When the US Supreme Court made the landmark decision on June 24, 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, women and womb-bodied individuals were robbed of their fundamental right to reproductive freedom putting their health and safety at risk. Just like that 50 years of protecting the constitutional right to abortion had ended, leaving many unable to access safe and legal abortions in their home states. PodHER, a female-lead, Latina-run, non-profit organization founded by Ingrid Silva helps all women embrace and understand their power through storytelling and meaningful conversations. They wanted to create a community to help those affected most by this devastating decision.

The overturning of Roe v Wade removed the constitutional right to abortion but the First Amendment says that ”Congress shall not make any laws prohibiting the exercise of any given religion”. So, we hacked the system by creating a religion that includes the right to choose as a core tenet. The Congregation is a belief system created to help make abortion a constitutional right again, leveraging the Constitution to protect individuals' most fundamental rights. Through the creation of our belief system and efforts, we are exploring how the first amendment of the constitution can be used to protect reproductive rights by a religious liberty claim in a post-Roe United States. In order for a religion to be recognized, the core beliefs must be documented. Our challenge was to create a "bible" for the 21st century that outlines the beliefs of The Congregation without being connected to any specific religion.

We approached this task with a goal to create a system of beliefs meant for all people, grounded in empathy and community. We wanted to start an ongoing conversation to protect unconditional bodily autonomy for everyone. We looked to those affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, those fighting for reproductive rights and freedoms for all, those enforcing and deciding on these laws, and those who influence how these stories are told. We gathered information about anti-abortion laws and sentiments, the current social climate, and the effects of these laws on individuals, communities, and the country as a whole. We looked to the Constitution and reproductive history from a time when safe abortions were legal to where we are today. We also learned about unsafe and illegal abortions as well as the risks associated and stories of our healthcare heroes.

In order for a religion to be recognized, our core beliefs needed to be documented. Our challenge was to create a "bible" for the 21st century that outlines the beliefs of The Congregation without being connected to any specific religion. The book consists of various sections delving into our tenants, mission, and includes interactive elements such as maps and pages that tear out to be used as protest posters. The entire book reinforces the mission to unite people in the fight for reproductive justice in the United States.

Our members could experience our “Sunday service” all week long from anywhere in the world through our Instagram AR filter, join our pro-choice choir singing along to our “Choice” chant, and spread the word of our “pro choice gospel” through sharable Instagram posts.

More than 9 thousand members have already helped dozens of women get safe abortions through the Brigid Alliance, hundreds getting mental health support after an abortion through Exhale Pro Voice, and legal support tapping into 'religious exemption' (religious right to abortion) through the Center for Reproductive Rights.