By Alexa of Mountain Voice

How learning about reproductive justice changed the way I think about healthcare, community, and my future in nursing.

Growing up in Appalachia taught me that community means showing up for one another. Whether it’s neighbors helping after a storm or families supporting each other during difficult times, I have always believed caring for others is one of our greatest strengths. As someone pursuing a career in nursing, those values have shaped who I want to become. But as I began learning about reproductive justice, I found myself thinking about those experiences in a new way. I started asking a question I had never considered before: What happens when a community wants to care for its people, but the healthcare they need is hours away?

Healthcare is More Than a Hospital

When I think about Appalachia, I don’t immediately think about statistics or headlines. I think about people. I think about neighbors who bring meals when someone is sick, families who gather around one another during difficult times, and communities that never hesitate to lend a helping hand. Growing up in Appalachia taught me that community means showing up for one another. Whether it’s neighbors helping after a storm or families supporting each other during difficult times, I have always believed caring for others is one of our greatest strengths. As someone pursuing a career in nursing, those values have shaped who I want to become. But as I began learning about reproductive justice, I found myself thinking about those experiences in a new way. I started asking a question I had never considered before: What happens when a community wants to care for its people, but the healthcare they need is hours away?

What is Reproductive Justice?

Before learning about reproductive justice, I assumed it was mostly about reproductive rights. While those conversations are certainly important, I quickly realized the movement is much broader. The reproductive justice framework developed by black women activists and supported by SisterSong recognizes four basic rights:

• The right to have children
• The right not to have children
• The right to parent children in safe and healthy communities
• The right to bodily autonomy.

The part that resonates with me the most is the idea that every family deserves the opportunity to raise children in a safe, healthy, and supportive community. That shifted my perspective. Reproductive justice isn’t only about individual decisions; it asks whether people actually have access to the healthcare, education, housing, transportation, and community support needed to build healthy lives.

Why Appalachia?

Growing up in Appalachia taught me the value of community. Throughout my life, I’ve watched neighbors step up for one another without hesitation. Whether someone is celebrating a new baby, grieving the loss of a loved one, or simply going through a difficult season, people show up. That sense of community is one of Appalachia’s greatest strengths.

At the same time, our region continues to face healthcare challenges that cannot be ignored. Many rural communities have experienced hospital closures, shortages of maternity care providers, and limited access to transportation. For some families, receiving prenatal care or giving birth safely means traveling long distances, something that isn’t possible for everyone.

Learning about reproductive justice helped me realize these aren’t simply healthcare issues, they’re community issues. If families cannot access the care they need, then our communities cannot fully thrive.

Appalachia and Global Justice

One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away from my Global and Appalachian justice course is that the issues we experience locally are often connected to larger global conversations.

Around the world, many rural communities face challenges similar to those found throughout Appalachia. Limited healthcare access, provider shortages, transportation barriers, and economic inequality affect families across many countries. Although every community has its own history, these shared challenges remind us that justice is about more than individual responsibility. It is about creating systems that allow people to live healthy lives, care for their families, and build strong communities.

Looking at Appalachia through this global lens has helped me better understand that our region is not isolated. Our experiences are part of a much larger conversation about equity, dignity, and access to care.

Why This Matters to Me

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that advocacy isn’t only about speaking up, it’s also about listening, learning, and understanding the barriers people face every day.

As someone pursuing a career in nursing, I hope to do more than care for patients after they enter a hospital. I want to advocate for healthier communities where people can access the care they need before a health crisis occurs.

Growing up in Appalachia taught me compassion. Learning about reproductive justice has taught me responsibility. Together, these lessons continue to shape the healthcare professional I hope to become.

Final Thoughts

When I first began learning about reproductive justice, I thought it was simply another healthcare issue. Today, I understand it as something much bigger.

It’s about opportunity.

It is about dignity.

It is about community.

Most importantly, it is about ensuring every family has the chance to thrive.

Appalachia has always been my home, not simply because of the mountains or the small towns, but because of the people who have shown me what compassion and community truly look like. Reproductive justice has challenged me to think about how those same values can extend into our healthcare systems, ensuring that every family has access to the care and support they deserve. As I continue my journey toward becoming a nurse, I hope to carry those lessons with me and help build healthier communities throughout Appalachia.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What does reproductive justice look like in your community?

Have you ever experienced or witnessed barriers to healthcare because of where you live? I’d love to hear your thoughts and conversation in the comments!

Works Cited

SisterSong. (1997). SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.Sister Song

Appalachian Regional Commission. (2025). Health disparities in Appalachia. Health Disparities in Appalachia – Appalachian Regional Commission

March of Dimes. (2024). Nowhere to go: Maternity care deserts across the U.S. Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US | March of Dimes

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1946). Maternal and infant health. Maternal and Infant Health: An Overview | Maternal Infant Health | CDC

National Rural Health Association. (1991). Rural health disparities. NRHA’s Rural Health Voices Blog | National Rural Health Association – NRHA – NRHA