Story #45: Loretta J. Ross on Reproductive Justice

“People who are afraid of struggling with difference don’t belong in the Human Rights Movement...when many different people with many different thoughts move in the same direction…that’s a movement!” - Loretta J. Ross

On October 14th, 2022, Loretta Ross, distinguished activist, author, and scholar, delivered the 16th “Call of Service” Lecture at Harvard Lowell Lecture Hall. This was the first lecture in person after two years of remote lectures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Ross’s powerful lecture focused on reproductive justice, women's rights, and social justice. She discussed her upbringing and experiences that directly tied into her passion for social justice and advocated for a holistic understanding of reproductive issues that encompasses not just the right to choose, but also the socio-economic conditions affecting women’s lives, particularly those from marginalized communities. Her work has been instrumental in redefining the conversation around reproductive rights to include broader social justice issues, making her a key figure in contemporary feminist discourse.

Check out a full video of Dr. Ross’s lecture here.