Stephanie Loraine Pineiro, MSW
2019 Winner
Position: Executive Director
Organization: Florida Access Network (formerly Central Florida Womens Emergency Fund)
Current Location: United States, North America
Masters of Social Work from University of Central Florida
Additional Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of North Florida
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from University of North Florida
Independent Research Study – Forced Sterilization in Puerto Rico
Independent Research Study – Diversity in Higher Education
“Stephanie has pushed the limits as an advocate for reproductive health and justice. A story teller and Executive Director, Stephanie ensures that directly impacted people are at the center of every conversation, and breaks stigma along the way too.
“– Anna Eskamani, State House Representative at Florida House District 47
Describe your contributions to and achievements in family planning.
Since 2015 I have been volunteering with the Central Florida Women’s Emergency assisting over 300 people per year in receiving assistance with their abortion and reproductive rights access journey. I am a leader on the issue of teen access to abortion, specifically in states where teens must seek permission from a judge when they cannot receive consent or notify their parents. I have testified in opposition of these laws in the Florida legislature 5 times, spoken to countless elected officials about the importance of reproductive rights and recently completed a statewide study on this issue being published in Fall 2019. I am an abortion storyteller and have been featured in media outlets such as the Associated Press, Teen Vogue and published in the New York Times- Español and Univision.
What sparked your passion for family planning?
As a young person I did not have the support I needed to access my reproductive health care decisions. I believe all people have a right to their bodily autonomy and self-determination and that belief ignites my passion for this work. I speak publicly about having multiple abortions with the hope of addressing abortion stigma and culture of silence and shame around reproductive decisions.
Give one or two examples of how you display leadership in your family planning work.:
I have been involved in reproductive justice advocacy for 5 years, from clinic escorting to volunteering and now leading the first Florida-wide abortion access organization – the Florida Access Network.
If you are named a winner of 120 under 40, how will you use this new platform and the $1000 grant to advance your work?
I would utilize this grant towards judicial bypass support programming with the Central Florida Women’s Emergency Fund that has recently expanded to support the whole state. The Judicial Bypass support program is an innovative practical support program created to dismantle young people’s logistical barriers in accessing a judicial bypass in the state of Florida. We plan to create an online space dedicated to provide up to date information on accessing a judicial bypass in Florida.
Photos of the nominee in the field/at work



Publications/Articles
- https://www.nytimes.com/es/people/stephanie-loraine-pineiro/
- https://rewire.news/article/2019/04/10/florida-is-making-it-even-harder-for-youn…
- https://www.ifwhenhow.org/resources/overview-young-peoples-access-to-abortion-ca…
- http://www.womensmediacenter.com/shesource/expert/stephanie-pineiro
- https://www.apnews.com/0cab6740b5404a878b14487abd0a0fac