The Reality of Abortion Access in Texas with Anna Rupani

Jun 30

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Anna Rupani, the first Executive Director of Fund Texas Choice, the oldest statewide practical support abortion organization in Texas.

Anna shares how her background in social justice, immigration law, family law, and trauma advocacy shaped her commitment to helping Texans access reproductive healthcare. Together, they discuss the practical realities of abortion access, the challenges many people face when navigating healthcare systems, and the importance of leading with empathy.

In this episode, we cover:

What practical support means in abortion access
The hidden costs of seeking reproductive healthcare
Rural healthcare deserts and travel barriers
Caregiving responsibilities, immigration concerns, and workplace challenges
Leadership lessons from navigating major policy changes
Rest as resistance and sustainable advocacy
The emotional realities of social justice work
Why language matters when discussing abortion
Finding hope through everyday acts of service

About Anna Rupani

Anna Rupani serves as the first Executive Director of Fund Texas Choice, the oldest statewide practical support abortion organization in Texas. She is a born and raised Texan, a first-generation Pakistani American, and a proud Muslim.

She has spent almost her entire career in social justice work. Her family’s experience with the immigration system put Anna on the track to practice immigration and family law, where she focused on supporting undocumented immigrant survivors of trauma, domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault.

Right before her arrival to Fund Texas Choice, Anna also worked with minors dealing with the immigration system at the height of child separation. She received her Juris Doctor from New England School of Law, her Master's in Social Work from Florida State University, and her Bachelor's of Science in Business Management from Boston College.

Anna has been awarded the Outstanding Co-Chair Award for her work with Lawyers Against Domestic Violence Committee of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Rising Raggio Award by the Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association for her work as a young female lawyer, and the Judge Reginald C. Lindsay Public Service Law Book Award by the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association.

When not working as a pro-abortion advocate, in her free time, Anna enjoys hanging out and traveling with her partner and their dog, Bella. She loves to hang out with her niblings, read, hike, watch movies, and play video games

Other mentions in this episode: