President Nassrin Bonyadloo, political science pre-law major and ex-president Karen Pinaud, sociology and women’s studies major, traveled to Washington D.C. for the 30th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade to speak with other students nationwide about student activism and student organization on their campus.

Over 114 campuses nationwide gathered for the 2-day conference including such universities as USC and San Francisco State University.

Students came from different races and religions all for the same reason: to support women’s rights.

As chosen panelists, Nassrin and Karen were given the chance to talk to senators such as Barbara Boxer (CA) and Sheila Jackson (TX). They also were given the chance to talk with CNN and Time magazine about the importance of reproductive rights for young women.

On the first night of the conference, students marched to the Supreme Court to show their support for abortion rights.

There were representatives from all 50 states present to talk about women’s rights and their bodies and how Bush wants to take away abortion.

When discussing the possibility of Bush taking away the right for a women to choose whether she wants to keep a baby or not, Nassrin said, “Our philosophy about women’s rights is if we can’t choose what we want for our bodies, then how are we as a society?”

On the second night, Nassrin and Karen met with Donna Brazille, who was the campaign manager for the Democratic Nominee Al Gore during the 2000 elections, and other congresswomen who were very serious about keeping women pro-choice.

Students who went to the event learned about how to be stronger advocates of reproductive freedom, leadership and mobilization strategies for advancing pro-choice grassroots campaigns and heard from renowned feminists like Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation; Kin Gandy, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Gloria Feldt, President of Planned Parenthood to name a few.

After listening to some women speak, Nassrin says, “I think it is so inspirational that some of these congresswomen who are already past their time of their reproduction ages are fighting for women everywhere.”

Workshops ranged from issues that affect women globally to understanding what pro-choice activism is.

Not only are feminists mad about Bush wanting to take away women’s right to choose, but they are also angry because Bush won’t pay for those 60,000 mentally disabled women who have been raped or molested who cannot take care of themselves and yet Bush expects them to take care of their babies.

The conference left students wth a lasting impression on those who spoke and to those who listened to the speeches presented.

“This conference was a time to remember. It was a life changing experience and it shows me that feminism is the right path to choose if you are trying to better humanity,” says Nassrin.