Our Impact
At the Wood County Women's Rights Alliance, we believe that meaningful change starts with action. It’s not enough to talk about equality and justice — we show up, give back, and put real effort behind our mission.
Cocktails & Contraceptives sells out, raises $1,300 for Planned Parenthood.
On May 17th, 2025, the WCWRA held Cocktails & Contraceptives!, a sold out event to benefit Planned Parenthood Vienna. Cocktails and Contraceptives provided attendees with information on the use of different contraceptives, the US history of contraceptives, and free access to condoms and over the counter birth control pills, all while sipping on themed cocktails! The walls displayed Planned Parenthood testimonials regarding the quality of care and ease of access services that Planned Parenthood provides.
In its most basic form, C&C was a love letter to Planned Parenthood-to their patients, their staff, and their supporters. It was a love letter to all those who continue to fight for reproductive freedom through access to contraceptives, sex education, abortions, gender affirming care, period equity, and quality, compassionate, affordable healthcare.
The WCWRA was thrilled to donate half of all proceeds and donations from the evening to Planned Parenthood Vienna, totaling $1,300. The remaining funds for the WCWRA will be used for our Pink Period Pantries and combined work with Planned Parenthood for period equity initiatives!
The Cocktails and Contraceptives event featured several personal stories about our communities experience with and gratitude for Planned Parenthood and their services.
“Planned Parenthood provided me with life saving gender affirming care. Without them I wouldn’t be here today. I owe them my life and will continue to fight for them every day.”
___________
“Planned Parenthood gave me an abortion that saved my life. From the second I stepped in the door every staff member was kind, gentle, and comforting. I will never forget the care they provided me. Thank you so much. What you do matters and you make such a difference in so many lives.”
___________
“When I was 25 I got pregnant and didn’t want to have a baby. Planned parenthood helped me get access to abortion pills so I didn’t have to have a child I didn’t want. Sometimes it really is that simple. Or it should be anyway.”
___________
“Planned Parenthood gave me contraceptives when I was a teen and was too afraid to shop at the store for condoms. without them I would have been pregnant at 16 and would probably have multiple STD’s. They helped all my friends. I can’t understand why anyone would be against the work they do.”
___________
“Virtual/phone appointments guaranteed I can get my birth control prescription for 3+ years as a busy working mom of 3 this is probably the biggest factor in ensuring that my family doesn’t grow in a time that we can't afford physically, mentally, emotionally or financially to grow.”
___________
The ease of access for birth control has guaranteed me having it for the last 3+ years. My last pregnancy was an ectopic pregnancy that ended in a surgical abortion. Scar tissue from that D&C as well as my 3 previous c-sections leaves me at a higher risk of future ectopic pregnancies. The gynecologist is a room full of babies and pregnant women and I truly wasn't ready to give up that part of my life at the time so I wasn't ready to go to a gynecologist even for my follow up appointment after surgery. Planned parenthood allowed me to have the appointment virtually in the privacy of my home without the confrontation of expecting or new mothers in a waiting room for 1-2 hours because the doctor got pulled for a delivery. I have 3 living children that need me whether I was ready to give up that part of my life or not, it wasn't a risk worth taking and Planned Parenthood made sure I had the resources I needed in the way I needed them.”
Donation drive brings in over 500 items for domestic violence survivors
During the month of March, the WCWRA hosted a donation drive for EVE, Inc., a gender-inclusive domestic violence shelter in Marietta, Ohio. They provide emergency shelter, a 24-hour toll free hotline, legal advocacy and service coordination, counseling and children’s programs, mobile advocacy, childcare and transportation, education, support groups, and referrals.
The donation drive for socks and underwear for all ages and genders was held with the help of two local businesses – The Flower Daddy and ONE. Skin Care Studio volunteering as drop off points for these items. Together, we brought in hundreds of socks and underwear for all ages and genders who receive services and care at Eve, Inc.
Pink Period Pantry established at Westbrook Health Services
Following the massive success of our period product drive for local schools, we recognized a significant deficit in accessibility to menstrual products in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Through private donations of money and time, the Pink Period Pantry was created! Westbrook Health Services graciously reached out to provide a space for the pantry at their Dudley Avenue location. We held the pantry’s ribbon cutting ceremony on April 2nd and were featured in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel. We are excited for the potential the pantry has to positively impact this community. Menstrual hygiene is a human right!
International Women’s Day Rally, March 2025
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, the Wood County Women’s Rights Alliance partnered with the West Virginia Women’s Alliance, WV Free, Women’s Health Center of West Virginia, West Virginia Federatiok of Democratic Women, YWCA Charleston, People’s Unity Project, and Fairness West Virginia for a rally and press conference at the West Virginia State Capitol. Members from these organizations spoke passionately about women’s rights, trans rights, healthcare, education, and more during this enthusiastic rally with over 300 attendees.
First Annual Viva La Vulva a smashing success!
On February 15th, 2025, over 120 residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley packed into the Parkersburg Art Center for the Wood County Women’s Rights Alliance first annual Viva La Vulva celebration. Members of the WCWRA and beyond celebrated each other with joyful education booths, silent auctions from over 20 local and nationwide businesses, drinks, and dancing!
As part of our commitment to joining social events with education, presentations and informational booths included services and information by Planned Parenthood , Eve Inc. domestic violence shelter information, an “Ask Me Anything” booth with local OBGYN doctors and nurse practitioners, vulva labeling, and common myths/facts regarding genitalia and bodily autonomy.
Vagina is one of the most censored words in the world. Foof, monkey, vajeen, vajayjay, front bottom, down there. All of these share a common theme: they’re rooted in shame. So often in our society the words “vagina” and “vulva” are so rooted in shame that they are literally unspeakable, hushed over, or whispered, even in private settings.
A study done by Teen Vogue in 2016 surveyed 1,000 women and found that 60% couldn’t label the vulva in drawings. It’s also estimated 1 in 3 women miss their Pap smears due to vulva shame. Women and gender diverse people are misinterpreting symptoms of cancer and other diseases because they either don’t know their own anatomy or they are too ashamed to go to the doctor and discuss it.
The WCWRA’s mission for Viva La Vulva is to eradicate this shame so women and gender diverse people can feel empowered and emboldened in the bodies we are forced to fight for every day.
We know the amount of work to do in this world is overwhelming. Sometimes, almost all of the time, it feels like it’s too much, like it’s too big, and you’re too small. But buying a ticket to a grassroots event, or supporting your local Planned Parenthood, or standing up for your bodily autonomy are all steps we can take right now. All of our steps together will force a dent in the ground that we will someday build a road on. The WCWRA wants to thank each of you for every step you’ve taken with us and every dent you’ve forced into the ground. We can only build this road together.
Period Product Drive
The WCWRA held its first community wide fundraiser, partnering with our local Planned Parenthood to collect period products for local schools. From December to January, community members were asked to donate tampons, pads, carrying cases, and panty liners to local business drop off locations. Drop off businesses from the Mid Ohio Valley included The Flower Daddy, ONE. Skin Care Studio, Temple Challenge, Rooted Wellness MOV, Ink & Honey, Auto Aid, and EyeDoctors WV.
Collections from these local businesses, WCWRA meetings, and donations sent in from individuals from California to New York, totaled a staggering 3,500+ tampons and pads to give back to our local schools. No one should miss school due to period poverty or period shame. We are proud to work with our local Planned Parenthood to ensure access to a variety of period products so students can feel comfortable going to school and receiving the education they so rightly deserve.
Lynnwood Library Drive
In November 2024, the WCWRA hosted its first local donation drive for the Lynnwood Library in Vienna, WV.
MC Augstkalns maintains and operates the Lynnwood Library and pantry, which houses a treasure trove of supplies, food, and books for adults and children. The Lynnwood Library is part of a national non profit organization, Little Free Library, whose mission is to “be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.”
Members of the WCWRA collected over one hundred items including toothpaste, paper towels, knitted hats, canned goods, school/office supplies, toys, puzzles, and books.
