White House invites radical student-led group ‘Generation Ratify’ to inform abortion policy for young people

The White House has extended an invitation to the radical youth group Generation Ratify to discuss the “importance of abortion access and other reproductive care for young people with the White House Office of Public Engagement and the Gender Policy Council,” according to GR’s executive director.

The invitation comes weeks after GR led nationwide school walkouts in a “mass youth mobilization to defend abortion.” The pro-abortion rallies reached thousands of students as young as 14.  

President Joe Biden established the Gender Policy Council in 2021—which completely excludes boys and men— to “advance gender equity and equality” and “increase access to comprehensive health care, address health disparities, and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights.” Former Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in May that the president would consult the Gender Policy Council in discussions about executive action on abortion.

The White House’s policy wing is now consulting the student-led group, which will “communicate [its] demands and stories directly to the White House” in-person on June 7, GR co-founder Rosie Couture said on an online forum.

Couture founded the group in 2019 to “get more youth involved in the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.” The organization has over 50 chapters nationwide and parental or school consent is not required to start a chapter. Generation Ratify has become increasingly focused on abortion rights  following the release of a leaked Supreme Court opinion that could overturn Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional guarantees for legal abortion and returning the issue to state and national legislators.

The Supreme Court is expected to release its formal ruling on the abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, this month. 

The White House has invited other young activists, including pop star Olivia Rodriguo, to promote COVID-19 vaccines. In March, the White House hosted a Zoom call to brief 30 TikTok stars on the war in Ukraine. The administration also works with Gen Z for Change to distribute news via social media influencers.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.