Client Spotlight: Yadira Solis
I am a first-generation Mexican American and noting that my Mexican heritage is colorful and vibrant, I strive to keep that alive! I have been dancing for Mexican Folkloric dancing for over 20 years. During that time I have learned to value and hold dear what my ancestors left behind, the dances, costumes, songs, and the connection to the beauty of it all once I am on stage. At the same time, I am aware that tradition has held many systems that oppress and hold back communities of color and thus I became an activist to dismantle barriers that have kept our Latino community oppressed. I joined COLOR in my youth in their Latinas Increasing Political Strength (LIPS) program and it help foster my need to make progressive change for a better future for my community. With keeping my culture alive, and also making "good trouble" as the beloved John Lewis once said. Throughout my work, I have learned to value rest as a radical resistance and so I became a plant mom during the pandemic, as I nurture them I remember to nurture myself.
My last form of self-care was truly to go to the Let Em Have it Salon. Uri is my stylist and we have developed an amazing relationship, I really enjoy getting my hair cut not only because they offer in my opinion amazing service but they also take the time to ask me what I want and walk through the process with me. Recently I decided to go red, to reflect my own fiery spirit and I couldn't be happier.
Tell us about the overall work and scope of the organization you work for, COLOR?
COLOR stands for The Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, it is a Latina lead and Latinx serving non-profit that began in 1997 and has been 23 years strong. We work to address the disparate impact that systemic barriers when individuals seek reproductive healthcare due to their economic situation, faith, race, gender, age, immigration status, physical abilities, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Programs and Services
- Youth programming: Latinas Increasing Political Strength (LIPS), Youth Fellowships.
- Comprehensive sexual education: with 2- Generations conversations with youth and parents
- Advocacy: COLOR has lead for over 15 years The Latino Advocacy Day in which provides a space for the community to lobby legislators on issues that impact them directly and move legislation forward for a better future.
- Policy: A current win for COLOR and for all is the SB9 Reproductive Health Care Program: This law, which will go into effect on July 1, 2022, creates a reproductive health care program within Colorado Medicaid.
This new law provides:1. Contraceptives and counseling for undocumented people who would qualify for Medicaid if not for theirimmigration status.2. A one-year supply of oral contraceptives for all who use Medicaid.
What is the march COLOR is organizing on Oct 2nd?
We are marching at the Denver Womxn's March because we firmly believe that uterus-bearing individuals need access to safe abortions. We recognize that marginalized communities —Black, Latinos, Indigenous, and people of color and low-income communities will be the most impacted. Texans will have to travel now farther and to nearby states for abortion care, which comes with a huge and often out-of-reach financial burden. Colorado will continue to be a safe haven and be one of the locations people will travel to receive an abortion. In Colorado, we value bodily autonomy and will continue to fight and defeat bans similar to these in our state.
How can others can get involved?
1. Please go to our webpage: https://www.colorlatina.org/ and sign on to our newsletters or volunteer with us. (We are looking for people to march with us on Saturday, October 2nd)
2. Follow us on Social Media
Other ways to get involved/calls to action
HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN OUR FIGHT FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS!
1. Donate to Texas-based Organizations
Use this link to make a donation that will be spread across the Texas-based abortion funds: ttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/txfunds
2. Push your Congressional elected officials to support the Women’s Health Protection Act vocally!
The U.S. House of Representatives is voting on a bill that has the potential to protect abortion access across the country - The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA). #WHPA NOW. https://bit.ly/2PdwbzN
3. Tweet your support for WHPA:
THIS IS NOT A DRILL Texas just effectively banned abortion services after SIX weeks of pregnancy. This is a *devastating* loss to abortion access in Texas. Tell Congress to #ActForAbortionAccess and pass #WHPA NOW. https://bit.ly/2PdwbzN
Texas just implemented the MOST restrictive abortion ban in the United States. Providers and patients are still fighting in the courts, but we need Congress to act NOW to protect abortion access nationwide.
4. Contact Your Representativeand urge them to support WHPA:
- CD1 Diana DeGette, 202-225-4431, @RepDianaDeGette
- CD2 Joe Neguse, 202-225-2161, @RepJoeNeguse
- CD3 Lauren Boebert, 202-225-4761, @RepBoebert
- CD4 Ken Buck, 202-225-4676, @RepKenBuck
- CD5 Doug Lamborn, 202-225-4422, @RepDLamborn
- CD6 Jason Crow, 202-225-7882, @RepJasonCrow
- CD7 Ed Perlmutter, 202-225-2645, @RepPerlmutter
Contact Your Senators:
- Senator Michael Bennet, 202-224-5852, @SenatorBennet
- Senator John Hickenlooper, 202-224-5941, @SenatorHick
Help keep Colorado abortion clinics open!
We know our communities will experience an inundation of new patients coming from states with more restrictions. Help support our local Colorado abortion clinics!
Find abortion funding in Colorado: cobaltadvocates.org/
Find a real abortion clinic/spot an anti-abortion counseling center: www.keepabortionsafe.com/co-resource-map
If you're marching on Oct 2nd tag us in your photos! @letemhaveitsalon and share your story on why you're marching for a chance to get featured!
fallene@letemhaveitsalon.com