LANSING – Some 30 organizations joined Tuesday to announce the new MI Lead Coalition to give voice to women’s issues and concerns as the new Legislature begins its work. The coalition is also working to develop new women leaders in the state.
“Women are consistently facing challenges in their access to health care and financial security,” Marissa Kovach, co-director of the coalition said.
The coalition is intended to be a resource to policy makers in addressing those and other challenges women face, Lara Chelian, the other co-director said.
“We’ve heard from too many women across our state that feel they have no voice or their voice doesn’t matter,” Shirley Zeller with Michigan Business and Professional Women said. “We’re here to give a voice to those individuals and our members.”
General access to health care, and reproductive rights in general, will be a key focus of the coalition, leaders of various member groups said.
“It’s vital for the physician to have a relationship with the patient that’s driven by best practices and devoid of politics,” Viktoria Krajnc with Medical Students for Choice said. “When we empower women and give them this right to choose both, health-wise and economically, the health of Michigan improves.”
Ensuring women’s rights could also be key to continuing the state’s economic growth, Kaitlyn Vitale with Law Students for Reproductive Justice said.
“Michigan’s success rests at least in part with its ability to attract and retain young talent,” Vitale said. “Where will my talents be best put to use? Where will my rights be protected? When a state’s hostile to women’s rights, young people notice.”
The group will also be working to develop more women leaders in the state.
“Michigan needs more women who understand that the legislation and policies are not going to change unless we take the call to action,” Kindra Speech with the Center for Education of Women and the Michigan Partners Project said.
Speech said she received that call to action after being diagnosed with cancer and then losing her job and health care. “I was diagnosed, then I was distressed, now I’m determined,” she said.
Kovach said it is not, though, the goal of the group to develop women who will run against sitting legislators or to push election for any particular party.
“We feel it’s very important that we work with every legislator in Michigan,” she said. “But we want to lift up every person who wants to be part of MI Lead.”
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