We learn that McAllen Pregnancy Center has purchased the building 3 doors down from Whole Woman’s Health. We take a look inside McAllen Pregnancy Center where Yolanda Chapa, the owner, explains what MPC is through their lens. During this interaction, we see the relationship between Yolanda and Mercedes at a more interpersonal level. Mercedes provides an example of how they promote MPC to the public in spite of the realities WWH clinic escorts have detailed through experience.
Clip 2: A Look Inside McAllen Pregnancy Center
Mercedes and Gabriel talk about her need to head to McAllen Pregnancy Center, in spite of slight reluctance from Gabriel. Mercedes is attending as a patient, and goes through the intake process with Yolanda Chapa, who explains to Mercedes that she needs to vote Republican. Yolanda then speaks to Gabriel separately about religion and Mercedes’ Christian journey and ultimately reveals to Mercedes that she is not pregnant, where Mercedes becomes emotional.
Clip 3: Beyond Abortion
Mercedes heads to WWH to pray at the clinic. She discusses how Catholics view birth control and how her religion impacts her daily life. Mercedes discusses the turmoil in her relationship and how it is making her doubt her beliefs. She then begins to question even her own views on sexual health and abortion because she realizes that access to reproductive healthcare is important.
Clip 4: Rosie Jimenez Was One of Us
Denisse is studying to be a nurse and midwife to change the culture surrounding birth, especially in the Valley. She mentions how she passes by the cemetery to visit Rosie Jimenez’s grave. Denisse shares Rosie Jimenez’s tragic story and how her story resonates with many people in the valley, including Denisse herself.
Clip 5: Abortion is Essential
Anti-abortion people are holding their annual “March for Life” while pro-abortion activists are defending the clinic in a counter-protest. We see a glimpse of the true divide in views of abortion from McAllen to SCOTUS in Washington, DC. In a voiceover, Denisse explains the importance of abortion access, why people seek abortion care, and the definition of reproductive justice.
Sources
Authored by:
Cathryn Torres
Cathryn Torres (she/her/hers/ella) has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Cathy is an Advocates for Youth alumnus who participated in Young Women of Color for Reproductive Justice for a span of 4 years. She now serves as a member of Advocates for Youth’s Board of Directors. She has 7 years experience in community organizing with a focus on social and reproductive justice. Cathy has been a volunteer with Frontera Fund, the Rio Grande Valley's sole abortion fund, since 2016 and joined the Frontera Fund Board of Directors in 2019 where she worked as the lead helpline volunteer and event planner. She has since come on as full-time staff with Frontera Fund as the Organizing Manager. She also serves on the Board of Directors of South Texans for Reproductive Justice, a community organization advocating for Reproductive Justice in the Rio Grande Valley. Cathryn previously worked as a Youth Medical Case Manager for 2.5 years at the Valley AIDS Council, aiding youth living with HIV in her community.
