Name: Hannah Stanley
Class Year: 2022
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Internship Organization: heRoe: Access for All
Job Title: Research Fellow, Web Designer
Location: Remote
Award: Goldberg Internship Fund
What’s happening at your internship?
heRoe is a reproductive health technology start-up, founded in 2020, which recently achieved nonprofit status. heRoe’s goal is to consolidate information about reproductive health in the U.S. in an accessible way so that people can understand their options, make informed decisions about their health, and pursue their choices with as few barriers as possible. Specifically, heRoe aims to help low-income people as well as those in rural areas get access to the care they need.
I am in charge of collecting and updating information regarding reproductive health legislation and access in nine states and territories in the U.S. This involves researching every abortion clinic in the area, noting where they are, what their contact information is, what their website is, and what types of abortions they provide. I also track the evolution of reproductive health related legislation in each state and territory to keep the website up to date. In addition, I identify crisis pregnancy centers (fake abortion clinics) that try to mislead or manipulate those concerned about their reproductive health. Lastly, I am working with the organization’s founder to design a website that makes our information as accessible as possible.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I occasionally check a Facebook group called Sisters Hiring (Seven) Sisters in which historically women’s college alumni post job listings and opportunities. A Barnard alumna who founded heRoe posted a listing on the page. I reached out, interviewed, and eventually received the position.
Working at heRoe has allowed me the opportunity to become educated on the status of reproductive rights legislation and access in the U.S., which I was previously oblivious to. I am a political science major, considering law school with the intention of making the world a more just place, yet I had never even worked for a nonprofit before. Joining the nonprofit in its infancy has allowed me to make an impact on the nonprofit’s infrastructure and future, which is incredibly rewarding.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
Working at heRoe has allowed me to spend the summer strengthening and putting into practice my data collection, data analysis, and web design skills. As a political science major who spends most of my time taking courses in the humanities and learning soft skills, this job is a great opportunity to work on technical skills that I hope to use in my career.
What has working remotely for the first time been like for you?
This job is not my first time working remotely, but it is my first time working with a team that I have never met in person. I am a relational person, working most successfully in person with teams who I have developed a rapport with and structure from whoever is supervising me. Even though most of my work is solitary, I have been able to keep myself accountable working remotely by communicating with my bosses about the support that I need.
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