Join us in welcoming our new summer interns, Delaney and Aisha! 

Delaney House, Communications Intern

Delaney (she/her) joined us this summer as our Communications Intern. Delaney recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Thought & Political Economy with a secondary major in Political Science. Delaney is interested in raising awareness around abortion stigma, advocacy surrounding the right to pursue parenthood, and menstrual justice. Delaney will be helping us with our communication efforts, including our social media, newsletters, and blog posts.

What sparked your passion for reproductive health care and justice?

I have always been passionate about reproductive health care and justice, as I believe everyone is deserving of unfettered access to reproductive health care. Securing reproductive justice is so crucial as reproductive justice intersects with many forms of injustice and requires tackling systems of oppression that deny autonomy and bodily freedom. Recently, my passion for reproductive health care justice grew through my experience researching menstrual (in)justice, specifically for incarcerated people, for my honors thesis project. This research helped me understand the scope of reproductive health care issues and further strengthened my commitment to advocating for reproductive justice.

What are you most excited about in your new position at RHAP as the Communications Intern?

I am most excited about learning more about communication strategies and developing a better understanding of how to most effectively utilize media to support advocacy efforts and make information more accessible.

What is currently bringing you joy?

Being outside and enjoying the warm weather is currently bringing me joy! Luckily, this summer, I’ve had the opportunity to hike and bike frequently, two of my favorite things. In July, I got to hike in the Rocky Mountains!

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

I am currently re-reading Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado (definitely recommend!).

Aisha Tipnis, Organizing & Advocacy Intern

Aisha is a rising senior at Brown University studying Health & Human Biology with a focus on medical anthropology and the sociopolitical context of disease. Aisha is particularly interested in complicating one-dimensional views of illness and creating change within the American medical system.

What sparked your passion for reproductive health care and justice?

I’ve been interested in health sciences and reproductive health care since I realized the inadequacies in my own public high school sexual education and my first run-ins with gynecological care. But it was interning in my sophomore year of college with Planned Parenthood and teaching sexual health curriculum to high schoolers which sparked my passion for reproductive justice. Taking a college course on reproductive justice itself further shaped my passion as I learned how scientists do not exist outside of cultural norms or political landscapes, shaping and often reinforcing the same world context that they seek to explore. Fields of medicine, research and education are all directly affected by reproductive justice (or a lack thereof); what seems simply scientific — good medical care — is far more complex.

In your new position at RHAP as the Organizing & Advocacy Intern, what are you most excited about?

RHAP is such a unique organization in the way it bridges forward-thinking advocacy with such an essential and expansive (and consequently constrained) sphere of healthcare — primary care. I am most excited to work with RHAP’s team to learn how community and education can positively impact a network of primary care providers, and in turn, their patients.

What is currently bringing you joy?

Spending quality time with family and going to the beach as often as humanly possible!

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

I listen to music a lot more than I read or watch anything — I’m currently on a The Sundays kick! I also cannot stop listening to Chitty Bang by Leikeli47.