Surrounded by so many remarkable women at NYC CHIEF, and joined by Dr. Chelsea Clinton, I reflected on decades of work in women’s health and the ongoing fight for equity. The salon was not only a discussion of the state of women’s health but also a moment to honor the leadership and dedication that have shaped my journey and the work of Public Health Solutions.
My career has taken me from Columbia University’s Department of OB/GYN and Planned Parenthood to leading Public Health Solutions, where we have spent decades advancing health equity across New York City. We have all weathered a lot of storms, but we are in a moment right now when so much is at stake, particularly for women and their families. Women’s rights, hard fought for over generations, are being taken away.
Last year, PHS made the difficult decision to close reproductive health centers in Brooklyn that had served teens, mothers, and families for generations. While the Affordable Care Act and reproductive protections have improved access, threats remain. OB-GYNs are leaving states with restrictions; contraception is being targeted, and pregnancy itself is increasingly criminalized. Reimbursement for reproductive health services is dismally low. These changes have serious consequences for women’s health and well-being.
Women’s rights extend beyond health care. Cuts to food, housing, Medicaid, and education undermine the foundations of a healthy life. Rollbacks in family leave and childcare threaten not only women’s economic participation but also the well-being of entire communities.
When I am asked what can be done, the answer is simple: a lot can be done. We must fight back and resist, push for restored funding, and build coalitions to protect essential services. We must talk to young people about what’s at stake, share trusted information, support leaders who champion women’s rights, and make our voices heard to advocate for change.
As I look toward retiring at the end of this year, I am proud of what we have accomplished and inspired by the next generation who will carry this work forward. I am also optimistic about the hard-won progress that women’s advocates have achieved. In the face of extreme pressure, States like New York are codifying reproductive rights, expanding paid family leave, and improving pay transparency. Women’s representation in government and business is at an all-time high, driven by young women and women of color.
Lastly, I invite you to join the movement to protect the health and well-being of women in New York City by donating to the Public Health Solutions’ Women’s Health Fund, a new fund established to support programs that strengthen health and opportunity for women, children, and families across the city.
The fight for women’s rights is the fight for our democracy, and the future depends on all of us stepping up.
Lisa David, President & CEO of Public Health Solutions