Woman Centered Health

31/05/2025

The closure of Planned Parenthood clinics in Iowa is not just a loss for the cities they’re located in—it’s a rural crisis. A response to the closure of four Iowa Planned Parenthood clinics.

Believe it or not, urban Planned Parenthood locations often serve as critical access points for rural women’s health needs—and I’m not just talking about abortion. For many rural women, these clinics are the only reliable source for birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and honest, nonjudgmental healthcare.

Why are women willing to drive hours to get there? It comes down to three things:

• Confidentiality: In small towns where “everyone knows everyone,” privacy is nearly impossible to come by. Planned Parenthood provides care without the risk of community gossip or stigma.

• Affordability: Many rural women are uninsured or underinsured. Some are 18-year-olds who can’t safely use their parent’s insurance. These clinics offer low- or no-cost services, removing a massive barrier to care.

• Consistency: Women know that if they walk into a Planned Parenthood, they’ll leave with what they came for—no shame, no judgment, just competent, compassionate care.

These closures don’t just affect one zip code—they ripple across entire counties and regions and continue to worsen rural women’s health outcomes.

31/05/2025

As a rural woman and a researcher of rural women’s sexual and reproductive health, I can say this plainly: the closure of Planned Parenthood clinics in Iowa is not just a loss for the cities they’re located in—it’s a rural crisis.

(https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2025/05/24/planned-parenthood-closing-4-of-its-6-iowa-clinics-laying-off-staff/83838686007/ #)

Believe it or not, urban Planned Parenthood locations often serve as critical access points for rural women’s health needs—and I’m not just talking about abortion. For many rural women, these clinics are the only reliable source for birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and honest, nonjudgmental healthcare.

Why are women willing to drive hours to get there? It comes down to three things:

• Confidentiality: In small towns where “everyone knows everyone,” privacy is nearly impossible to come by. Planned Parenthood provides care without the risk of community gossip or stigma.

• Affordability: Many rural women are uninsured or underinsured. Some are 18-year-olds who can’t safely use their parent’s insurance. These clinics offer low- or no-cost services, removing a massive barrier to care.

• Consistency: Women know that if they walk into a Planned Parenthood, they’ll leave with what they came for—no shame, no judgment, just competent, compassionate care.

These closures don’t just affect one zip code—they ripple across entire counties and regions and continue to worsen rural women’s health outcomes.

Planned Parenthood will shutter four Iowa clinics and another four in Minnesota in the coming year amid threats to its federal funds.

27/05/2025

Tell me you’re redefining your business and getting ready for a camping trip without telling me you’re redefining your business and getting ready for a camping trip 🫣😜 Stay tuned for updates!

21/05/2025

Running for office was on my heart for 10 years and losing the election was tough—there’s no way around it. Not because of ego, but because I didn’t get the chance to make the impact I had hoped for, especially for rural women and families who deserve so much more.

After the campaign ended, I gave myself permission to slow down. I took time to reconnect with my family, to rest, and to reflect. That space allowed me to refocus on why I started this work in the first place—and reminded me that self-care is also a form of activism. We can’t fight for others if we’re completely depleted ourselves ❤️

While the loss was hard, it hasn’t changed my purpose. I still believe deeply in the power and potential of rural women and communities. And I’m more committed than ever to finding new ways to drive change—stay tuned for the next chapter ☺️