Student and Women’s Rights Activist Champions Pro-Choice Women at EMILY’s List
“As a woman, and specifically as a gay woman, I’ve seen the perils that come from the monopolization of women’s bodies. A key human right is the right to your person, which I believe constitutes any and all decisions surrounding your own body.”
American University senior Lily Morris discusses her time at EMILY’s List.
(Kyra McNaughton / American University)
by Kyra McNaughton
Lily Morris is currently a senior at American University majoring in International Relations. Her concentration within her major is National Security and Foreign Policy, which she says drives her passion to protect human rights for underserved populations.
As an undergraduate student, Morris works for EMILY’s List, an organization that works to support female, pro-choice, democratic representatives running for office. Her research at EMILY’s List guides her superior’s choices in the candidates they support for office.
“At the heart of EMILY’s List isn’t politics or campaigning. At the heart of EMILY’s List is work to provide the choice to safe, affordable and accessible abortions,” Morris said, “and that’s my mission too.”
Morris considers herself to be a “champion of women” as she strives to “empower and embolden women.” A key right she seeks to maintain is abortion access, which she links with bodily autonomy.
“As a woman, and specifically as a gay woman, I’ve seen the perils that come from the monopolization of women’s bodies. A key human right is the right to your person, which I believe constitutes any and all decisions surrounding your own body. Through so many cultural events since the beginning of time, women’s bodily decisions have been scrutinized, criticized and sometimes controlled. I work to empower pro-choice women at EMILY’s List and I make sure I’m doing so in my personal life as well.”
Morris often engages in debate surrounding the issue, hoping to educate those around her to make their own informed choices on abortion. She says her passion for women’s rights drives her work at the organization.
“What this country needs is women in office who’ll stand up for our rights. No one knows women better than women, which is why their representation in Congress is key in tackling this issue. And that’s why I feel so honored to give my time to such an important cause.”
