URGE is a reproductive rights and justice non-profit organization in the United States based in Washington, D.C. It is youth-led, with a focus on pro-choice movements. URGE changed its name in July 2014 and was formerly called Choice USA. In a statement on its website, the group said the name change reflected work it was already doing outside of abortion rights advocacy. It described its mission as “catalyzing the power of young people to fight for the ability of all people to build the families they want, access the healthcare they need, and to live and love in the way that’s true to who they are."
History and organization
URGE was co-founded in 1992 by Gloria Steinem, an American feminist, activist, and writer. The organization's first projects analyzed the activities of the religious right in elections and promoted electoral participation by women, young people, and people of color.
In recent years, the organization has focused its efforts on mobilizing people under 30 in support of abortion rights, comprehensive sex education, and access to sexual health and wellness services.
Campaigns and activities
In 1996, the Next Generation Campaign was created in response to the decline in young people’s support for reproductive choice compared to previous generations, assisting in the organization's transition to exclusively youth-led and focused
In 2005, URGE focused on defeating California Proposition 73, which would have amended the California Constitution to ban performance of abortions on minors until 48 hours after the minor's parent or guardian were notified by a physician
In 2005, URGE launched a National EC Campaign, in an effort to urge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make emergency contraception available without a prescription
In 2006, URGE joined in the cross-organization campaign to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which excludes abortions from covered Medicaid services
In 2006, following the approval of over-the-counter sales of emergency contraception to women 18 and older, URGE joined in the fight to make emergency contraception available for all women at health care centers and pharmacies
In 2006, URGE and the Latina Institute for Reproductive Health hosted the Young Women's Collaborative training, the first training for what would later become the Southwest Partnership, in Tucson, AZ.
In 2007, URGE collaborated with other organizations to support the Fairness in Flowers campaign, in an effort to change working conditions for female flower workers in Ecuador and Colombia
In 2007, URGE began working with students to reverse the negative impact of the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act on Birth Control prices on college campuses.
In 2007, URGE sent 35 Reproductive Justice Youth Ambassadors to the first United States Social Forum in Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the discussions and activities around reproductive and sexual health and social justice
In 2007, URGE began a collaboration with Generations Ahead on Egg Donation
In 2008, URGE hosted the first annual Gloria Steinem Membership Conference.
