When a reproductive health clinic closed in her town, a 16-year-old in rural Texas suddenly had to travel hundreds of miles with a parent just to access basic care (Ibis Reproductive Health). Until that moment, politics felt distant. Overnight, it became personal. 

 

Women’s health and wellbeing are at a critical turning point right now. In the past few years, millions of women in the United States have lost or seen severe limits placed on access to reproductive healthcare, often without warning, and often with the greatest impact on young girls.

 

Women have a right to make decisions about their own body. If no action is taken, access to healthcare will continue to shrink, political polarization will deepen, and women will lose fundamental rights.

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As per Reproductive Rights, in the U.S., women's health and bodily autonomy face significant challenges. Primarily through state-level abortion bans and restrictions following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, access to reproductive care has been impacted, along with broader issues like bans on gender-affirming care and systemic barriers to healthcare. According to NWLC, over 12 million women and girls lacked health insurance in 2024. These laws and policies affect real lives, creating a complex landscape of reduced control over personal health decisions and body. 

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We teens are often told we are “too young” to make change, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Youth voices are incredibly powerful because we are the ones most directly affected by the issues around us. This gives us valuable insight into the problems we face. In addition, we bring fresh energy, creativity, and a sense of urgency that highlights how crucial change truly is. Youth leadership is not optional; it is essential.

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Change doesn’t start “someday” or somewhere else—it starts with people who decide to step in right where they are. Impact doesn’t require perfection, expertise, or adulthood. There are so many ways young people can make a difference, from learning and educating peers, storytelling and writing, community outreach, and advocacy and awareness campaigns. 

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Regarding women’s health and wellbeing, Power in Place could be a great place to start; a youth-led web app that makes democracy easy for everyone. Protest the research funding cuts, abortion bans, and banned terms that endanger the health, well being, and autonomy of American women. Olivia Walters, the founder of Power in Place, has a simple, yet powerful goal: empower Americans to advocate for women’s health. In less than a minute, you can find your representatives and contact them to demand change on issues like abortion bans and restrictions, women’s health research funding cuts, and racialized gaps in maternal healthcare thanks to the tools Power in Place equips you with. This initiative connects personal passion to real-world impact.

 

If Power in Place’s mission resonates with you, we invite you to get involved. Whether that means joining a project, learning more about their work, contributing your skills, or simply sharing their message, there’s a place for you.

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You don’t need to have all the answers, just the willingness to care and to act. Real impact is built together. When individuals come forward, communities grow stronger, and collective effort turns possibility into progress. Your voice, your skills, and your presence matter. Let’s take the next step, together.