Asian American and Pacific Islander Leaders For Reproductive Freedom

During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the trailblazers in the AAPI community who are leading the way in the fight to protect and advance reproductive freedom for every body.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is the first Thai American woman elected to Congress. She is an Iraq War veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Sen. Duckworth is the first woman with a disability who has been elected to Congress, and the first senator to give birth while in office. Sen. Duckworth is a champion for reproductive freedom. She is the lead sponsor of the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Act, which would ensure that federal health plans and programs cover and provide access to abortion care by lifting existing coverage bans for those who receive their health insurance through the federal government, in the Senate.

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) is the first woman senator from Hawaii. She is also the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, as well as the first senator who was born in Japan. Sen. Hirono is a champion of reproductive freedom who has fought tirelessly to protect healthcare — including access to abortion care — and civil rights for every body. Sen. Hirono is a co-lead of the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Act, which would ensure that federal health plans and programs cover and provide access to abortion care by lifting existing coverage bans for those who receive their health insurance through the federal government, in the Senate. She has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Representative Marilyn Strickland (W-10) is one of the first Korean American women elected to congress and, prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, was the first Asian-American Mayor of Tacoma, WA. She is committed to using her voice to advocate for change so that every body is better served. Rep. Strickland is a co-lead of the Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would repeal an abortion funding ban known as the Helms amendment, which prohibits the use of U.S. foreign assistance funds for abortion care.

We must ensure reproductive freedom for every body. This AAPI Heritage Month, join us in signing the Abortion Solidarity Statement from NAPAWF.