MONTPELIER – U-32 high school juniors Ella Thomas and Annalise Eckhaus, both from Calais, have been discussing the next steps for HERVermont, after unveiling their mural for reproductive justice.
courtesy photo
The project began in the fall of 2023 as an option for students to get health credits via a self-directed learning program in lieu of taking the conventional course. Eckhaus, Thomas and other students connected with Kayla Becker, a Montpelier-based reproductive health educator and independent psycho-spiritual bodyworker.
Founded by these five central Vermont students, HERVermont was created in an effort to share what they’ve learned, and more.
“We were working with Kayla Becker as a mentor for health and she was teaching us about anatomy, health, so we were learning a lot from that and we were inspired to share the information about our bodies because it was really amazing to learn more about that.”
Thomas said they began to learn about the history of reproductive justice, and the untold horrors women endured decades prior.
“We just felt like we needed to share this information, so that’s how the organization started. Then the mural project came about. We wanted to do something big, and communicate a message through art, and share the information we learned, and also memorialize the women who were affected.”
Speaking of next steps, Eckhaus said “Our focus right now is education, we really want to get the word out about this history and the history of eugenics, and the forced sterilization of women, because it’s so unknown.”
According to Eckhaus, HERVermont is currently in correspondence with several schools to organize presentations on the sensitive subject, with an emphasis on female health.
“Again, a lot of that is repressed knowledge due to the stigma surrounding women’s bodies. We’re also in correspondence with women on a native reservation, and doing some education there as well. A lot of the oppression was targeted at indigenous women, and that’s a really important piece of it.”
Eckhaus said she is personally very interested in art, and is considering gender studies as a prospective major. Thomas said she too is interested in continuing her gender studies. Both students commited to keep fighting for social justice and reproductive education.
The organization receives fiscal support from Mosaic VT. In late March, they hosted a mural opening ceremony at the Montpelier Arts HUB. Speakers at the event included Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Dottye Ricks of the League of Women Voters, Esther Charlestin, Patti Casey, and Jonel Beavis representing the Akwesasne. Congresswoman Becca Balint sent in a video, as well as author Scott Stern.
Described in the statewide publication Seven Days, Alice Dodge wrote, “The mural depicts a female figure kneeling at the edge of a body of water, raising her hands in what seems like a magical gesture. Three moons behind her represent the pagan triple goddess of Mother, Maiden and Crone; flowers and healing herbs grow up her body. A giant uterus floats above her as though summoned. Women’s names, of actual people who were incarcerated and some representing unknown victims, are written in white on a black sky like little stars.”
HERVermont’s future plans include creating more educational materials, hosting educational events, facilitating peer-to-peer education, creating HERVermont factions at other high schools and colleges, and eventually becoming a nonprofit according to their website at hervermont.weebly.com
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
