Paid Summer 2008 Internship in Reproductive Freedom

In the summer of 2008, the Clara Bell Duvall Project will have a full-time, paid summer internship for an undergraduate student (approximately $4,000). The position is available through the generosity Helen O’Bannon Fund at the Philadelphia Foundation. The intern will have the opportunity to make a substantive contribution to one of our project areas which include:

• Exploring whether minors can consent to services in the emergency department following sexual assault. This project involves both legal analysis and advocacy with hospitals and others who work with sexual assault victims.
• Increasing access to emergency contraception for rape victims in emergency departments. Pennsylvania recently failed to pass legislation assuring this service. However, the health department issued regulations that will take us much further from where we are today – with only 60% of hospitals guaranteeing access. We are currently analyzing the regulations to see what changes were made to them from the comments we submitted and then we will be offering talks/grand rounds presentations to hospitals whose policies do not comply with the regulations.
• Working against abstinence-only until marriage education in public schools. We have been leading a statewide coalition fighting against this and have some success but have been unsuccessful in convincing Gov. Rendell to reject the money from the federal government. Our efforts have garnered significant press attention. However, we are now in the process of embarking on grassroots strategies in selected communities in Pennsylvania.
• Improving opportunities for pregnant and parenting teens. This year our legal department handled two cases of teens who were threatened with expulsion due to unexcused absences related to caring for their newborns. While the outcome in both cases was positive, the legal basis for the cases was weak. This summer we will be hiring a law student to help us develop a firmer legal framework and also develop an advocacy strategy (macro approach) to work for broader change in state educational policies rather than the micro approach of bringing individual lawsuits.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to duvall@aclupa.org. Please note that applicants must show evidence of their commitment to women’s rights or reproductive rights through their volunteer activities or coursework.