An Inside Look at MIAD 2021
In the lead up to Michigan Infertility Advocacy Day (MIAD), Michigan Fertility Alliance (MFA) took on a number of University of Michigan students and recent graduates, all of whom are connected to the school’s Women’s and Gender Studies department. Their work has been integral and immeasurable in helping us make MIAD specifically and MFA in general a success in pushing to change the surrogacy laws in Michigan. Three members of our Advocacy Team were able to jump on calls we had with lawmakers and get a behind-the-scenes look at what a grassroots movement looks like. We asked them to write up their reflections of that day focused on the question ““What does advocacy look like to you after MIAD?”
Seo Young Jang
Role at MFA: Legislative Project Lead
University of Michigan, Class of 2023
Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience
Gender and Health
As the Legislative Project lead on the Advocacy Team, my specific job was to work on setting up meetings with Michigan lawmakers and staff. Keeping neat spreadsheets proved to be vital for my job. I created spreadsheets for everything- from keeping track of every constituent’s individual representative and senator to notes on talking points. I was also responsible for setting up meetings, which became an intricate puzzle of scheduling for the big day of September 22nd. On the actual MIAD, I was busy fixing problems that arose the day of, including doing quick Google searches to figure out the world of Zoom to rescheduling no-shows. I had a chance to jump on a few of those calls as an observer, and it was so incredible and empowering to hear so many of these people I had been in touch with over the last few months sharing their stories with lawmakers.
Advocacy is a lot of logistics and setting up digital infrastructure, which can be frustrating and time consuming. But I also learned so much and am grateful for all the schedulers and policymakers who took the time to speak and email with me in the run up to MIAD. To me, advocacy looks like a lot of hard work but so very much worth the effort, as I think we all walked away inspired by what was discussed and what we are hoping to achieve. As a junior in college, I know that working with MFA to coordinate this historic MIAD is something that many my age cannot experience, so I’m extremely grateful to have had this opportunity.
Juliana Stoneback
Role at MFA: Research Project Lead
University of Michigan Class of 2021
Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience BA
Gender and Health Studies minor
Seeing advocates empowered to share their stories on September 22nd was truly an incredible experience. MFA was able to organize meetings with 40 lawmakers and their constituents. The response from Michigan lawmakers and their staff emphasized how infertility impacts so many people as well as the importance of infertility awareness and advocacy. Infertility does not discriminate. People of all ethnicities, religions, ages, and socioeconomic statuses can struggle to build families of their own. In some cases, surrogacy is the only option for people to have children. I feel proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people in support of updating Michigan’s antiquated surrogacy laws and helping people build families. It was a great feeling to see all of our hard work pay off and the impact of MFA’s advocacy work. Thank you to everyone who shared their story and participated in MIAD.
Nadia Shebli
Role at MFA: Social Media & Engagement Lead
University of Michigan Class of 2022
Women's and Gender Studies, Biomolecular science
It was an honor to sit in on one of 40 meetings that were held on Michigan Infertility Advocacy Day (MIAD). I really valued being a part of such a historic day in the infertility community in Michigan. Given that this was the first MIAD, I was blown away at the number of advocates present to tell their stores as well as the lawmakers’ eagerness to hear them out and offer support. As a women's studies student and an aspiring physician, I find lived experiences to be invaluable indicators of where activism is necessary. I think that is what made this day so remarkable to me. The lived experiences of the constituents spoke volumes to the need for a change in surrogacy laws in the state of Michigan. I stood witness to a woman who was able to say her piece in the presence of a lawmaker who eagerly followed up with "What can I do to show my support?" In its purest form, I saw advocacy take place with the Michigan Fertility Alliance, which made me incredibly proud to be taken on as part of their advocacy team.