public Policy Conference held in Washington, D.C. The reception honored "Latina members of Congress for their tireless support of women’s health and rights." The Congresswomen honored were Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY).