• RFK Jr. Says Healthy Pregnant Women Don’t Need Covid Boosters. What the Science Says. KFF Health News
• Trump signs proclamation to suspend visas for new Harvard international students, CNN
• The Devastating Harms of House Republicans’ Big, ‘Beautiful’ Bill by State and Congressional District, Center for American Progress

And as we saw relations between Elon Musk and Donald Trump explode in a public feud this week we recalled the sage words Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that summer day in 1963 reminding a divided nation that

“we need one another, and that we are stronger when we march forward, together.” 

We also read these headlines of those choosing to speak truth to power:

• Judge puts temporary hold on Trump’s latest ban on Harvard’s foreign students, NPR
  • Deeper Dive: An Update on Supporting Our International Students and Scholars, Harvard Office of the President
• Congressional Testimony: Lowering College Costs Requires More Federal Investment, Not Less, Julie Margetta Morgan, President of The Century Foundation – Link
• A Call for Constructive Engagement – 657 co-signers to a Public Statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Deeper Dive: Institutional alphabetical sort prepared by the American Medical Student Association Reproductive Health Project – Link

In closing today, we share this inspiring quote from another president who guided our United States during a deeply tumultuous time: 

“The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely, they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

May these sage words from President Lincoln remind us of “better angels of our nature” and inspire us to action.

###

Here are two upcoming events you may want to explore and share:

• June 11 Online @12pmE – How the Trump Administration and Congress Are Reshaping the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces, KFF
• June 14 Nationwide – No Kings Mass Protest – Reproductive Freedom for All & other allies

Dr. Runyan: I remind myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I know that’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s true.

I’m naturally impatient—I want to see progress, and sometimes it feels exhausting when I think about the relatively short time I’ve been doing this compared to people who have been in the fight for multiple decades. And when I look at what has happened since 2016, or even since the Dobbs decision, it’s overwhelming. Attacks on abortion care and on science itself have escalated in ways that I don’t think any of us could have fully prepared for.

But that’s exactly why it’s important to pace yourself. Burnout is real, and I remind myself that if I want to be in this work for the long haul, I have to protect my energy. The misinformation, the political attacks, the systemic barriers—it’s a lot. But at the end of the day, abortion care is healthcare, and we have to keep saying that out loud.

Dr. Runyan: One of the best examples I’ve seen is what a mutual aid group in Northern New Jersey has done for our clinic.

We have protesters outside every Saturday. It’s awful. One of the most aggressive ones is a man with a megaphone who yells in front of the building— we can hear him even while inside, working, providing care. On those days, a lot of our patients are in tears. No one should have to experience harassment while trying to access healthcare.

A volunteer in the community, who I believe had a background in women’s health, helped organize a local group to provide support. They secured grant funding and created a clinic escort program. Every Saturday, these volunteers are outside, helping patients get into the clinic safely. They’ve even stepped in to shield me from protesters a couple of times.

But they do more than just escorting. They also help coordinate patient transportation—getting people to and from the airport, making sure they have a way to get to their appointments. They’re incredible. These are the kinds of community efforts that make a real difference – having people show up in such tangible, compassionate ways means so much.

Araam: If you could leave one message for future abortion providers, what would it be?

Dr. Runyan: If you’re drawn to this field, even if you don’t think of yourself as an activist, there’s probably a piece of that drive inside you. And that’s a good thing.

This work isn’t just about today—it’s about the long game. It’s not a sprint, and it’s not even just a marathon—it’s a relay race. You have to pass the work off sometimes. You have to rest. You have to take care of yourself so that you can keep going.

The reality is, we might not see the wins we want within a few years. Maybe not even within our lifetimes. But the work continues, and every bit of resistance matters. That’s why protecting yourself—emotionally, mentally, physically—is just as important as fighting for this care.

It can be hard, depending on your personal situation. Some people have family members who don’t support their work. Others have to navigate professional environments that are hostile to abortion care. But setting boundaries and knowing when to step back is crucial.

I remind myself of these things every day because, honestly, it’s overwhelming. I get frustrated. I feel like we aren’t seeing enough progress. But the truth is, if we stop fighting, there’s no one left to push back. And that’s just not an option.

Thank you to Dr. Runyan for sharing her time and insights. These conversations remind us how vital it is to keep advocating for abortion care, supporting providers, and breaking down stigma. Hear Dr. Runyan herself @AMSAnational Instagram

###

• Federally qualified health centers in the US can’t replace #PlannedParenthood, Guttmacher Institute – Link
• The Propaganda That Threatens the FDA’s Mifepristone Regulations with Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, Public Health Scientist based at the University of California San Francisco, and Julia Kaye, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project, RePros Fight Back – Link
• Vessel: Past Land, Past Law, Past Permission – A documentary about Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, Women on Waves founder – Link

• June 9 Online @ 3-4pmE – Sisters in Survival: Stories of the Trump Administration’s Assault on Women’s Rights, Lives, and Liberties, Center for American Progress – Link
• June 18 & 24 Online @7pmE – How I Champion Respectful Care, ACOG Collective Action Advancing Respect & Equity Delegation – Link
• Aug 5-6 in Washington DC – The Power of Advocacy & The Promise  Primary Care – Association of Clinicians for the Underserved 2025 Conference – Link

• [GA] Family says woman declared brain dead but her pregnancy continues under state law: Adriana Smith’s been on life support 90+ days with weeks to go in her pregnancy. Her family questions Georgia’s heartbeat law — and why they had no say in her care. News 11 Alive – Link
• Illinois Reaffirms Abortion Access in Emergency Rooms Amid Federal Rollback, WSIU – Link
• Kansans challenge constitutionality of state law nullifying end-of-life choices of pregnant women, News From The States – Link
• Louisiana lawmakers reject adding exceptions for some rape cases to abortion ban, Associated Press – Link
• Missouri’s Historic Abortion Victory Is Crumbling Before Our Eyes: The state Supreme Court effectively restored an abortion ban voters believed they’d defeated just months ago. The reversal ​points up the risks of relying on ballot measures to ensure abortion access. The New Republic – Link
• [TX] Texas hospital that discharged woman with doomed pregnancy broke the law, inquiry finds, NBC News – Link