The design of this hanky, cut from one piece of paper, uplifts grizzly bears and three plants–tansy, rue, and pennyroyal–that have documented use over centuries as abortifacients. Grizzly bears use multiple means of reproductive autonomy, with several tactics to choose when the time is right to become pregnant, and to end or prevent pregnancy when the time is not right. Tying into the popularized green hanky worn by Argentinian abortion access organizers that has spread around the world, this hanky highlights the reality that reproductive autonomy is, and always has been, a part of life.
We printed an additional edition of these bandanas, which are the cover for our recent Our Bodies Our Resistance portfolio, to make them available to a wider audience, and continue to fundraise for the National Network of Abortion Funds' Collective Power fund. The artwork is by Devon Cohen, hand-printed by Devon and Mary Tremonte at Lavender Estero Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.
The print portfolio uplifts the ongoing resistance for bodily autonomy and reproductive justice on all fronts. The artists have drawn inspiration from many points of reference: the resistance and traditional medicinal knowledge of Black and Indigenous herbalists, midwives, and birth workers who have long empowered people to self manage their reproductive care; the underground abortion networks that paved the way for today’s independent clinics and grassroots abortion funds; the revolutionary organizing of SisterSong which established the framework of reproductive justice; today’s Green Wave movement to decriminalize abortion across Latin America; trans liberation, and struggles to end gender-based violence world-wide.
The seed for this project was planted leading up to Roe v. Wade’s repeal in the US in 2022, but we situate this moment within the continuity of a centuries-long struggle against patriarchal, colonial, and white-supremacist forces, and efforts to control women, youth, trans, and queer lives through oppressive systems and laws. Our work continues, and we hope you use this art as part of your organizing efforts!
60% of the proceeds of this bandana will be donated to the National Network of Abortion Funds’ Collective Power Fund. This fund redistributes “direct abortion funding to 28 member abortion funds across more than 20 states. Funding is concentrated in the South and Midwest, where it’s often hardest to get an abortion.The Collective Power Fund supports the cost of an abortion, transportation to a clinic, childcare. lodging, and abortion doula support.”
