Sandra Fluke recounts entering the public spotlight as a Georgetown Law student advocating for birth control coverage in the Affordable Care Act. Fluke focuses on the refusal of Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to hear her testimony, and her eventual testimony before the House Democratic Steering Committee. Fluke discusses how Rush Limbaugh mocked her testimony, and how she used that at tention to amplify her advocacy. Fluke also reflects on her interactions with President Obama, and remembers her two phone conversations with the president during which he thanked her for her advocacy. Also discussed are Fluke's introduction to feminism in college, her speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, her campaign for the California State Senate in 2014, and her work at Sanctuary for Families and Voices for Progress
Presidents--United States; Birth control--Law and legislation--United States; Women's rights--Law and legislation--United States; Medical care--Law and legislation--United States; Women--Social condition--United States; Fluke, Sandra; Obama, Barack
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2022
Physical Description
35 pages
Note (Biographical)
Sandra Fluke is an American public interest attorney, progressive advocate, and political candidate. She came to public attention when Republicans refused to hear her testimony to the House Oversight Committee on the importance of birth control covera ge in the Affordable Care Act. She later testified before the House Democratic Steering Committee, and her testimony was mocked for days on the Rush Limbaugh radio program. Fluke spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and ran for the California State Senate in 2014. At the time of the interview, Fluke was president of Voices for Progress, a progressive advocacy group
Note
Interviewed by Nicole R. Hemmer on February 5, 2022. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Sandra K. Fluke, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023