We’re celebrating 12 years of the Talkline this week and the incredible way our advocates hold space and offering unconditional support to all of our callers. What better way to do that than to include an Advocate Spotlight of one of our current Talkline volunteers? Camille has been on the line for just over a year now and is part of our Bloomington, IN cohort. Read on for a glimpse of Camille’s contributions to the Talkline and a little bit more about what makes her tick!
How/when/why did you first get involved with Backline/All-Options and how long have you been volunteering?
I follow a blog called Notes from a Student Midwife and Lena, the blog’s author, was a Backline volunteer in the Portland cohort. So, the extraordinary work of Backline was on my radar! I have been volunteering since October of 2015.
What’s your favorite thing about being on the Talkline?
The knowledge that a single open-hearted, judgement-free conversation can change the trajectory of someone’s experience for the better. It is a deep, personal, and meaningful way to take action in reproductive justice.
What has surprised you most in your work on the Talkline?
I am surprised by how my work with Backline and All-Options has deepened my nursing practice. I find that the Backline perspective now informs almost every client-nurse interaction I conduct in my professional life. Acknowledging another person’s agency, autonomy, and experience as a primary fact is a powerful action that can move mountains. There are many mountains to move in healthcare!
Why is an all-options approach to reproductive health and support so important?
Pregnancy does not occur in a vacuum. It is an experience that intersects with so many other facets of life. An all-options approach acknowledges that intersectionality.
Tell us something about yourself that might surprise your Backline colleagues.
I reread Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry annually. Every. Single. Year. I can’t help myself! It’s just so good.
What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
As if the answer above did not illustrate it, I adore reading. I read books other than Lonesome Dove, though.
If Backline’s mission were achieved and all people had the support and resources they needed for pregnancy, parenting, abortion, and adoption experiences, where would you volunteer your time?
I would be deepening my involvement with racial and economic justice initiatives, like Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and Bloomington United.