Sharday Urtarte is a Dominican Communication Strategist from the South Bronx, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of social justice and community engagement. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Strategic Communications, she currently leads initiatives at Planned Parenthood Federation of America that champion Black and Latina maternal health, ensuring these vital issues are front and center in the fight for reproductive rights.
Why are you voting this year?
This election feels different. I say “feel” because we’ve been here before. We’ve witnessed genocide occurring while, as a first-world country, we were distracted by pop culture—like the genocide in Rwanda while the O.J. Simpson trial dominated headlines. Black women have been facing reproductive health injustices long before the fall of Roe v. Wade. But this time, our country has made it painfully clear that the Black body—systematically and humanely—does not matter.
So, I vote to protect Black bodies, Black autonomy.
What changes do you want to see in your community?
I advocate for the enhancement of social services for individuals who have been formerly incarcerated, focusing on supporting women who wish to maintain their roles as mothers. Access to comprehensive reproductive health and mental health services is essential for mothers serving time, enabling them to address their unique needs. No woman or parent should be deprived of the opportunity to see their child, especially when they have committed no crime or inflicted harm. Our current system is structured in a way that often fractures families. I believe we must create a system that prioritizes family integrity and offers the necessary support to foster healthy familial relationships.
How do you feel about this year’s election and what’s on the ballot?
This year’s election is critical, and it feels particularly urgent as we face a range of pressing issues that impact our communities deeply. We have essential topics such as reproductive rights, healthcare access, criminal justice reform, and economic equity on the ballot. Each of these issues reflects policy choices and our values as a society.
As we navigate these turbulent times, it’s clear that grassroots movements are more critical than ever. The power of our votes can catalyze meaningful change, especially for marginalized groups who have historically been disenfranchised. This election is an opportunity for us to assert our collective will and demand a future that prioritizes justice, equity, and dignity for all.
I feel a sense of responsibility and hope; it’s a chance for us to rally together, mobilize our communities, and ensure our voices are heard. The stakes are high, and it is crucial that we engage in this electoral process with passion and commitment. Our votes will shape the trajectory of our society for years to come.
What would you say to change the mind of someone who doesn’t plan to vote?
Voting is our superpower to create positive change for our community and determine a better quality of life for us—seismic change would occur if 100% of us voted. The power to create change is in our hands when we hold that ballot. So, let’s use our vote to ask for what we want.
What’s your voting plan?
Voting Early. I’ll be in Missouri working with the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom.
On Election Day, where do you plan to watch the election results?
In Missouri.
About Sharday:
Sharday Urtarte is a Dominican Communication Strategist from the South Bronx, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of social justice and community engagement. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Strategic Communications, she currently leads initiatives at Planned Parenthood Federation of America that champion Black and Latina maternal health, ensuring these vital issues are front and center in the fight for reproductive rights. Sharday led Planned Parenthood’s 2022 midterm “Get Out the Vote” campaign and Apple’s WARD Program for anti-racism, demonstrating her commitment to civic engagement and social equity. As chair of the National Black Association Employees Relations Group, she empowers colleagues to create a more inclusive workplace and advocates for policies that uplift marginalized communities.
Driven by her passion for justice and equity, Sharday is an unyielding advocate for women in prison, collaborating with the Frederick Douglass Foundation to build connections with incarcerated women and elevate their voices. She believes everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, recognizing the profound strength of sharing one’s journey. Sharday authored the Abortion Rights & Black Maternal Health Civic Engagement Initiative for the National Urban League Young Professionals, impacting over 10,000 members. Her dedication to advocacy has led her to be selected for the 2024-2025 cohort of the National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program and to serve on the 2024 New York County Democratic Committee Independent Screening Panel. Recognized as a 2024 Memorial Foundation Social Justice Fellow and a Georgetown University Emerging Leaders graduate, Sharday leverages strategic communication and grassroots organizing to create impactful change, relentlessly pursuing equity and justice for all while believing in the power of community to drive meaningful change.
