We are pleased to see an increasing number of organizations and businesses recognizing the holiday, in addition to expanded Juneteenth programming around the state.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, sometimes called Emancipation Day, is the day Black Americans have marked for decades to commemorate June 19th, 1865 — two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln — when word that slavery had been abolished reached the final state in the Union. It is a celebration of the effective end of slavery, a change to remember and reflect on the oppression that enslaved people endured, even after slavery was technically outlawed — and a powerful reminder that words and proclamations of equality are never enough without dedicated action.

How is the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation marking Juneteenth?

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation celebrates Juneteenth using our Voice, Money and Power:

• Voice — We use our voice to uplift and amplify New Hampshire’s Black community and organizations like Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, who hosts Juneteenth events across the state.
• Money — Our Women and Girls of Color Fund, a first-of-its-kind fund in the state to support work led by and serving women and girls of color in New Hampshire has issued eight grants, funding seven organizations or projects who align with the goals of his Fund. Juneteenth falls just a few weeks before the next deadline for grant applications: July 1st! Please spread the word and encourage projects and initiatives led by and serving women and girls of color in New Hampshire to apply for our next round of grants from this Fund. More information here: https://nhwomensfoundation.org/women-girls-of-color-fund/
• Power — While Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, some organizations and businesses still do not recognize Juneteenth (and New Hampshire is among the states who do not recognize it, either!). As a statewide community foundation, we recognize the privilege of being able to close our office for a day. We hope that by proudly joining the growing list of Granite State organizations and businesses in publicly recognizing Juneteenth, we are using our collective power to elevate this important holiday.

How can you meaningfully participate in and observe Juneteenth?

We encourage you to recognize Juneteenth however you can, by closing your organization or place of business in observance of the day, by donating to organizations led by and serving BIPOC folks in New Hampshire, by shopping at Black-owned businesses, and by reflecting on our shared history and the work we have yet to do to achieve true liberation for all.

Learn more about this year’s Juneteenth celebrations across New Hampshire, and how you can participate:

• Black Heritage Trail of NH — Juneteenth 2024: https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/juneteenth-celebration-2024/ 
• Additional Juneteenth celebrations across New Hampshire: https://www.vermontpublic.org/npr-news/2022-06-13/juneteenth-celebrations-are-expanding-across-n-h-this-year

The post Recognizing Juneteenth appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

In New Hampshire, women make 75 cents on every dollar a white man makes, meaning there is a 25% gender pay gap in the Granite State. Help us close the gap by donating $25 to the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation on Equal Pay Day.

All money raised for Equal Pay Day will go to grants for economic security and financial literacy programs for women and girls in New Hampshire. What better way to recognize Women’s History Month than to help close this historical gap!

The post Equal Pay Day — The Gender Wage Gap in 2024 appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

As always, make sure you check with your city clerk’s office for all official and up-to-date information! We’ve included contact information for City Clerks here to make it as easy as possible.

• Berlin
• Claremont
• Concord
• Dover
• Franklin
• Keene
• Laconia
• Lebanon
• Manchester
• Nashua
• Portsmouth
• Rochester
• Somersworth

Berlin

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: September 25 – October 9

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor
• City Councilor (4)
• School Board (4)
• Library Trustee (3)
• Moderator (4)
• Ward Clerk (4)
• Supervisor of the Checklist (12)

City Clerk: Shelli Fortin, Phone Number: (603) 752-2340, Email: sfortin@berlinnh.gov

Claremont

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: September 20 – September 29

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor 
• Assistant Mayor 
• At-Large Councilor (4) 
• Councilor (1 for each of 3 Wards) 
• Moderator (1 for each of 3 Wards) 
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 3 Wards) 
• Supervisor of the Checklist (3 for each of 3 Wards)

City Clerk: Gwendolyn Melcher, (603) 542-7003, Email: cityclerk@claremontnh.com

Concord

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: September 8 – September 18 (File By Petition: September 22)

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor
• At-Large Councilors (4 total, 4 year terms, Two are up for election in 2023)
• Ward Councilors (1 for each of 10 Wards) 
• Ward Moderator (1 for each of 10 Wards) 
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 10 Wards) 
• Supervisor of the Checklist (1 for each of 10 wards) 
• Board of Education (3 up for election in 2023, 1 each from District A (Wards 1-4), District B (Wards 5-7), and District C (Wards 8-10)

City Clerk: Janice Bonenfant, (603) 225-8500, Email: cityclerk@concordnh.gov

Dover

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: September 11 – September 22

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor
• At-Large City Councilor (2)
• At-Large School Board member (1) 
• City Councilor (1 for each of 6 Wards)  
• School Board member (1 for each of 6 Wards)  
• Supervisor of the Checklist (1 for each of 6 Wards)
• Moderator (1 for each of 6 Wards)
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 6 Wards)
• Selectmen (3 for each of 6 Wards)

City Clerk: Susan Mistretta, (603) 516-6018, Email: s.mistretta@dover.nh.gov

Franklin

General Election: October 3, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: August 16 – August 25

Positions on the Ballot: 

• Mayor
• City Councilor (1 for each of 3 Wards)
• School Board (1 for each of 3 Wards)
• Ward Clerk (Ward 3 only)
• Supervisor of the Checklist (1 for each Ward, 2 positions for Ward 3 in 2023)

City Clerk: Michelle Stanyan, (603) 934-3109, Email: mstanyan@franklinnh.org

Keene

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: October 3, 2023 (Only if there are more than 2 candidates running for Mayor or Councilor)

Filing Period: August 16 – September 5

Positions on the Ballot: 

• Mayor
• Ward Councilors (1 for each of 5 Wards)
• Councilors at Large (5)
• Ward Moderator (1 for each of 5 Wards) 
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 5 Wards)
• Ward Selectmen (3 each of 5 Wards)
• Checklist Supervisor (1 for each of 5 wards) 

City Clerk: Patricia Little, (603) 352-0133 ext 2, email: plittle@keenenh.gov

Laconia

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: September 12 *Tentative date* (For the offices of Mayor and Ward Councilors, a primary election will be held when three or more declarations of candidacy are filed. If two or less declarations of candidacy are filed, the City Clerk shall deem the primary election unnecessary, and all names will appear on the municipal election ballot. For all other elected offices there shall be no primary election held.)

Filing Period: August 2 – August 11

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor
• Ward Councilor (1 for each of 6 wards)
• Ward Moderator (1 for each of 6 wards)
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 6 wards)
• Ward Selectman (1 for each of 6 wards)
• Supervisor of the checklist (1 for each of 6 wards)
• School Board (1 for Ward 4 and 1 for Ward 5)
• Police Commission (2 positions for all Wards)

City Clerk: (603) 527-1265, Email: cityclerk@laconianh.gov

Manchester

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: September 19 

Filing Period: July 10 – 21

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor
• Alderman At – Large (2)
• School Committeeman At-Large (2)
• Alderman (1 for each of the 12 Wards)
• School Committee member (1 for each of the 12 Wards)
• Moderator (1 for each of the 12 Wards)
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of the 12 Wards)
• Selectman (3 for each of the 12 Wards)

City Clerk: (603) 624-6455 Email: cityclerk@manchesternh.gov

Nashua

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: September 12 (For mayor position only)

Filing Period: August 19 – September 8

Positions on the Ballot:

• Mayor
• Alderman At-Large (3)
• Ward Alderman (1 each for 9 Wards)
• Board of Education (5)
• Fire Commissioner (3)
• Board of Public Works (2)
• Moderator (1 each for 9 Wards)
• Ward Clerk (1 each for 9 Wards)
• Selectmen (3 each for 9 Wards)

City Clerk: Daniel Healey, (603) 589-3010, email: CityClerkDept@nashuanh.gov

Portsmouth

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: August 28 – September 12

Positions on the Ballots:

• City Councilors At – Large (9)
• School Board (4)
• Fire Commissioner (1)
• Police Commissioner (1)
• Registrar At – Large (1)
• Moderator (1 each for 5 Wards)
• Clerk (1 each for 5 Wards)
• Selectmen (3 each for 5 Wards)
• Ward Registrar (1 each for 5 Wards)

City Clerk: Kelli Barnaby, (603) 610-7245, email: cityclerk@cityofportsmouth.com

Rochester

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: September 8 – September 25

Positions on the Ballots:

• Mayor
• City Council (2 for each of 6 Wards)
• School Board At – Large (1)
• School Board (2 each for 6 Wards)
• Police Commissioner (1 for Wards 1 and 2, 1 for Wards 3 and 4, and 1 for Wards 5 and 6)
• Moderator (1 for each of 6 Wards)
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 6 Wards)
• Supervisor of the Checklist (1 for each of 6 Wards)
• Selectman (1 for each of 6 Wards)

City Clerk: (603) 332-2130, email: cityclerk@rochesternh.gov

Deputy City Clerk: Cassie Givara, cassie.givara@rochesternh.gov

Somersworth

General Election: November 7, 2023

Primary Election: No Primary Election

Filing Period: September 13 – September 28

Positions on the Ballots:

• Mayor
• City Council (1 each for 5 Wards)
• City Council At-Large (4)
• School Board (1 for each of 5 Wards)
• School Board At-Large (4)
• Moderator (1 for each of 5 Wards)
• Ward Clerk (1 for each of 5 Wards)
• Selectmen (3 for each of 5 Wards)

City Clerk: Kristen LaPanne, (603) 692-9511, email: klapanne@somersworthnh.gov

If you’re a woman thinking of running for office now or in the future, or know women who should run for office, check out our Women Run! trainings and resources. 

The post 2023 NH City Elections — Information for Candidates appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

A BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN MATERNAL HEALTH AND CHILD CARE

We are thrilled that the legislature passed and Governor Sununu signed into law a budget that makes significant investments in maternal health and child care. The Women’s Foundation was proud to support inclusion of the ‘MOMnibus Act’ in the budget which expanded Medicaid pregnancy eligibility from two months postpartum to 12 months postpartum; provided Medicaid coverage for lactation support, doula services and donor milk bank and much more. And we were proud to support ‘The Child Care for Working Families Act’ which makes child care more affordable for low-income families, improves the funding formula for child care centers, and creates a child care worker sign-on and retention bonus program. 

Women make the economy work. But pregnant women and women with kids need access to maternal health care through the postpartum period to remain healthy and they need reliable access to affordable child care to return to the work that makes our communities thrive. 

DEFENDING ABORTION ACCESS (HB 88, SB 181, HB 271, and HB 224)

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the federal right to abortion, leaving abortion rights up to the states. Abortion is legal in New Hampshire, but in June 2021, Governor Sununu signed the first abortion ban in modern history, banning abortion after 24 weeks. The Granite State is the only state in New England that has NOT protected the right to abortion in state law. The Women’s Foundation supported several bills to codify the right to abortion and limit the harm done by the current 24 week abortion ban:

• The Women’s Foundation supported the “Access to Abortion Act” which would have codified the right to abortion in New Hampshire up to 24 weeks. 

• We again supported the full repeal of the 24-week abortion ban. 

• We advocated to reduce the harm done by the abortion ban through a bill that would have eliminated the criminal and civil penalties that target providers and creates a chilling effect in the medical field. 

Many legislators were clearly impacted by Granite Staters’ widely popular support for abortion rights, and we are encouraged by very narrow votes in the House that got us close to these goals, but were all ultimately unsuccessful. The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation will continue to advocate for policies that protect abortion rights. 

ENSURING ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS (SB 209, HB 421, and HB 129)

Women in our state, county, and juvenile correctional facilities deserve free, timely, and reliable access to menstrual products that provide basic human dignity without concern for safety or stigma. Currently, some county jails provide insufficient access to menstrual hygiene products. The Women’s Foundation was proud to champion the bill, signed into law by Governor Sununu, that brings county jails and youth detention facilities up to a reasonable standard. 

In 2019, the Women’s Foundation supported a bill to ensure that public Middle and High Schools offered menstrual hygiene products in girls and gender-neutral bathrooms. This law reduced stigma, lost class and school time, and contributed to greater access for menstrual equity. This session, an effort to water down the existing law was thwarted by the Women’s Foundation and many returning advocates from 2019 to make sure girls have free and equitable access to menstrual hygiene products. 

STATE/LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO THE CHILD CARE CRISIS (SB 221)

We know the women who serve their communities at the local level are looking for ways to make child care more accessible and affordable in their communities. The Women’s Foundation was proud to support SB 221 that would enable municipalities to opt-in to a program to refund child care providers certain local property taxes. Unfortunately this bill did not pass. 

INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS (SB 151)

Girls have higher rates of anxiety and depression than boys and also have higher rates of considering suicide and making a plan to commit suicide. The Women’s Foundation supported a bill championed by the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council that would require schools to provide mental health education while allowing schools the flexibility to determine the specifics of the instruction and curriculum. This bill passed the Senate but unfortunately did not make it past the House. 

DEFENDING TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS AND CORRECTIONS (HB 396)

An extreme bill was introduced this session that would identify a “state interest” in binary sex compromising the inclusion and safety for trans, nonbinary and intersex communities in academics, bathrooms and locker rooms, and corrections and lead to potential violations of Title IX. We strongly opposed this bill and were pleased that this bill failed.

*** 

We were pleased to work collaboratively with newly elected and incumbent legislators on policies that improve the lives of women and girls in New Hampshire this session, and look forward to making more progress next year. 

Keep up with all of our legislative work on our Legislation Page.

The post 2023 Legislative Wrap-Up appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

Our core values, established and defined over the last few years, through a pandemic and racial reckoning, include Bold Leadership, Equity and Justice. The vote to add Juneteenth to our list of recognized holidays was unanimous and in alignment with our organization’s values.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, sometimes called Emancipation Day, is the day Black Americans have marked for decades to commemorate June 19th, 1865 — two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln — when word that slavery had been abolished reached the final state in the Union. It is a celebration of the effective end of slavery, a change to remember and reflect on the oppression that enslaved people endured, even after slavery was technically outlawed — and a powerful reminder that words and proclamations of equality are never enough without dedicated action.

How is the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation marking Juneteenth?

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation celebrates Juneteenth using our Voice, Money and Power:

• Voice — We use our voice to uplift and amplify New Hampshire’s Black community and organizations like Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, who hosts Juneteenth events across the state. 
• Money —Last year, we launched the Women and Girls of Color Fund, a first-of-its-kind fund in the state to support work led by and serving women and girls of color in New Hampshire. To date, we have funded 4 organizations who align with the goals of his Fund. Juneteenth falls just a few weeks before the next deadline for grant applications: July 1st! Please spread the word and encourage projects and initiatives led by and serving women and girls of color in New Hampshire to apply for our next round of grants from this Fund. More information here: https://nhwomensfoundation.org/women-girls-of-color-fund/ 
• Power — While Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2022, some organizations and businesses still do not recognize Juneteenth. As a statewide community foundation, we recognize the privilege of being able to close our office for a day. We hope that by proudly joining the growing list of Granite State organizations and businesses in publicly recognizing Juneteenth, we are using our collective power to elevate this important holiday.

How can you meaningfully participate in and observe Juneteenth?

We encourage you to recognize Juneteenth however you can, by closing your organization or place of business in observance of the day, by donating to organizations led by and serving BIPOC folks in New Hampshire, by shopping at Black-owned businesses, and by reflecting on our shared history and the work we have yet to do to achieve true liberation for all.

Learn more about this year’s Juneteenth celebrations across New Hampshire, and how you can participate:

• Black Heritage Trail of NH — Juneteenth 2023: https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/juneteenth-celebration-2023/ 
• Additional Juneteenth celebrations across New Hampshire: https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2023-06-15/juneteenth-new-hampshire-2023-events

The post Observing Juneteenth 2023 appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

Every two years, New Hampshire writes a new budget for the state. The budget represents our collective priorities and values. What, as Granite Staters, do we care about? What should we fund? Who should we prioritize? The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation prioritizes investments in women and girls.

This year, the Women’s Foundation, along with parents, child care providers, health care providers and businesses, are advocating for a New Hampshire budget that values caregivers and women with kids by: giving women enrolled in Medicaid access to health care for a year postpartum and access to doulas, lactation consultants and donor milk banks; expanding access to the child care scholarship program; and providing workforce supports to child care workers.

Women make the economy work, but we must invest in women’s health and in the child care infrastructure so women can keep supporting their families and local economies.

When faced with child care issues, mothers with young children arrange reductions in their work hours that are four to five times greater than the reductions arranged by fathers. Without access to reliable child care, women leave the workforce.

If child care can be found, it’s often unaffordable. In our latest research publication, The Status of Women in New Hampshire, 2023, we found that the annual median cost for an infant in a Granite State child care center is $13,250, a cost that would consume 11% of the median income of a married couple, and a staggering 55% of a single mother’s median income. Child care providers cannot raise wages for their employees without passing that cost on to families. The Child Care for Working Families Act invests in our child care infrastructure to address these issues.

Currently, women who are enrolled in Medicaid under pregnancy eligibility lose coverage after two months postpartum. Women need access to preventive, acute, mental health and substance use treatment long after two months postpartum. The MOMnibus Act would extend coverage to 12 months postpartum, reducing maternal mortality and increasing rates of treatment for things like maternal depression. The bill would also provide access to doula services, lactation services and donor milk banks.

The good news is that the New Hampshire Senate passed the MOMnibus Act and Child Care for Working Families Act separate from the budget earlier this year. The Women’s Foundation is grateful to the Senate for their support. We’re at the finish line now. If the Senate includes these investments in the budget, the House agrees and the Governor signs the budget, New Hampshire will have a budget which prioritizes moms, women and families more than any budget in recent memory. It takes engaged stakeholders (including vocal moms, dads and child care workers) and a real bipartisan effort to make these investments possible. We’re grateful to the legislators who’ve had mom’s backs all session.

Let your local elected representatives and senator know how you feel about a budget that invests in women and their kids. Now let’s get a mom-friendly budget passed!

This op-ed was originally published on SeacoastOnline.com:

https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/05/31/commentary-women-make-the-nh-economy-work-budget-should-reflect-that/70268786007/

The post Women make the economy work: Now let’s pass a budget that invests in them! appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

“We are thrilled to have Lauren join our team as Director of Grantmaking,” said Women’s Foundation CEO Tanna Clews. “Lauren has built a stellar reputation in nearly two decades as a respected community and nonprofit leader, and we are so pleased to have her lead our grantmaking program as we continue to expand our investment in organizations serving women and girls in the Granite State.”

Lauren’s previous experience as Senior Director of Community Impact at United Way includes leading data-informed and volunteer-driven grantmaking. She has led the convening and facilitation of numerous collaborations, including homelessness and substance use prevention, girl’s initiative, kindergarten readiness. She is highly skilled at strategic prioritization of community needs, and is focused on building the partnerships required to solve for them.

“I am so excited to be joining the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation and contributing to a focused and critically important mission,” Lauren Wool said. “I look forward to continued learning and service to the many community leaders, grantee partners and changemakers who are champions for New Hampshire’s women and girls.”

Lauren is passionate about radical listening, including all perspectives, and finding common ground. She actively participates with the NH Funder Forum and DEI Affinity Group, a Trust Based Philanthropy Community of Practice, and Leadership Seacoast’s Program Committee.

“In our search for our next Grantmaking Director, Lauren’s experience, approach and character stood out in a strong field of candidates,” said Hope Damon and Caitlin Delaney, Co-Chairs of the Women’s Foundation’s Grants Committee. “We are so happy to have her on board and we can’t wait to get to work!”

Lauren brings deep experience in grantmaking in New Hampshire, along with strong skills in facilitation, coalition building and strategic planning. She will lead the Women’s Foundation’s annual community grant making program, as well as lead the Foundation’s Women & Girls of Color Fund and Reproductive and Sexual Health Care Access Fund. 

Lauren lives in Portsmouth with her husband Jeff and their daughters Sabina and Liana. Having it all means juggling family with career, and when balanced, she enjoys yoga, the beach, reading, and live music.

Lauren will be starting her new role as Director of Grantmaking on May 23rd.

Join us in welcoming Lauren!

The post Lauren Wool joins Women’s Foundation as Director of Grantmaking appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 8th, voters across New Hampshire will have an opportunity to respond at the voting booth to recent attacks on women’s rights and freedoms. 

From the Supreme Court and Congress to the New Hampshire Legislature and Executive Council, we have seen repeated attacks on women’s freedom, rights, and access to health care. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the federal right to abortion, these attacks on reproductive freedom at the state level are more dangerous than ever. 

Two years ago, New Hampshire legislators passed, and Governor Sununu signed into law, an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the mother. Our Executive Council voted four times to defund three family planning clinics and recently voted to defund after-school sex-ed and teen-parent resource programs that have effectively reduced teen pregnancies in New Hampshire. This is impacting not just women’s health and freedom but our economic self-determination. 

 There is no reason a politician — federal, state, or local — should be involved in our personal health care decisions. We have seen time and again, that when legislators regulate women’s health, it harms women. The majority of Granite Staters agree: Women can and will make healthcare decisions for themselves with their doctors — without a politician weighing in.  

Use the power of your vote on Election Day to choose federal and state candidates who stand up to extremists, support women’s rights, freedom and autonomy, and won’t put barriers between you and your health care. 

Please vote for a better future for New Hampshire women and girls.

With you in spirit and action

Tanna Clews,
CEO, NH Women’s Foundation

The post This Election Day, Vote Your Values appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

Here are 10 things you can do in New Hampshire to support women and girls:

1. Make a plan to Vote
   • Did you know 53% of voters in 2020 were women? 
   • Check out Citizen’s Count Voter Information here: https://www.citizenscount.org/elections-voter-faq
2. Research the candidates on your ballot 
   • Did you know that the NH State House is currently 36% women and the NH State Senate is currently 39% women? Only 39% of candidates on NH ballots are women this November. 
   • Find your sample ballot on the NH Secretary of State’s website here: https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections/sample-ballots#
   • Use Citizen’s Count’s Position on Issues resource by choosing your city/town/ward here: https://www.citizenscount.org/elections
   • Check out the League of Women Voters upcoming candidate forums: http://lwvnh.org/candidate-forums-and-debates/ 
3. Donate to candidates that share your values
   • Any amount is great to help your favorite candidate get their message out
4. Volunteer to make phone calls or knock on doors
   • Organizers will teach you how to do it and give you a map and a script! It’s fun! 
   • Check out Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s canvasses in your community here: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/ppnhaf-upcoming-events
5. Donate to abortion and reproductive health access funds
   • Your support can help people who cannot afford abortion care, or can further efforts to protect and expand access to abortion in New Hampshire.
   • Donate to the Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire here: https://www.reprofund.org
   • Donate to the Women’s Foundation’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Access Fund here:  https://nhwomensfoundation.org/reproductive-and-sexual-health-access-fund/
6. Write a Letter to the Editor
   • Local news outlets are always looking for fresh voices. Share your thoughts on women’s issues with our guide on  writing a letter to the editor here: https://nhwomensfoundation.org/advocacy-toolkit/#1502131863480-70c045ad-b671
7. Talk to your friends and family about the issues you care about
   • Talking about women’s issues like abortion, maternal health, child care access, mental health resources, and parental leave can make a difference in your network. 
8. Share your Story
   • If and when you’re ready, our partners can help you share your abortion/birth control/healthcare access story and work with you to share it in the most comfortable and impactful way. https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-new-hampshire-action-fund/share-your-story
9. Attend the Women Building Community Event on October 27th
   • Join hundreds of New Hampshire women to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX! Get your tickets here: https://nhwomensfoundation.org/wbc/ 
10. Get to know or volunteer for NH organizations serving women and girls
    • Check out the Women’s Foundation’s current grant recipients to learn about these amazing organizations serving women and girls in New Hampshire here: https://nhwomensfoundation.org/2021-grant-recipients/ 

The post 10 Things You Can Do in New Hampshire for National Weekend of Action appeared first on New Hampshire Women's Foundation.

Codifying the right to abortion (SB436 AND HB1674)

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation believes that women, and all people who can become pregnant, have the right to make decisions for themselves about their bodies and deserve access to a full suite of reproductive choices, including abortion. During the 2022 legislative session, a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization revealed that the right to an abortion at the federal level was in jeopardy. In June, that decision was final, leaving abortion access up to the states. Throughout the session, we advocated for the New Hampshire legislature to codify (or protect) the right to an abortion up to 24 weeks in New Hampshire state law. The House and Senate had multiple opportunities to protect the right to an abortion and voted against codifying. Abortion is legal in New Hampshire, and the “Live Free or Die” State has has a long, bipartisan history of supporting abortion access. However, New Hampshire is the only state in New England that has not protected the right to abortion in state law. The Women’s Foundation will continue to advocate for the “Access to Abortion-care Act” (or “AAA”) in the 2023 legislative session. See our Gender Matters issue on Abortion Rights in New Hampshire for more information. (Read our testimony on this bill).

Limiting the harm done by the abortion ban (HB1609)

In June 2021, Governor Sununu signed the first abortion ban in modern history, banning abortion after 24 weeks. During the 2022 legislative session, the Women’s Foundation advocated for a full repeal of that ban, and though a full repeal was unsuccessful, we are pleased that some of the harms of the ban were eliminated. The original abortion ban did not include exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies — circumstances that leave pregnant people in heartbreaking and dangerous circumstances. After hearing courageous and moving testimony from women who had lived experience with fatal fetal diagnoses, legislators added an exception for these circumstances to the 24-week ban. Additionally, the original ban included a requirement that all abortions before 24 weeks include an ultrasound. Ultrasounds, particularly for early abortion, are medically unnecessary and physically intrusive. The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, along with our reproductive rights coalition partners across the state, were successful in further limiting the harm done by the ban by limiting the scope of the required ultrasound to only at or near 24 weeks. Abortion is an essential aspect of reproductive health care and any limits, restrictions or prohibitions to this care jeopardizes the well-being of all people who can become pregnant. (Read our testimony on this bill).

Supporting the child care industry (SB 446)

Women are the majority of both child care workers and essential workers (including health care, service industry and teaching) who rely on child care. Mothers are four times more likely than fathers to cut hours or leave their jobs if they do not have access to reliable child care. The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation celebrates the passage of the “Workforce Behind the Workforce Act,” which directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to foster sustainable childcare opportunities for working families and businesses. The plan would potentially include providing child care workers with sign-on and longevity bonuses to bolster and sustain this crucial industry. Our CEO, Tanna Clews, wrote an op-ed with Michael Skelton, CEO of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, in support of this legislation. (Read our testimony on this bill).

Improving access to postpartum health care through Medicaid (SB 407)

Currently, pregnant women in New Hampshire who do not income-qualify for Medicaid may qualify at a higher income threshold during pregnancy, birth, and up to two months postpartum. Recognizing that moms need access to health care longer than two months postpartum, the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation supported the “Health Moms Healthy Babies Act.” This bill would have instructed the state to opt in to a federal program to continue Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum for those who would otherwise no longer income-qualify. Access to this health care coverage would reduce maternal mortality, treat maternal depression and provide preventive and acute care for all other health concerns for a year following pregnancy/birth. The Women’s Foundation was disappointed this legislation died in Committee of Conference, though we will seek alternative approaches to take advantage of this federal program. (Read our testimony on this bill).

Eliminating the practice of shackling pregnant people who are incarcerated (SB 393)

As of March 1, 2022, 141 women were incarcerated at the New Hampshire Women’s Prison (Women’s Prison), 86% of whom are within childbearing age (20-49 years old). People who are incarcerated are sometimes shackled at the wrists and ankles. Shackling an incarcerated pregnant person interferes with the ability of clinicians to safely practice medicine and may put the health of the pregnant person and baby at risk. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports policies restricting the use of shackles throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, transport and postpartum recovery. The Women’s Prison follows national best practices related to shackling pregnant people, though there may be inconsistencies in policies among county correctional facilities. We were pleased the legislature passed, and Governor Sununu signed, legislation to codify best practices at all New Hampshire prisons and jails, virtually eliminating the practice of shackling pregnant people who are incarcerated during labor, childbirth and postpartum. All pregnant people deserve to have the dignity of a pregnancy and a childbirth that allows for movement and appropriate and accessible patient care. (Read our testimony on this bill).

Requiring student ID cards to include “9-8-8” (SB 234)

According to our research, girls are nearly twice as likely as boys to experience symptoms of depression, and 1.6 times more likely to consider suicide. These disparities are greater for girls of color. Youth with poor mental health are at an increased risk of drug and substance use, poor academic performance and social isolation. We celebrated the passage of legislation that requires public schools, charter schools and universities who already provide student identification cards to include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on the card. This summer, the Lifeline became more accessible than ever through the three-digit number “9-8-8”, which we anticipate will further improve students’ access to mental health resources. (Read our testimony on this bill).

Protecting Data on Student Health (HB 1639)

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is an anonymous survey taken by middle and high school students every year and collects data about behavioral health including seat belt use, exercise and eating habits, mental health, alcohol and drug use, intimate partner violence, bullying and other areas related to health. This survey is one of the only, and arguably the most reliable, source of data on youth, as well as one of the few New Hampshire data sources that can be broken down by gender, race and ethnicity. A bill was introduced that would change the YRBS from an “opt-out” survey to an “opt-in” survey, meaning every student would need parental permission to participate, thereby greatly reducing the validity and usefulness of the survey. We are grateful this legislation failed. (Read our testimony on this bill).

For a more detailed look at each of these bills, visit our Legislation page.

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