Black Reproductive Justice Futures: Symone

As Black History Month closes out, we're shifting our focus towards Black Reproductive Justice Futures. The best way to do just that is by showcasing the astonishing Black leaders we have on staff!

Today, we're celebrating Symone (she/her).

Symone is a multi-talented organizer, storyteller, and patient-navigating expert! As a doula and former care provider, her passion for non-judgemental, down-to-earth care is abundant in all she does. She dreams of a world where trauma-informed, culturally competent doula care for all is the standard, not the exception. We know that if anyone can make it happen, Symone is leading the way.

Passing the Torch—A New Chapter for Abortion Fund of Ohio

Since March 2022, Abortion Fund of Ohio (AFO)  has grown immensely under the leadership of Interim Executive Director, Maggie Scotece. AFO’s Board & staff extend our heartfelt thanks & congratulations to Maggie as they join the Reproductive Rights Law Initiative at Case Western Reserve University. In this role, Maggie will continue their path as a bold leader in reproductive rights law, fighting against abortion restrictions & pregnancy criminalization. AFO looks forward to continued collaboration with Maggie & the RRLI team!

Over the last year, AFO has conducted a diligent search for a permanent Executive Director—a visionary with the values and skills we need to thrive. Following an intensive interview & selection process, Abortion Fund of Ohio is proud to name Lexis Dotson-Dufault as our next Executive Director!

Lexi is a doula, abortion advocate, We Testify storyteller, and Advocates for Youth Co-Coordinator. She’s a first-generation college student and former foster youth passionate about abolition, Black liberation and the perseverance through generational trauma with mutual aid, community care, and trauma-informed care. Lexi is one of AFO’s current Patient Navigation Program Managers, with a long history of leadership within & beyond the organization.

“Almost five years ago when I had my first abortion, I could not imagine feeling empowered by my decision. It was not until I became part of AFO and the Reproductive Justice community that I realized my abortions are the reason I am powerful” said Lexi, “As the first Black Executive Director at AFO,  I am committed to continuing the work of the Black women that have fought endlessly for us to have control of our own bodies and lives, and for our communities to live safely and healthily. Every single person deserves supportive, loving, de-stigmatized access to abortion care and I am honored to lead a team that has dedicated their life to ensuring this can be people’s reality in Ohio.”

In addition to lived experience and work in Reproductive Justice spaces, Lexi has strong foundations in management and education. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts in Social Policy and Trauma-Informed Education, focusing her studies on the school-to-prison pipeline. Following graduation, she joined the Reproductive Rights Activists Service Corps (RRACS) program at Hampshire College, which led her to intern, volunteer, then later serve on AFO’s Board of Directors.

“It’s truly been an honor to work alongside Lexi in my time at AFO” said Scotece, “Throughout this transition, our staff expressed the need for a pro-abortion, values-driven Executive Director. Lexi’s dedication and experience—not only as a Reproductive Justice leader, but also as a Black woman and abortion storyteller—make her a perfect fit for the job.”

Abortion Fund of Ohio wholeheartedly and unequivocally stands in solidarity with those experiencing settler colonial violence and ethnic cleansing in Occupied Palestine. As we all seek for a world of peace and liberation, we must never waver from standing with the oppressed. As an organization grounded in Reproductive Justice values, we believe all people have the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination free from occupation. We believe that all people have the right to have a family and parent their children with the dignity and resources to live safely and healthily. 

Reproductive Justice cannot exist when you are denied basic human rights and essentials such as food, water, electricity and freedom of movement. Reproductive Justice cannot exist when you are being bombed and massacred in your homes, in your streets, in your schools. Reproductive Justice cannot exist when medical supplies are being withheld, hospitals are being targeted and paramedics and doctors slaughtered. 

The world is witnessing the complete annihilation of Gaza and the Palestinian people, with the United States as a main accomplice and perpetrator. We have a moral obligation to unlearn biased rhetoric and learn beyond our bubble of western propaganda to understand the Palestinian struggle for liberation after being subject to apartheid and genocide on their own land after seven decades. 

Supporting a free Palestine is not at odds with Judaism. To suggest that these are in conflict is wholly false. Learn to distinguish Judaism & Zionism.

We call on the United States to immediately stop funding billions of dollars and weaponry to the Israeli military.

We call on ALL media outlets, politicians, and journalists to immediately stop the circulation of dehumanizing and genocidal rhetoric of Palestinian people to justify horrendous acts of violence.

There is no peace under occupation.
Stop the genocide. 
End the siege. 
End the violence. 
End the occupation. 

Donate

• Medical Aid for Palestinians
• Palestine Children’s Relief Fund

Follow

• @cairohio
• @palestinianyouthmovement
• @adalahjusticeproject

Read our previous joint solidarity statement with Palestine.