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U-MD EmpowerHer Center Hosts Ground-Breaking Discussion on Women's Health

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 13:26 GMT by Her Campus
      Locale: UNITED STATES

U‑MD’s EmpowerHer Center Hosts Ground‑Breaking Discussion on Women’s Health

On October 2, 2023, the University of Maryland’s EmpowerHer Center—an all‑female student‑run organization that champions women’s wellness, empowerment, and civic engagement—topped the campus calendar with a robust public discussion titled “Women’s Health: Knowledge, Advocacy, and Action.” The event drew more than 200 students, faculty, and community members to the campus’s Life Sciences Center, sparking an energetic dialogue on topics ranging from reproductive rights to mental health support systems.

Why the Conversation Matters

The EmpowerHer Center’s mission is to "create a campus culture that recognizes, celebrates, and empowers women’s health." In a time when Maryland’s political climate is increasingly hostile to reproductive autonomy, the organization sought to educate students about the implications of recent state legislation, as well as to highlight resources available on campus and beyond.

According to EmpowerHer’s executive director, Kelsey Torres, the event’s goal was “to translate complex policy into actionable knowledge for students, while ensuring that we keep a hopeful tone about the future of women’s health in Maryland.” Torres emphasized that the discussion was not merely about “issues” but about solutions—from policy change to peer support.

The Panel and Their Expertise

The panel consisted of four distinguished voices, each representing a different facet of women’s health:

1. Dr. Maya Patel, OB‑GYN and associate professor at the College of Medicine.
   - Key points: Dr. Patel explained how Maryland’s 2023 “Partial‑Abortion Ban” will affect clinic accessibility for low‑income students. She also provided data on how the law could exacerbate existing disparities in maternal mortality.
   - Resource link: The panel referenced the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) policy statements, which are posted on the UMD Medical School’s website ([ link ]).

2. Jordan Lee, Ph.D., Clinical psychologist specializing in campus mental health.
   - Key points: Lee addressed the rise in anxiety and depression among female students, especially after the COVID‑19 pandemic. She urged the creation of safe, gender‑affirming spaces for counseling and highlighted the UMD Counseling Center’s new “Women’s Wellness Hours” initiative.
   - Resource link: Lee’s talk referenced the UMD Counseling Center’s guide to mental health resources for women ([ link ]).

3. Ana González, Certified Peer Counselor and UMD Student Health Center advocate.
   - Key points: González detailed the new “Women’s Health Passport”—a digital tool that consolidates all UMD health resources, from STD testing to contraception counseling. She urged students to sign up for free quarterly health check‑ups, stressing the importance of routine preventative care.
   - Resource link: The Health Passport can be accessed through the UMD Student Health Center portal ([ link ]).

4. Maya Rojas, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Maryland Coalition for Reproductive Freedom.
   - Key points: Rojas shared grassroots strategies for advocating against restrictive reproductive laws, including voter registration drives and letter‑writing campaigns. She also spoke about the coalition’s upcoming “Reproductive Rights Education Week” in November.
   - Resource link: The coalition’s advocacy toolkit is available on their website ([ link ]).

Key Takeaways and Action Items

1. Policy Literacy Is Essential
The panel emphasized that understanding the legislative landscape empowers students to engage in civic actions. They encouraged participants to read the Maryland General Assembly’s bill summaries and to sign up for the UMD “Policy Alerts” mailing list.

2. Accessible, Inclusive Health Services
Dr. Patel and Ana González highlighted the need for services that are both affordable and culturally sensitive. Students were urged to attend free monthly health fairs hosted by the Student Health Center and to explore the UMD “Women’s Wellness Hours” for confidential counseling.

3. Mental Health as a Pillar of Physical Health
Jordan Lee drew a clear line between mental and physical wellness, noting that untreated depression can worsen pregnancy outcomes. The UMD Counseling Center’s “Women’s Wellness Hours” now offers a dedicated group session for students dealing with grief, body image concerns, or gender dysphoria.

4. Grassroots Advocacy and Community Building
Maya Rojas’ presentation underlined that student‑led activism can effect real change. She called for a “Policy Response Team” that would draft letters to local representatives, organize phone banks, and create informational pamphlets for campus distribution.

Follow‑Up Initiatives

In the weeks after the event, EmpowerHer launched several follow‑up projects:

• “EmpowerHer Hotline”: A 24/7, anonymous text line connecting students to reproductive health professionals and peer counselors.
• “Reproductive Rights Roadshow”: A mobile unit that travels to UMD’s three campuses, offering free contraception, STI testing, and informational pamphlets on Maryland’s abortion laws.
• “Women’s Health Ambassador Program”: A mentorship initiative pairing upper‑classwomen with first‑year students to guide them through the complexities of health insurance, contraceptive choices, and mental health resources.

These initiatives are showcased on EmpowerHer’s website ([ link ]), where students can sign up to volunteer or receive updates.

Final Reflections

The EmpowerHer Center’s discussion on women’s health served as a critical reminder that health is a multifaceted, political, and personal experience. By bringing together medical expertise, psychological insight, community advocacy, and institutional resources, the event offered students a roadmap to navigate the increasingly challenging landscape of women’s health in Maryland. The message was clear: knowledge, solidarity, and proactive engagement are the only tools that can safeguard women’s health amid shifting policy tides.

For more information on upcoming EmpowerHer events, visit
https://empowerher.umd.edu/events.

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