THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!
What’s it like operating an abortion clinic in Wyoming, one of the most anti-abortion states in the nation? Meet Julie Burkhart — longtime reproductive rights advocate, founder and CEO of Trust Women Foundation, which works to expand access to abortion care in underserved communities, and protégé of Dr. George Tiller, who was murdered for providing abortion care. Hear how Dr. Tiller’s legacy lives on through her work.
Why are patients traveling hundreds of miles for abortion care, post-Roe? What’s it been like to offer care in as state where arson, litigation, and political threats against reproductive care providers are part of daily life.
Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
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SHOW NOTES
WE DISCUSS
What inspired you to work in reproductive healthcare?
“… my inspiration for working in reproductive health care, you know, really came from my family. I was raised by a mother who was involved in second wave feminism. I grew up on music that called for Equality. Helen Reddy, Carly Simon. You know, I grew up on Free to Be You and Me, the children’s album that, you know, directly addressed equality.
“…And also, I just like to say that I was just kind of born this way and always felt that people not having equal rights, even as a young child, I thought was just tragic. It’s just part of my being.” – Julie Burkhart
You worked closely with Dr. George Tiller, who, at that time, ran one of the few abortion clinics nationwide that provided late-term abortions. How did his murder in 2009 affect you?
“… working in this environment, there are risks, and I don’t think anybody’s worked in abortion care and not faced those risks and threats. I mean, I have personally …
“… and I can still say, you know, that that trauma of him being assassinated is, you know, still with me. It’s, you know, with a lot of people unfortunately. I was just quoting him earlier this morning, <laugh>. So, you know, I just feel that the work that I do is, I work to not only make sure we’re serving people in this country, but also to honor him.” – Julie Burkhart
So since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022 with the Dobbs decision, how has the landscape of abortion access changed – and what trends are you seeing personally at your clinics?
“… we have seen doubling to tripling of the number of people who are needing second trimester abortion care. And why is that? Well, because people are having to wait longer, figure out all the logistics for travel. So really it puts people into a more, you know, I would say desperate situation.
“If they’re not wanting to continue a pregnancy, there is a difference between, say, having an eight-week abortion and an 18-week abortion. So that has really affected a lot of women in a lot of people in this nation.”
– Julie Burkhartd
Helpful Links
What to know about George Tiller, a Kansas abortion provider assassinated by anti-abortion extremist, The Topeka-Capital Journal
Amid abortion debates, activists remember Dr. George Tiller’s murder 10 years ago, ABC News
Barriers to Abortion Care and Their Consequences For Patients Traveling for Services: Qualitative Findings from Two States, National Library of Medicine
Reproductive Rights Denied: The Hyde Amendment and Access to Abortion for Native American Women Using Indian Health Service Facilities, National Library of Medicine
Episode Transcript
Read the full episode transcript.
Biography: Julie Burkhart
Julie A. Burkhart is the founder and CEO of Trust Women Foundation, which works to expand access to abortion care in underserved communities. She is also the President of Wellspring Health Access, a women’s health clinic in Wyoming.
With over 20 years of experience in management, policy development, and operations, Julie has built a career dedicated to advancing reproductive rights and healthcare access. She is a strategic leader known for her integrity, ability to build strong networks, and commitment to regulatory excellence.
Her expertise spans public policy, business development, and high-level advocacy, making her a key figure in the fight for reproductive freedom. Through her work, she continues to empower individuals and communities by ensuring they have the healthcare choices they deserve.
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