Nearly 40% of teens aged 14 to 17 are using digital technologies to seek out health related information, including information on sexual health. In response, a growing number of sexual health organizations are creating online and Smartphone-based tools aimed at providing reliable information and helping teens and young people prevent unintended pregnancy.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has also produced an online tool to help women avoid unplanned pregnancy: the organization’s Bedsider tool is an online birth control support network for women 18-29, with the goal of helping women find the method of birth control that’s right for them and learn how to use it consistently and effectively.

~ Carmen, Planned Parenthood Advocate

I try to keep an eye on ballot measures in other states, because there’s always a chance we’ll see them end up in South Dakota. And you know how we love our ballot measures!

North Dakota will vote on June 12 on four different ballot initiatives including Measure 3 which aims to change the ND State Constitution. The North Dakota Family Alliance and the ND Catholic
Conference are supporting the measure that they claim will protect against discriminations against sincerely held religious beliefs.

Opponents of Measure 3, a coalition of legal and medical professionals, religious leaders, and concerned citizens called North Dakotans Against Measure 3, are worried about the unintended consequences of passing a change like this. From their website,

The language in this law is too broad, poorly written, confusing and has so many loopholes that it can open the door for serious and even harmful unintended consequences for all North Dakotans. In the real world, we all know that some people take advantage. Measure 3 could cause real harm to some of our most vulnerable citizens.

It will be an interesting result to watch.

~Carmen, Planned Parenthood Advocate

Her collection of what she calls "messays" was released this month and it is all at once funny, thought-provoking and heartwarming. While many of her essays aren’t choice related, a feminist theme can be found throughout. Along with being a champion for choice in her day-to-day life, Lizz includes a very frank essay about her own teenage pregnancy. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this particular essay is pertinent to what we’ve been experiencing legislatively in South Dakota over the last couple of years. A great read by a great supporter of women, I recommend everyone check it out!

~ Alisha Sedor, NARAL Pro Choice South Dakota

Packed inside this issue is an update on Representative Noem and the Violence Against Women Act, a book review for Lizz Free or Die, information on Measure 3 in North Dakota, AND SO MUCH MORE! Please share widely!

Download The Team Roe Times Vol 2 Issue 5

A few things to keep in mind while keeping your body in healthy mode;

Visit a health care provider to receive regular check up and prevention screenings – unsure of where to find these providers; shop around – it is important to feel comfortable with your OB/GYN since it makes it easier for them to help you remain healthy.

Get Active – sounds easy enough, but busy schedules can make exercising daily a hard task to complete. So, instead make simple changes; take the stairs, park farther away from the entrance at the grocery story or 

Eat Healthy – convenience is obviously always easier, but by avoiding those drive thru you can make a step toward a healthier you. Pack a lunch the night before that also includes healthy snacks such as; fruits, vegetables or low calorie snack packs to avoid those tricky sugary treats that show up on your desk.

Avoid unhealthy behaviors – such as smoking, not wearing your seat belt or helmet.

Safe guard your skin – With summer fast approaching, safe guarding your skin is essential, not only for temporary protection, but protection from those unwanted wrinkles and sunspots in the future. By safe guarding your skin you can also decrease your risk of skin cancer. Just by applying sun tan lotion or wearing a nice hat can help from both UVA and UVB rays.

Taking the opportunity to practice staying healthy in small changes during your daily routine, can help you stay healthy in the future.

~ Sarah, Planned Parenthood Advocate

These groups – known as “crisis pregnancy centers” – are anti-choice operations that pose as abortion clinics. Once a woman walks through a crisis pregnancy center’s door, she could be subjected to anti-choice propaganda and lies about abortion, birth control, and even pregnancy.

Ten percent of the profits from October Baby go to fund organizations that match the description of anti-choice CPCs. And the movie's website lists Care Net and Heartbeat International, two umbrella organizations that support CPCs, as partners.

If filmmakers want to make a movie with an ideological message, that is entirely their right. But American moviegoers also have the right to know whether their ticket dollars are going to fund organizations that deliberately mislead women.

~Alisha Sedor, NARAL Pro Choice South Dakota

From the website, “When Grace’s teacher revels that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate in the school’s mock election. But soon she realizes that she has entered a tough race.

This timely story not only gives readers a fun introduction to the American electoral system but also teaches them the value of hard work, courage, and independent thought—and offers an inspiring example of how to choose our leaders.”

Reviews for this gem includes "...the book delivers lessons on electoral votes, polls, and the reason every vote counts." - The New York Times

"DiPucchio and Pham are game gals. Explaining the electoral system to adults isn’t easy, but they make it understandable to kids." - Booklist

~Carmen, Planned Parenthood Advocate

Name It. Change It. is a non-partisan project of WCF Foundation, Women’s Media Center, and Political Parity. Their goal is to end sexist and misogynistic coverage of women candidates by all members of the press—from bloggers to radio hosts to television pundits.

Name it. Change it. challenges the media to think before they talk about female candidates: If you wouldn’t ask a man about his children at home, don’t ask her. Don’t use shrill or attractive to describe her unless you would use the same to describe him.

The initiative challenges us all to be on the lookout for sexist commentary and remarks about women candidates in the media. When we “name” sexism by calling it out, we have the opportunity to “change” it. If you witness instances of sexist media coverage, they provide a place to report it and a place for journalists to pledge gender neutrality in their reporting.

The hope is that by eliminating media attacks on women, more women will be willing to run for office. In a world where women are 50% less likely than men to seriously consider running, we need all the help we can get.

~ Alisha Sedor, NARAL Pro Choice South Dakota

We’re planning ahead for summer. We’re in need of four (or more) guest posts for the summer months of The Team Roe Times Unofficial Book Club. If you’ve read a pro-choice book or two (and we’re sure you have!) let us know the book and if you’d be willing to submit a review for our newsletter. You can submit a comment here or you can email me at ctoft@ppmns.org.

Book reviews aren’t difficult and are around 200 words. The best part of book club is showing off the cool/ smart/ funny book you’ve read!

Thanks in advance for helping out. I can’t wait to see what you’ve read!

~Carmen, Planned Parnethood Advocate

Packed inside this fabulous issue is a book review of "Grace for President", information on SDSU's Campus Women's Coalition's Week to End Violence, the Name It. Change It. philosophy, details on the film "October Baby", AND SO MUCH MORE! Please enjoy and share widely.

Download The Team Roe Times Vol 2 Issue 4