It is with great sadness that we read today’s Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, overturning Roe v. Wade and eliminating a constitutional right for all Americans. Today, we are all faced with the new reality that our right to make appropriate health care and reproductive decisions has been severely curtailed and the federal protections we have enjoyed for three generations are gone.

We take some comfort that here in New York, our state and local governments have acted to protect access to reproductive healthcare and our right to choose. Nevertheless, the ramifications of this Supreme Court decision will be dangerous and far-reaching. As the dissent in Dobbs notes, “[r]especting a woman as an autonomous being, and granting her full equality, meant giving her substantial choice over this most personal and most consequential of all life decisions.” Pace Women’s Justice Center has spent the past 30 years working to ensure that our clients can exercise their legal rights and have access to justice. It is now more important than ever that we continue to do so.

— Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director

Statement from Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:

“It is with great sadness that we read today’s Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, overturning Roe v. Wade and eliminating a constitutional right for all Americans. Today, we are all faced with the new reality that our right to make appropriate health care and reproductive decisions has been severely curtailed and the federal protections we have enjoyed for three generations are gone.

“We take some comfort that here in New York, our state and local governments have acted to protect access to reproductive healthcare and our right to choose. Nevertheless, the ramifications of this Supreme Court decision will be dangerous and far-reaching. As the dissent in Dobbs notes, “[r]especting a woman as an autonomous being, and granting her full equality, meant giving her substantial choice over this most personal and most consequential of all life decisions.” Pace Women’s Justice Center has spent the past 30 years working to ensure that our clients can exercise their legal rights and have access to justice. It is now more important than ever that we continue to do so.”

It’s not unusual for working adults to consider a new career path. We develop new interests and learn how our lifestyles motivate us to succeed. Lauren Pappalardo did more than consider—she is making it happen.

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Lauren began her career with a degree in business management. She spent over five years working at various health and wellness media outlets, including Women’s Health Magazine and Well+Good while always prioritizing nutrition, fitness, and overall healthy living. Despite her already wholesome habits, she developed health issues that required her to make some changes to her lifestyle. She began working with registered dieticians and was inspired by how they were able to make such a positive impact on her. This fostered her passion and motivated her to enroll in the College of Health Professions Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program.

Lauren is passionate about improving women’s chances for bearing children, based on dietary changes. She has focused her studies on preconception, concentrating on the hormonal condition Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and how poor nutrition can affect a woman’s ability to conceive.

In her favorite course, Nutrition Across the Lifespan, Lauren developed a recipe for a black bean chocolate walnut muffin to help support and manage PCOS. “Balancing blood sugar levels and reducing inflammation are essential for women with PCOS,” Lauren explained. “This recipe contains properties that address both factors. It contains beans, a high-fiber carbohydrate to help keep blood sugar levels balanced and walnuts and avocado oil that contain omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.”

Lauren’s background in business management will be an asset to following her new career path. She hopes to utilize her combined education and experience to open a private practice that utilizes medical nutrition therapy and integrative nutrition practices. “I am excited to get to my goal of helping people with autoimmune diseases, PCOS, and gastrointestinal issues improve their lifestyle and continue to thrive,” said Lauren. Lauren Pappalardo did more than consider, she is a #PaceGoGetter and making it happen.