Women pump iron in San Francisco to steel for abortion-access struggle
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) -- On Saturday, women at a San Francisco gym used their muscle to show strength for women in states that have restricted access to abortion.
Danielle Repetti, the owner of the female-focused fitness studio Iron & Mettle in San Francisco, hosted a bench press competition that served as a fundraiser for the Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, a non-profit organization that helps women access safe and legal abortion services.
"Our gym is a strength-training studio made for women. We support women. We believe they're strong and resilient. Abortion is health care. It is, specifically, women's health care. I just couldn't think of a better cause to support in this moment," she said. "With Roe v. Wade, it just felt like we had to do something."
The more weight a participant lifted, the more money was donated.
"If somebody benched 100 pounds for their highest rep, then that person plus all of their sponsors would donate $100 each," Repetti said. "It was dollars for pounds."
In total, the women bench-pressed more than 5,000 pounds, which meant they donated more than $5,000 to the cause.
"I'm over the moon, filled with joy about the event today and that everybody showed up in support," Repetti said.
The U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade didn't sit well with her.
"There's a lot of women who came before me who fought for this. To see that all just gone, it's upsetting," she said. "Abortion is health care. We have to continue to support abortion access for everyone."
Since the Supreme Court decision, several states have taken steps to restrict abortion access. On Saturday, Indiana lawmakers moved a step closer to a near-total abortion ban.
Even though abortion rights aren't currently threatened in California, some participants told KPIX they felt compelled to show support for women across the country.
"It's on all of our minds now," said Emma Schultz. "I'm from Georgia and Tennessee so it's definitely something close to my heart. We want to try and donate and help women everywhere."
"We wanted to come out and support and be empathetic and not stop fighting until everybody has this access," said Jennifer Hauseman.