Hello, all! My name is Paloma Pinto. I am a rising junior at Tulane University majoring in Communications and Digital Media Production with a minor in Public Health. I am originally from New York, relocated to Houston three years ago, and have fallen in love with New Orleans in the two years I have spent here so far. Moving to the south has made me more aware of the political restrictions placed on the female body. I’ve since been quite interested in reproductive and sexual health, as well as reproductive rights. With a couple of friends I have launched Peachwave Magazine, an online platform that makes stories and information regarding sexual health accessible to young people. As an editor of Peachwave and beyond I have been actively working towards creating and facilitating open conversations regarding sex.
This summer I will be interning at the New Orleans Abortion Fund. More specifically, I will work on NOAF OutLoud, a project that gives women who have had abortions an opportunity to voice their experience through storytelling. This method for advocating access to abortion helps expose not only the legal and political hurdles faced by women, but also the social and cultural stigma that so often silences their voices. This internship allows me to advocate for a cause that I am passionate about, and grants me the opportunity to serve the women of New Orleans in a meaningful way. I am excited to engage the New Orleans community, interact with people, learn about their concerns, and help them find responses to those concerns. The internship will also provide an opportunity to learn how to channel the social and political resources available to empower the women of this great city, and provide an outlet to amplify their voices in the community. I can’t wait to start.