Artist Yvette Molina and her wearable sculptures

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Paul Robeson Galleries and Health Promotion Division Peer Educators will present Reproductive Justice Stories on Tuesday, April 18th at Ruth Bader Ginsberg Hall (15 Washington Street) Rutgers University – Newark Campus. The event runs from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

With the dismantling of Roe V. Wade, artists and activists have hosted abortion story shares as a tool for community-building, healing, and transforming public opinion. Voice and specificity bring us into a state of greater empathy. “Speak Your Truth: Reproductive Justice Stories” continues the abortion stories conversation with performance, art, and storytelling to celebrate women, queer, and trans bodily autonomy.

Health Promotion Division and community partners will present applied theater, visuals, and information about reproductive rights and resources. One on one conversations with peers will be available throughout the event and afterwards for anyone who has questions.

“Voice and specificity bring us into a state of greater empathy,’’ said Rebecca Goyette, Curator of Public Programs, Paul Robeson Galleries at Rutgers-Newark, which is sponsoring the program.

MC and Comedian Molly Gaebe brings us her comedic wit and stories about her work as an abortion doula in NYC, where she shares humor, empathy and reproductive health support. Molly is a writer and performer at Abortion Access Front, a reproductive rights organization that uses comedy to expose anti-choice extremists. With AAF, she goes on tour in the US putting on comedy shows for cities with independent abortion clinics.

Feminist artist Yvette Molina created a Volcano Goddess wearable sculpture that urges us to erupt with free expression. Embedded in the gigantic hoop skirt volcano is the phrase “Speak Your Truth,” which became her moniker while wearing the garment at abortion rallies this past year. The dress fits every one of us with its expandable waistband. Peer advocates will incorporate this bold costume in their theater production. Post-show, the “Speak Your Truth” dress will be available for audiences to try on and snap pictures.

Questions about accessibility and accommodations? Contact Bryant Lebron at [email protected] or 973.353.0707.

Paul Robeson Galleries is located at Express Newark, Rutgers University – Newark (54 Halsey Street, Room 305) in Newark, New Jersey. Established in 1979, the Paul Robeson Galleries’ mission and programming embody Paul Robeson’s life-long commitment to unfettered artistic freedom, cultural democracy, and transnationalism. The Paul Robeson Galleries is dedicated to presenting art and cultural artifacts as well as educational and public programming in the spirit of the diverse metropolitan context of Rutgers University – Newark. This mission is carried out in the presentation of visual arts exhibitions, gallery education, and public programs, in a network of exhibition spaces across the Rutgers University – Newark campus and Express Newark. The Paul Robeson Galleries works collaboratively with individuals and organizations to achieve this mission.

The Paul Robeson Galleries’ programs are supported, in part, by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, The City of Newark (Creative Catalyst Fund), The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and by private donations.  We are also supported by Express Newark, Robeson Campus Center, and the Cultural Programming Committee, Rutgers University-Newark.