Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
Jessica González-Rojas is the Deputy Director at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, the only national reproductive justice organization that specifically works to advance reproductive health and rights for Latinas. Jessica is a member of the organization’s senior management team, responsible for spearheading communications strategies, managing operations at offices in New York and Washington DC, and overseeing all policy and advocacy initiatives.
Jessica was honored by El Diario/La Prensa, the nation’s oldest and largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States, as one of 2009’s “Mujeres Destacadas” (Women of Honor). She is a regular contributor to El Diario/La Prensa on pressing reproductive health issues in the Latina community, as well as a regular media voice in local and national outlets such as National Public Radio, the Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC-FM), the Boston Globe and the New York Times.
Jessica frequently speaks about the National Latina Institute’s work at national conferences, and provides policy expertise including testimony at congressional briefings. Jessica provided content for the groundbreaking publication, “Reproductive Justice Briefing Book: A Primer on Reproductive Justice and Social Change”, contributed an NLIRH publication in the anthology, Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, 2nd Edition (Routledge Press, 2010) and served as an Advisory Member for the publication of Latina/o Sexualities: Probing Powers, Passions, Practices, and Policies (Rutgers University Press, 2010).
Jessica has held leadership roles in numerous local and national organizations that promotes social justice advocacy, including serving on the Board of Directors of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) and Medical Students for Choice. She was elected to the New York State Democratic Committee for the 39th Assembly District from 2002-2006, representing the diverse communities of Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst and Woodside.
Jessica is an Adjunct Professor of Latino and Latin American Studies at the City University of New York’s City College and has taught courses on reproductive rights, gender and sexuality. Jessica holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Boston University, where she graduated cum laude.
In All the Debate About Breastfeeding, Where Is the Support For Mothers?
by Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
May 13, 2012 - 11:32am (Print)
In all the debate about breastfeeding and parenting, I know some choices will work for some mothers and not for others. But it is critical that as a society, we have the policies and infrastructure in place to support those decisions.
The Affordable Care Act: Hope for Health Care Equality For All
by Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
March 23, 2012 - 9:10am (Print)
The Affordable Care Act is the most ground-breaking piece of legislation passed in our lifetimes to address the kinds of health disparities experienced by people of color. This law will grant access to quality health care to an estimated 32 million people who otherwise would not have been able to afford it--our sisters, our mothers, our primos, and our neighbors.
No comments
