PRoviding Choices Career Fair
Ongoing Event Dates | November 4, 2021 – December 4, 2021
Thirteen industry-leading agencies are proud to welcome you to PRoviding Choices, a virtual job fair for PR pros looking to relocate from Texas, as a result of that state’s abortion ban, the country’s most restrictive, or are located elsewhere but want to work for employers who support a human’s reproductive rights.
The job fair starts at 7 a.m. CDT on Nov. 4 and will run for 30 days. Each agency will showcase the many roles available in PR and communications.. While the job fair is free to attend and open to all, it is specifically geared to help those looking to relocate from Texas and other states that seek to subject individuals to dangerous restrictions or impose reckless vigilante justice.
PRoviding Choices is a safe space for job seekers of all types, with job openings ranging from entry-level and above. Attendees are encouraged to visit each booth, and gather professional insights along with potential job opportunities.
“A 100% LGBTQ-owned business, Bateman Agency LLC is a full-service strategic communications agency for technology companies based in San Francisco and Boston with additional staff located nationwide. The agency prioritizes diversity and transparency above all else to ensure equality, confidence and loyalty among staff. Bateman clients benefit from the quality of ideas, constant innovation and compelling stories proven to come faster and in greater quantities from more diverse teams. We are involved in this job fair because we are allies in the ongoing fight to protect women's access to reproductive services and the right to choose.” – Fred Bateman, Founder and CEO of Bateman Agency LLC
“BLASTmedia is a PR agency dedicated to B2B SaaS that believes an inclusive set of thoughts and perspectives create better business outcomes and a more enjoyable work environment. We're participating in this career fair because we support all our employees and ultimately want to be an ally in protecting women's access to the right to decide what is best for themselves and their bodies.” – Mendy Werne, CEO of BLASTmedia
"BOCA Communications is a woman-founded PR agency with an extreme passion for women's rights, let alone the rights of human beings inside the United States and globally. We are living in an era of diversity, equity and inclusion, yet more than 50 years after the women's liberation movement, government officials are still using fear tactics around womens' reproductive rights, shameful and not shocking. BOCA is participating in the 'Providing Choices' job fair to support women in Texas and let them know, we still have freedom and choice. BOCA is here for you. We Got This!” – Kathleen Shanahan, Founder of BOCA Communications
“From the moment we announced our relocation plan on Sept. 9, our hope was that other PR agencies would join us in this effort. We were thrilled when Julie Karbo of Karbo Communications, learning of our offer, reached out to us and suggested a virtual career fair. As other Silicon Valley-based agencies heard about what we were doing, they asked to join this effort. When you have a groundswell of activity, a movement is born. The Texas brain drain is happening.” – Curtis Sparrer, Principal and Co-Founder, Bospar
“EvolveMKD is a female founded public relations and digital marketing agency in New York. Our services encompass PR, communications, digital media, and social media. We prioritize the health and wellness of all our employees and partner with healthcare professionals in our work. We strongly believe in equal access to medical services for all and the right to choose. We are involved because we want to help provide choices for those whose freedom and rights have been compromised.” – Megan Driscoll, CEO + Founder
“Texas has shown a tragic disregard for the health, safety and constitutional rights of women. Fortunately, communications is a very popular and portable career and we are determined to offer new options and a safe haven for those professionals who want to leave the state,” said Carol Carrubba, principal of Highwire PR. “As a women-owned business with an unwavering focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, we welcome all people and commit to supporting our team members with empathy and encouragement through the many phases and choices of their lives.” – Carol Carrubba, Principal of Highwire PR
“There comes a time when you have to draw a line in the sand,” said Julie Karbo, founder and CEO of Karbo Com. “The attacks on women's freedoms—not only in Texas, but in many other states – calls for companies to take a stand. We can’t be lulled into thinking that this is a trend that affects only women. This attack on freedom of choice reverberates in every corner of the country and affects us all. It is especially cruel to the marginalized. We’re opening our doors to people who want a supportive, innovative, and fast-paced place to work. If you have a passion for tech and for doing what’s right, you’ll find a home and kindred spirits at Karbo Com.”– Julie Karbo, Founder & CEO, Karbo Communications
“Manhattan Strategies is an independent consulting firm obsessed with telling compelling visual stories for the world’s leading and emerging brands and voices. We solve problems by combining design, strategic communication and competitive intelligence to command attention – elevating strength to those who advocate for change. We care because society is orienting its trust to a new generation of change-makers, guided by moral principles and energized by movement, and we know that our society cannot thrive without the full realization of the rights of half of the population.” – Stephanie Stark, Managing Partner, Manhattan Strategies
“Just as we strive to protect humans’ wellbeing by contributing to climate solutions, Redwood’s values demand that we protect the rights and freedoms of our employees, current and future. The Texas abortion law not only destroys the right of individuals to determine what’s best for their bodies, their families, and their futures, but also pits citizens against one another; that is antithetical to our vales. We’re proud to help open some small new choices to comms professionals in Texas while their state government is taking big ones away.” – Josh Garrett, Co-founder and CEO at Redwood Climate Communications.
"Strange Brew is committed to ensuring its employees, regardless of gender, race, and sexual orientation or identity - enjoy freedom and the protection of their rights. We're excited to offer possibilities to PR professionals who feel that their rights are being violated by Texas law." – Dave Donohue, co-founder at Strange Brew Strategies
“As one of the Bay Area’s largest women-owned businesses in the Bay Area, Trier and Company believes that when everyone is included, everyone wins. Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. And, when everyone has the right to choose, whatever that choice is - we then represent a democratic society. “ – Beth Trier, CEO, Trier and Company
Overview: Senate Bill B8, referred to as The Heartbeat Bill, bans abortions as soon as cardiac activity is detectable, roughly six weeks into pregnancy. However, the law cannot be enforced by state officials. Instead, private citizens are functionally deputized and given the ability to sue any individual who "performs an abortion or' aids and abets' a procedure. Plaintiffs who have no connection to the patient or the clinic may sue and recover legal fees, as well as $10,000 if they win."
Source: The New York Times
Planned Parenthood South Texas has a long history of volunteer involvement. It is committed to providing a rewarding and satisfying experience that offers opportunities for social and intellectual enrichment and personal growth.
Texas Equal Access Fund (TEA Fund) provides funding to low-income people in the northern region of Texas seeking abortion and cannot afford it while simultaneously working to end barriers to abortion access through community education and shifting the current culture toward reproductive justice. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. All donations made to TEA Fund are tax-deductible.
Austin Women's Health Center was founded in 1976 with the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality reproductive health care in a private and personal setting. We are proud to be the first physician-owned clinic in Austin providing our patients with compassionate abortion services and gynecological care. We are among the first clinics to offer patients personalized pregnancy and abortion counseling services. Since opening our doors in 1976, we have remained committed to our high standards while evolving to fit the changing needs of our patients. Today, we continue to provide superior health care and exceptional emotional support.
Every Body Texas supports sexual and reproductive healthcare providers in Texas by administering Title X funding and delivering innovative training and technical assistance. We aim to ensure that every person in Texas has access to safe, unbiased, and high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare—regardless of identity or income.
At Planned Parenthood, our mission is to ensure all people have access to the care and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures. Founded in 1916, Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, educator, and passionate advocate here in the U.S. and a strong partner to health and rights organizations around the world. Each year, Planned Parenthood delivers vital sexual and reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions.
The Healthy Texas Women program offers comprehensive healthcare, including birth control, pregnancy tests, counseling, and health screenings and treatment for hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol. The Family Planning Program will now offer more services, including limited prenatal care.
The National Network of Abortion Funds builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice.
The mission of the National Abortion Federation is to unite, represent, serve, and support abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.
We provide financial assistance and emotional support while building community spaces for people who need abortions in Texas—unapologetically, with compassion and conviction. Through organizing and movement-building, we foster a positive culture around abortion, strengthen people's power, and fight for reproductive justice in and with our communities.