One Wish: Liz Bennett ’10

Liz Bennett ’10 is an Iowa state senator. 

One of my key wishes for 2025 revolves around the vision for global reproductive justice. This encompasses a world where everyone has the autonomy to make informed choices about their reproductive health and family planning, free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. This vision recognizes the right of all individuals, regardless of gender, race, socio-economic condition, or geographical location, to access comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including contraception, safe abortion, prenatal and postnatal care, and fertility treatments. The goal is to ensure that reproductive rights are not only protected by law but are also practically accessible and supported by robust healthcare systems and social policies.

Animus toward LGBTQIA+ people has increased in the U.S. and in many places around the world, as transgender rights have been used as a political wedge issue. In 2025 I hope to see progress in every nation toward understanding, appreciating, and valuing the variety of ways in which human beings experience love and gender. I hope for every LGBTQIA+ person to be able to live safely and openly. 

In the words of John Lennon: “You may say that I’m a dreamer …”

Read all 11 Wishes for 2025 from Cornell visionaries.