Reproductive Justice Pre-Conference Fireside Chat
Date & Time: July 14, 2026 at 6:00 pm
The Legacy of Harm: The Power of Healing
This summertime pre-conference fireside chat brings together visionary artist and activist Michelle Browder, founder of Mothers of Gynecology, and trailblazing human rights activist, co-founder of SisterSong, and reproductive justice leader Loretta Ross for a powerful conversation rooted in this year’s theme: Harm to Healing: Dismantling Barriers to Reproductive Health for Black Women and Girls.
Dr. Jordie Davies will moderate the fireside chat. Dr. Davies is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine. She is also an affiliate faculty member of the UCI Culture and Theory Ph.D. Program and the Center for the Study of Democracy. Her research agenda focuses on the influence of social movements on political attitudes, culture, and civic engagement.
Together, they will reflect on the enduring legacy of reproductive trauma and violence against Black women’s bodies, from medical exploitation, eugenics, and forced reproduction to the ongoing inequities shaping Black women’s healthcare experiences today.
Through storytelling, real talk, and critical dialogue, Ms. Browder and Ms. Ross will explore how memory, art and activism can serve as tools for reclamation and resistance. This conversation will not only honor the lives and bodies impacted by generations of harm but will also guide us toward healing, dignity and autonomy.
Attendees will be invited into a space of collective reflection and healing–one that affirms the voices of Black women and girls, validates lived experiences and inspires us to challenge systemic injustices.
This fireside chat calls for participants to connect with the past, challenge the present and actively engage in building an equitable future.