Photo of Simran Singh Jain
National Membership Coordinator, SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective
LA ’19
She/They
In a moment where reproductive rights are being legally threatened and heavily restricted in the United States, Simran Singh Jain is taking on the work necessary to keep reproductive healthcare accessible to all who need it. Through her work with SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, Jain has the opportunity to make a difference, shift cultural narratives, and drive change.
“SisterSong gives me a space to advocate unapologetically for abortion rights while centering the most vulnerable folks in our communities,” expressed Jain. “Doing work at the intersection of abortion and racial justice during this hostile political moment is as terrifying as it is invigorating, and I’m grateful to my team for inspiring me constantly and reminding me that we will keep fighting until all our people get what they need.”
Racial justice and abortion-centered work have been interests of Jain’s since high school. She grew up in a home where her parents encouraged political conversations at home and in their communities, but finding her own place and role in these movements took time.
“I often struggled to find my place within social justice movements due to my various interests and intersecting identities, and found myself jumping between abortion, sexual and gender-based violence response, and police and prison abolition work before finally landing in the Reproductive Justice world,” discussed Jain. “The Reproductive Justice framework is so expansive and encompassing that I’m able to see myself within it as a Queer Brown woman, not just as the sum of my identities, and that has been invaluable.”
As an undergraduate student, Jain discovered community and served as a leader within Students United for Reproductive Justice (SURJ), a Newcomb-sponsored student organization. She credits her peers with shaping the ideology and perspective she utilizes in her work today.
“We all learned together and continue to learn together, many of my peers at Tulane are still my greatest supporters, confidants, and friends,” reflected Jain. “I don’t think it’s possible to truly be prepared to work in abortion rights, there’s no way to prepare for your government telling you that it does not care about your body, but the wonderful queer folks and women that I met at Tulane and continue to hold dearly keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of showing up every day.”
In the next decade, Jain hopes our society will have made significant progress towards achieving racial and gender equity.
“I see myself doing all the wonderful things that life has to offer and being joyful as a political act of radical self-love,” remarked Jain. “I have no doubt that I will always be involved in the movement for change, so I see myself there too, continuing to be loud and unapologetic in what I believe.”
Jain also sees a full life for herself beyond labor, taking in all of the beauty and joy of world around her.
“I see myself in love, I see myself starting a family and writing poetry on the porch and with as many dogs as I can reasonably take care of…and then maybe a couple more. I dream of a flower garden and spending time with my loved ones, and if necessary, running an underground abortion network from my basement.”