As the nation approaches the 53rd anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, ongoing debates about reproductive rights have taken center stage, particularly in states where access is increasingly restricted. Amid this backdrop, renowned TV personality and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen visited a standout clinic in Tennessee dedicated to providing comprehensive reproductive healthcare, underscoring the vital work being done by advocates and healthcare providers in challenging circumstances.
Teigen, known for her openness about her personal experiences with health and motherhood, has taken significant steps to humanize the conversation around reproductive care. Her advocacy includes sharing her own story of requiring a lifesaving late-term abortion and visiting various clinics that uphold reproductive rights. In 2024, she engaged with Vice President Kamala Harris at the Feminist Center for Reproductive Liberation, where she recounted a poignant moment involving a mural of butterflies that symbolizes hope and new beginnings in reproductive care.
In 2025, Teigen’s journey led her to the CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, a clinic that offers a full spectrum of reproductive services including childbirth support, prenatal classes, and abortion care in response to the state’s 2022 ban on the procedure. CHOICES stands out as the only nonprofit in the nation that provides both reproductive and abortion care, reinforcing the crucial idea that comprehensive maternal care must be part of the conversation surrounding abortion access. Jennifer Pepper, the center’s CEO, emphasized the importance of fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for all expecting parents, noting that “all pregnancies are different.”
During her visit, Teigen highlighted the welcoming atmosphere of the clinic, contrasting it with the often sterile and impersonal experiences many individuals face in traditional hospital settings. Teigen reflected on the importance of empathetic care, stating, “This is what care looks like—people listening to you, and treating your body and your choices with dignity.” Her sentiments resonate particularly strongly in a state like Tennessee, which faces the highest maternal mortality rate in the country—issues that disproportionately affect Black women.
One expectant mother, Jasmine, shared her transformative experience in a prenatal class at CHOICES, where discussions about maternal health encompass fears and hopes alike. From conversations beginning with anxieties about mortality to joyous births, the clinic embodies a commitment to ensuring every woman receives dignified and compassionate care.
Teigen’s ongoing advocacy, along with the work being done at facilities like CHOICES, signals a hopeful movement towards preserving and expanding reproductive rights, even in the face of significant challenges. As individuals and organizations continue to champion the cause of reproductive freedom, the message remains clear: every person deserves access to quality, respectful healthcare that recognizes their autonomy and humanity.