On April 1, 2009, I stood in front of a room full of my friends and peers, lured by the promise of cookies and baked goods, and timidly proclaimed that I was beginning a new chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ) at our school, Thomas Jefferson School of Law (TJSL) in San Diego

Coming upon LSRJ at the time that I did was a matter of fate.  I started playing roller derby during my first year of law school as a stress reliever.  Within about nine months of joining the local league, I was sitting on the sidelines with a pulled muscle and spending a significant amount of time undergoing rehabilitation.  It suddenly dawned on me that I was halfway through law school and all I had to show for it were some healing bruises and a weak groin.  I met with my career counselor who was aware that I was interested in practicing surrogacy and family formation law.  In her research prior to our meeting, she came across an organization called Law Students for Reproductive Justice.  She asked if I had heard of it—I hadn’t.  She navigated to the fact sheets located on LSRJ’s webpage and showed me that this organization focused on a myriad issues including assisted reproductive technology.  This piqued my curiosity so I went home and researched LSRJ.  I sent an inquiry to the national office, and the TJSL Chapter was born.

TJSL LSRJ experienced significant growing pains at the beginning.  I didn’t have the slightest clue how to lead a meeting, plan events or recruit members.  The original executive board experienced internal strife and head butting among ourselves.  However, despite the early struggles, the organization developed a life of its own and acquired more and more highly motivated and interested members.

As a board, TJSL LSRJ decided to limit the amount of discussion regarding abortion in an attempt not to immediately alienate people from our burgeoning organization.  Therefore, TJSL LSRJ hosted a variety of events to demonstrate to our student body and faculty that reproductive rights encompass a multitude of issues.  Our kick-off event was “Sex Ed Trivia Night” held at a local restaurant.  Students, in groups of six, were given 45 minutes to answer questions that tested their knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health.  The winning team received t-shirt prizes with “Ask Me About Sex!” written in large white letters across the back.  In October, TJSL LSRJ formed a team and raised a substantial amount of money for San Diego’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.  Additionally, we are incredibly fortunate to have an excellent relationship with our sister chapter at the University of San Diego School of Law.  In November, our chapters partnered to host an attorney panel discussion titled “Criminalization of Pregnancy” wherein local attorneys and law students were educated about various issues affecting pregnant women in the criminal justice system. 

In January, to begin the spring semester, TJSL LSRJ and TJSL Outlaw co-hosted “My Body, My Bedroom: A Peek at the Privacy Doctrine from Contraception to Sex Toys”—a lunchtime discussion led by a TJSL constitutional law professor describing the history of the privacy doctrine and access to sex toys.*  The following day, several members of our chapter attended the Roe v. Wade Anniversary Dinner hosted by the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  During the week of February 14, our chapter held a three-day tabling campaign for what we referred to as “Violence Awareness Week,” or “V-Week” which was meant to promote awareness of partner violence.  To gain attention, TJSL LSRJ members wore red shirts with “Don’t Turn Your Back on Violence Against Women” written across the back.  We collected toiletries for a local women’s shelter, had students pose with their arms crossed to take pictures for UNIFEM’s “Say No to Sexual Violence in Conflict” campaign, and posted statistics regarding the incidence of partner violence.  Finally, in March, we raised money for clean birthing kits for refugees.  Over two days, students were urged to “Save the babies!” by donating $2 in exchange for a cute blue sticker reading “I helped safely deliver a baby.” 

As of today, April 1, 2010, TJSL LSRJ has 25 dues-paying members.  These members regularly attend LSRJ meetings and events and proudly wear their LSRJ shirts around campus.  We have been dubbed the “most visible student organization at TJSL” by our SBA President.  I couldn’t be more proud of our members who relentlessly advocate for reproductive rights and strive for change on a daily basis.  As I prepare for graduation, I can’t help but realize that in finding LSRJ, I found myself.  I hope that our 1L and 2L members can soon say the same thing.

Happy birthday, TJSL LSRJ.  I look forward to watching you grow before my eyes.

*Gigantic thank you to Lauren Mendonsa of USD LSRJ for allowing TJSL LSRJ to “borrow” not only the idea for the sex toy discussion, but also the title of the event.  I wouldn’t have been able to get through this year without you to lean on, bounce ideas off of . . . and steal from. 

Jenn Kish

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