The Reproductive Justice Action Team (RJAT) at Pacific University recently received recognition from the Washington County Department of Health and Human Services for their work in promoting healthy communities and lifestyles. The team was awarded the department’s Emerging Public Health Leader Award during National Public Health Week on April 5, 2024.
The RJAT team is made up of approximately 15 undergraduate students, staff, and faculty members who collaborate with the university’s Center for a Sustainable Society and the Center for Gender Equity to advance reproductive justice through education, outreach, and action. Since its establishment in 2022, the team has organized various events on the Forest Grove Campus to raise awareness on reproductive health issues.
One of RJAT’s notable events was the hosting of Roslyn Banish’s exhibit, “Focus On Abortion: Americans Tell Their Stories,” in September 2023. The exhibit featured personal narratives and photographs depicting individual experiences with abortion. The exhibition took place at the Tim and Cathy Tran Library on the university campus, attracting attention and sparking conversations around reproductive rights.
Adelle Monteblanco, assistant professor of public health at Pacific University and a member of RJAT, expressed her pride in the team’s accomplishments. She highlighted their initiatives such as distributing contraception, increasing access to STI testing information, reducing stigma surrounding abortion and emphasizing that public health goes beyond healthcare. She commended them for their dedication to promoting a culture of health on campus.