Sunday, September 15
11:40am-12:40pm
This panel explores the white Christian nationalist roots of sustained and targeted attacks on access to abortion, contraception, and reproductive justice in the United States. Panelists will make connections between the ideology, tactics, and key players of these overlapping far right movements, offer insight into why reproductive control is a shared goal, and how you can help shape a future where full reproductive justice is accessible to everyone.
Layla Houshmand, PhD is a medical device commercial strategist. She is responsible for the divisional strategy across three franchises for a large medical devices company. She spent 5 years as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she advised medical device clients on commercial strategy and business development. Layla earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on Deep Brain Stimulation targeting and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University.
She lives in the Maryland suburbs of DC with her husband. In 2021, she experienced a rare medical emergency in the first trimester of pregnancy that necessitated an abortion. The delay in care left her mostly blind in one eye. She is a vocal proponent of abortion rights and of ending government interference in abortion.
Jakeya Johnson serves as the Executive Director of Reproductive Justice Maryland and Program Manager at the American Society for Emergency Contraception. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy, and her background in healthcare management led her to discover her passion for advocacy and policy, transforming her career into one dedicated to reproductive justice and social change.
In her advocacy work, Jakeya has played a key role in passing critical legislation, most recently including House Bill 477, which expanded access to reproductive healthcare on college campuses, and subsequent legislation in 2024 that ensures community colleges provide emergency contraception during all business hours.
She also serves on the board of the Baltimore Abortion Fund, amplifying marginalized voices and advancing reproductive freedom across Maryland.
Outside of her professional life, Jakeya enjoys spending time outdoors and creating lasting memories with her spirited 6-year-old daughter. Her dedication to gender equality, reproductive justice, and empowering underrepresented communities makes her a powerful force for positive change.
Isabella Russian is the Policy Manager at the American Humanist Association.
Aubrey Sparks is the Legal Director for ACLU West Virginia. A Western Maryland native, Aubrey is a passionate advocate for Appalachian people.
As managing attorney, Aubrey oversees ACLU-WV’s legal department and leads litigation efforts. Aubrey graduated from college at 18. She protected low-income clients from evictions and foreclosures while attending Harvard Law School. After receiving her law degree, she was awarded the Skadden Fellowship to represent low-income workers with discrimination claims at Mountain State Justice. Prior to joining the ACLU-WV staff, she was an attorney at West Virginia Legal Aid.
