Jaclyn Friedman

Cognoscenti contributor

Jaclyn Friedman is an activist, educator and author of four books, including her latest, "Believe Me: How Trusting Women Can Change the World." She is the founder and executive director of EducateUS: SIECUS In Action, where she is building a national movement of voters for sex education.

Recently published

Abortion rights demonstrators gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Friday. (Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

If only the Supreme Court justices had better sex ed

If we had universal sex education, we probably wouldn’t be in this place, writes Jaclyn Friedman. Our leaders would at least understand basic human biology, and that women are co-equal...

Cognoscenti

Jun 24, 2022

A participant holding a sign at a candle light vigil and memorial for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Washington Square Park in New York City on September 19, 2020. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

RBG Didn't Do It For Notoriety. She Wanted People Like Me To Be Free

What Ginsburg embodied every day of her life was a steadfast and electrifying refusal to accept the unacceptable, writes Jaclyn Friedman.

Cognoscenti

03:17Sep 21, 2020

Why My Judaism Compelled Me To Protest The Abuse Of Immigrants

The only spirit of July Fourth worth celebrating is about resistance and revolution, writes Jaclyn Friedman.

Cognoscenti

Jul 4, 2019

UMass Boston student Chanel An enters one of the toilet and shower rooms in the open concept, all-inclusive bathroom at a new dorm building. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

You Don't Have To Choose Between Protecting Women And Protecting Transgender People

I’m offended by the disingenuous claims that upholding this law will put women’s safety at risk, writes Jaclyn Friedman. It just isn’t true.

Cognoscenti

Nov 1, 2018

This Is Why Good Sex Education Is So Important

The allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh have ignited a national debate about sexual assault. Jaclyn Friedman argues that to create a culture with less sexual violence, we need to provide...

Cognoscenti

03:02Sep 24, 2018

Do You Know What Your Kids Are Learning In Sex Ed?

The legislature’s failure to pass the Healthy Youth Act means there are still no rules when it comes to sex ed in Massachusetts, writes Jaclyn Friedman.

Cognoscenti

Aug 3, 2018

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy administers the judicial oath to Justice Neil Gorsuch during a re-enactment in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 10, 2017. Holding the bible is Gorsuch's wife Marie Louise Gorsuch. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Kennedy Is Retiring. Welcome To 'Gilead'

It’s hard to overstate the catastrophic changes to our national fabric that may be coming, writes Jaclyn Friedman, but now's the time to pour real energy into ensuring that our...

Cognoscenti

Jun 28, 2018