UCM and Community Walk to Empower Social Change

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Carmack said, “Throughout my whole reproductive life, I had a right to choice. Now my daughters, and my granddaughters don’t, and that’s not acceptable.”

Miller worked to get Atsuki Mori, a member of the Warrensburg Diversity and Inclusion Commission, involved in the event and said she was surprised by the support she got from UCM and other community leaders.

Over the week of planning, Miller said she was extremely stressed trying to prepare for the march and get the word out.

“It was a lot of staying up all night sending emails, reaching out to all the student organizations, reaching out to community leaders and asking them to spread the word,” Miller said.

Sydney Alexander, a student at UCM, said, “We are here today not only to commemorate the first Roe decision, but also to support a women’s right to choose.”

“Student participation is monumental in making change,” Alexander said. “Students and young voters engage in what matters to them.”

She urged students to remain engaged, both with their voices and with their vote on issues that they care about. Alexander said that Women’s rights are not a gendered issue, but a human rights issue.

Henry Wambuii, a Professor of Politcal Science at UCM, spoke as an ally to the movement. His speech focused on the importance of democracy in the issue of reproductive rights.

“I am here as a father that has a daughter, I am also a brother to many sisters, an uncle to many, I am a teacher to hundreds of young women,” Wambuii said. “I am afraid for many women whose health and rights mean the world to me.”

He said that in the United States, there is an emphasis on democracy and the right to voice concerns.

“A woman’s health, not just her health, her wellbeing, and her ability to live happily in a democracy is that much important today,” Wambuii said. “That’s why we are joining here today.”

He urged the community to let their voices be heard, and to listen.

Jessica Piper, Democratic candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives, shared her own personal experience at the march.

“I am 47 years old, I have three grandkids, Roe was decided before I was born, it has been a decision my entire life,” Piper said.

She cited how Missouri was the first state to ban abortions post-Roe, as a trigger law took effect as soon as the Supreme Court overturned Roe.

Piper said the ban on abortions in Missouri could be dangerous for pregnant people trying to seek medical care, and that 3 million people in Missouri have now lost those protections.

She called out the young people, Piper said that young people have the power to vote and elect representatives who share these values.

“Sometimes when you get in gatherings like this, it doesn’t feel like much,” She said to the crowd. “But you all are so powerful in coming together, creating change and talking about change.”

“The only thing you can do is come together in groups like this and consolidate your power, and take that power to Jeff. City,” Piper said. “Nothing changes until every single one of you stands up and does something about it.”