Deja Foxx (born April 18, 2000[1]) is a reproductive rights activist, political strategist, and blogger known for being the youngest staffer and first Influencer and Surrogate Strategist on U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, and for her work with Planned Parenthood.[citation needed]
Deja Foxx | |
|---|---|
 Foxx in 2020 | |
| Born | April 18, 2000[1] |
| Education | Columbia University |
| Years active | c. 2016 - present |
| Organization | GenZ Girl Gang |
| Known for | Reproductive rights activism Political Strategist |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Awards | Dazed 100 Teen Vogue 21 under 21 Planned Parenthood Catalyst for Change Award |
| Website | https://deja-foxx.com/ |
Early life and education
editFoxx is a Filipino-American [2][3] who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where she attended a magnet school.[4] While at school, Foxx worked at a gas station to help support her mother.[5] Foxx was made homeless after her mother could no longer care for her[6][4] and had to stay at various friends' houses.[5]
Foxx is currently[when?] a student at Columbia University on a full scholarship.[7][6] At Columbia, Foxx made the Dean's List.[8][9]
Career and activism
editFoxx became involved with Planned Parenthood after using their services as a 15-year-old.[4] When she was 16, she gained wide-spread attention after she attended a town hall and confronted former Senator, Jeff Flake, regarding his views on funding for Planned Parenthood Title X program.[4][7]
Foxx founded several organizations and platforms on the themes of feminism and reproductive rights. While in school, Foxx also campaigned for better reproductive and sex education in her school district.[10] In 2017, Foxx founded a non-profit that provides training and payment for individuals to run safe-sex clinics called The El Rio Reproductive Health Access Project. The project targets "non-traditional leaders like homeless teens, POC, and teen moms".[11] While at university, Foxx founded GenZ Girl Gang, an online support network for young women.[6]
Awards
editIn 2018, Foxx was named in Teen Vogue's 21 under 21 and in the Dazed 100 in 2019.[10][7]
For her reproductive rights activism, Foxx received Planned Parenthood’s Catalyst for Change Award.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ a b Foxx, Deja (2020-04-18). "Deja'a 20th Birthday Fundraiser". Retrieved 2023-05-05.
Today's my 20th birthday and I'm asking y'all for the best gift. The ability to give back.
- ^ Foxx, Deja (2021-05-01). "Deja Foxx on Instagram".
It's #aapiheritagemonth so a healthy reminder from me and my sisters who are all first generation Filipina-Americans that AAPI doesn't have one look or experience. There is so much diversity within our communities and even our families that's worth seeing and celebrating. Growing up, I always struggled to see myself, my multiple identities, and my brown skin represented in media and in my own construction of what it meant to be AAPI. I'm still working through and finding ways to exist outside of boxes and be true to my lived experience while honoring my heritage. So if you're on that journey too, you're not alone. ❤️ #aapi #aapiwomenlead #asianamericanpacificislanderheritagemonth
- ^ In The Know (2020-01-31), "Meet the youngest staffer working on a presidential hopeful's campaign.", In The Know, retrieved 2021-03-08
- ^ a b c d Somashekhar, Sandhya (2017-06-08). "This teen is the new face of Planned Parenthood. 'I wanted all the chances everyone else had.'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ a b "Why Did You Deny Me of the American Dream?", retrieved 2021-03-08
- ^ a b c Marks, Andrea (2021-02-24). "The Power of Deja Foxx". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ a b c Dazed (2019-07-03). "Deja Foxx is the teenager fighting for reproductive rights". Dazed. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ "Deja Foxx". TEDxFoggyBottom. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ YPC (2019-10-03). "Deja Foxx: From homelessness in high school to the forefront of the reproductive justice movement". YPC. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ a b Papisova, Vera (5 November 2018). "Your Future President Deja Foxx Used to Be Homeless — Now She's at Columbia University". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ Gontcharova, Natalie. "At 16, She Schooled A Republican Senator On Planned Parenthood. That Was Just The Beginning". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ "'Queer Eye's' Karamo Brown Honors Abortion Rights Activist Deja Foxx". www.out.com. 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Cecile Richards and Deja Foxx, Nationally Renowned Leaders for Reproductive Freedom, Discuss Post-2020 Future at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Benefit Event". www.plannedparenthood.org. Retrieved 2021-03-08.