Reproductive rights groups planning more events, engaging more students during Trump administration

With the inauguration of President Trump last week, conversations surrounding reproductive rights policies have been more prominent.

Abortion rates are at an all-time low since Roe v. Wade and are continuing to drop, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The same study also found that South Dakota is one of six states that have 76-100 percent of women living in a county with no access to an abortion clinic.

In the last year, two student groups have started on USD’s campus, both of which deal with this heavily-debated topic — Students for Reproductive Rights (SFRR) and Yotes for life.

Students for Reproductive Rights 

Sylvia Weidenaar, a sophomore nursing major and president of SFRR, said the group was created because they “felt there was a need for a pro-choice group on campus.”

“We exist to campaign for intersectional women’s choice and health rights,” Weidenaar said. “We hope to increase awareness and interest in women’s abortion and rights and reproductive issues.”

The group has about 15 members that meet weekly on Monday nights at 7 p.m. in the Muenster University Center fishbowl.

“Our group is mostly liberal Democrats because we work closely with college Dems,” Weidenaar said.

Weidenaar said the group goes over current events related to their cause and plans events at their meetings. They host and attend three to four events each semester.

“We do a choice lobby day in Pierre in the spring and we do a lot of tabling,” she said. “We have a tampon drive for the domestic violence shelter and the food shelter here in Vermillion.”

Logan Thomas, SFRR vice president, said the group plans on being more active now that President Trump has taken office.

“There is going to be a lot of restrictions,” Thomas said. “I think we’re going to be dealing with a lot of women who, if what happens after certain bills and legislation are passed, we will be working together with them to make sure everyone’s voices are being heard and not just the men who are making these bills.”

SFRR also participated in the Women’s Marches in Sioux Falls and Vermillion on Saturday.

Yotes for Life 

Ellen Roufs, a sophomore biology major and co-president of Yotes for Life, said the group got its start so its members could “promote the pro-life culture on campus.”

Yotes for Life has 10-12 consistent members and doesn’t have set meeting times, but meet when they plan events, Roufs said.

“We have a variety of events that are scattered throughout the month,” she said.

The group tries to change up what they do for events, Roufs added.

“Last month we had a speaker come in and talk about adoption and her experience with adoption

and that alternative option,” she said. “We have done some tabling and polling. Like, ‘When do you think it is OK to have an abortion?’  Just to engage people. We did the sidewalk chalking, and I think that was pretty effective.”

Yotes for Life has also participated in a peaceful rally in Sioux Falls and worked in nursing homes.

“Obviously being pro-life is seen as conservative, but we don’t support a specific party because we believe in all humans and all ages. So we are against the death penalty, which is more of a liberal view,” Roufs said. “So we kind of fall on both sides.”

Roufs added that the group has some hope that the Trump administration will “promote the dignity of life.” She also said the group focuses on starting conversations with others on the topic.

“I think we want to be open to dialogue with people. It’s intimidating to sometimes have this viewpoint because you feel like you’ll be attacked,” she said.
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“I think people on the other side of the argument sometimes feel the same way. I guess our approach is to reach out to them and if they are in a different situation to provide alternative resources to them… just have conversations about what is the best option, because I don’t believe ending another life is ever the best option.”