Working for Reproductive Justice in a State Dominated by Conservatives
Despite overwhelming obstacles, CPL Alumnus Aubrey Montgomery has been a tireless advocate for reproductive justice in Pennsylvania by Loryn Wilson

-----------------------------------

Aubrey has always been passionate about reproductive justice.

In 2004, she worked with NARAL New Mexico and realized the role that reproductive justice plays during an election season. “When I moved back to Pennsylvania in 2005, I knew I wanted to get involved with the [NARAL] affiliate here,” says Aubrey. “Like many non-profits, NARAL Pennsylvania went through a cycle of poor management or lack of enthusiasm, which has a lot to do with Pennsylvania’s climate on reproductive health and on choice.”

As a passionate reproductive justice advocate, Aubrey met the challenge of fighting in a state that had been very conservative on issues of choice and access to contraceptives. Through her involvement with NARAL Pennsylvania, she played an integral role in strengthening the reproductive justice movement throughout the state.

As a CPL Pennsylvania Fellow in 2006, Aubrey became a board member at NARAL Pennsylvania. Over the course of the fellowship, she realized that she wanted a larger leadership role in changing the reproductive health climate in her state. Aubrey remembers developing her 5-year plan as a CPL Pennsylvania Fellow.  “When I was in the CPL Fellowship, one of my goals was to become the Executive Director of NARAL Pennsylvania within five years.”

With her goal set, Aubrey established relationships through her board membership and taking action within the political community.  Within the first 6 months of the CPL Pennsylvania Fellowship, Aubrey met and exceeded her goal. She was elected by the Pennsylvania NARAL Board as the Executive Director that same year.

Aubrey has continued her work in getting more progressive political candidates elected in her state. Most recently, Aubrey served as the Finance Director for Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Upper Marion). “Daylin is one of the most brilliant policymakers in Pennsylvania and he is a great consensus builder,” she says. “I wanted to make sure that this kind of progressive policymaker stayed in Harrisburg.”

Relationship building has played a large role in Aubrey’s success, and believes that CPL helped her build a wider progressive political network. “Having and incredible network of progressive individuals with expertise and experience different from your own is one of the most valuable tools I gained from CPL.”

You can learn more about NARAL-Pro Choice Pennsylvania here: http://www.prochoicepennsylvania.org/

------------

Aubrey was a member of the first CPL Pennsylvania Political Leaders Fellowship and credits her experience with reaching her dream of becoming Executive Director of NARAL-Pro Choice Pennsylvania.