Lauren Blauvelt, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, was named to TIME’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the World on April 17.
Blauvelt, who lives in Columbus, was selected for her role spearheading the campaign for Issue 1, the Ohio constitutional amendment that sought to protect an individual’s right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions." TIME praised Blauvelt for her work as co-chair of Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, where she helped secure constitutional protections for abortion access in the state.
In a press email, Blauvelt said her journey to the TIME honor started at the University of Cincinnati.
Blauvelt, who lives in Columbus, was selected for her role spearheading the campaign for Issue 1, the Ohio constitutional amendment that sought to protect an individual’s right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions." TIME praised Blauvelt for her work as co-chair of Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, where she helped secure constitutional protections for abortion access in the state.
"Lauren Blauvelt represents all the people who worked day and night to get out the vote, and all the voters who came out in support of Issue 1 in November 2023 — the first time voters in a Republican-controlled state weighed in directly on the right to an abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Ohio provided a blueprint for other states to follow," writes TIME.
In a press email, Blauvelt said her journey to the TIME honor started at the University of Cincinnati.
"When I co-founded a reproductive rights organization at the University of Cincinnati 15 years ago, I never could have imagined that my determination for protecting Ohioans' reproductive rights would lead to my taking on a leadership role in the historic win to change the Ohio Constitution to protect abortion access," she said. "Through my roles as student intern, organizer, and now executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, I am thankful for all the opportunities I've received to partner with incredible and diverse organizations and people that truly care for our state and the people who call Ohio home."
But for Blauvelt, there's still work to be done to lessen the burden of accessing abortion care for patients in Ohio.
After Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, Ohio’s six-week abortion ban went into effect for about 11 weeks until a Hamilton County judge put a temporary restraining order on the bill. While the “heartbeat” bill was put on hold in court, abortion was legal in Ohio up until 22 weeks gestation while clashing Issue 1 campaigns fought to define the abortion narrative in the state. On Nov. 7, Ohioans passed Issue 1 with more than 56% of the vote. The language of the amendment included abortion, contraception, fertility treatments and miscarriage care. The results mean patients in Ohio and nearby states can continue to seek out legal abortion care in the state before the gestational age of viability, or about 24 weeks.
"Winning Issue 1 is not the final stop," Blauvelt said in a press email. "We still have a long journey ahead to make abortion access, and more broadly safe and thriving communities, a reality for all of us."
