Amanda Zurawski

Amanda Zurawski was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She moved to Austin in 2014 where she quickly reconnected with her childhood friend, Josh, whom she met as four-year-olds in preschool. The two soon began dating and got married in 2019. The couple knew they wanted children but had difficulty conceiving. After 18 months of fertility treatment, the Zurawskis learned they were pregnant with their first baby, a girl. Unfortunately Amanda suffered complications at 18 weeks, and the couple lost the baby. Due to the abortion bans in Texas, Amanda was unable to receive healthcare, and after three days of being told there was nothing her healthcare team could do to intervene, Amanda crashed into septic shock, which nearly killed her.

After spending a week in the hospital, the Zurawskis began speaking out publicly about their experience to help spread awareness and with hopes of preventing similar fates befalling other pregnant people, in Texas and beyond.

Amanda has spent the last year and a half advocating fiercely for reproductive rights and abortion access for all. She has testified in front of US Congress, has provided interviews for countless media outlets and platforms, and is the lead plaintiff in Zurawski vs. Texas, the first lawsuit brought by patients challenging a state on its abortion bans since the fall of Roe vs. Wade. Amanda is also campaigning for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, speaking publicly on their behalf and in support of their reelection.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys cooking, reading, running and spending time with Josh and their two dogs, Paisley and Millie. The couple remain hopeful that they will one day still expand their family.