Emma Henry

Through the Chuck Green Fellowship, I had the opportunity to spend the summer at Gender Justice working with their Advocacy Team on transgender equity work, with particular regard to the inclusion of transgender athletes. As the other fellows can attest, I love spending time outdoors or exercising; these are activities I view as essential, so they should be accessible for anyone who would like, no matter their identity. When my supervisor, Grace Reardon, approached me in the spring about a discrimination case they were working on in Minnesota, I knew this would be the project for me. Throughout the summer, I worked on outreach projects to connect with people in the Twin Cities to sign a letter to express their support for trans athletes, plan and co-facilitate a training for abortion advocates to become more confident advocating for transgender people, and write op-eds to continue my advocacy even after the end of the fellowship. 

What I did not expect to be part of my fellowship was witnessing the community mourning the loss of a substantial advocate for Reproductive Freedom through an act of political violence. However, I then saw a community collectively grieve, reconnect with one another, create space for others in the movement to grieve, and then act for those whose lives were lost. There is so much intentionality in this organization throughout Minnesota and North Dakota to connect with people who are impacted by discrimination and to show them love and grace. I am truly grateful to Gender Justice for allowing me to grow, grieve, and love with you this summer.