Amelia Bonow

Amelia Bonow Speaker Biography

Women’s Reproductive Rights Activist and Founding Director of #ShoutYourAbortion

Amelia Bonow is the Shout Your Abortion founder, a cultural strategist and reproductive rights activist reshaping how America talks about abortion. In 2015, Bonow shared her abortion story online—without apology and without shame. That act sparked a viral social media movement, inspiring thousands of people to share their own abortion experiences. Almost overnight, #ShoutYourAbortion became a global cultural flashpoint. The campaign received widespread media coverage, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, LA Times, CNN, the BBC, and Al Jazeera. At its core, SYA reframed abortion not as a secret or scandal, but as a normal and valid part of many people’s lives. As the Shout Your Abortion founder, Bonow has since built a powerful platform that pushes back against stigma and demands visibility for those who’ve had abortions. While the politics remain fraught, Bonow continues to open space for truth, storytelling, and solidarity.

#ShoutYourAbortion

After her story went viral, Bonow paused her graduate studies to grow Shout Your Abortion into a nationwide cultural movement. Unlike traditional policy advocacy, SYA focuses on storytelling, community-building, and creative disruption. Bonow helped bring abortion conversations into everyday spaces—through art exhibits, live events, viral videos, and even children’s books. In 2017, SYA’s website won a Webby Award for activism, validating its digital and cultural impact. Additionally, Bonow’s writing has appeared in Salon, The Stranger, The Huffington Post, and The New York Daily News. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Abortion Care Network and frequently speaks at Planned Parenthood events nationwide. Her contributions have earned her recognition across the reproductive rights landscape, including the Hammer and Chisel Award from filmmaker Michael Moore. According to Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood, SYA “reflects what makes me most hopeful for this next century.” Clearly, Bonow’s influence as the Shout Your Abortion founder extends far beyond hashtags—it’s reshaping public perception itself.

Abortion Rights

Bonow’s advocacy asks a powerful question: What happens when we speak openly about abortion? For her, cultural silence around abortion has enabled political erosion. Although 70% of Americans support abortion rights, recent years have seen a dramatic rollback of legal protections. Nevertheless, Bonow argues that transparency can shift this trend. When people stop hiding their abortions, they humanize the issue for their families, communities, and legislators. The anti-choice movement thrives on shame, but SYA actively dismantles that stigma. Through stories, art, and unapologetic public discourse, the movement reconnects reproductive healthcare to real human experiences. Bonow emphasizes that abortion is not rare, nor is it morally wrong. It is, instead, a deeply personal and often life-affirming choice. As the Shout Your Abortion founder, she insists that shifting the cultural narrative is essential for preserving access. In her view, changing minds will eventually change laws—and that begins with telling the truth.