Content Warning: This member story mentions abuse, violence, and sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault and need help, call the National Sexual Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Meet Mackenzie Weiland, a nurse practitioner who specializes in sexual and reproductive health. Mackenzie and her partner relocated to the Pacific Northwest from Atlanta, Georgia, at the end of 2021. Soon after, she got a job at Planned Parenthood and has been quick to put down roots in their new home:

“My partner and I are building a home in Everett and enjoying every bit of exploration and adventure in this awesome region of the country. We are avid sea kayakers, hikers, triathletes, dog fosters, microbrewery supporters, board game enthusiasts, and big-time foodies!”

Working in reproductive healthcare is more than just a career to Mackenzie—it’s a calling. In addition to being a nurse practitioner, she is a board-certified sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE):

“Sexual violence and advocacy work is my truest passion, and I continue to serve my community in this way. After my busy weeks in clinic at Planned Parenthood, I take call shifts as a full-scope forensic nurse in Snohomish County. In this role, I provide trauma-informed, person-centered, compassionate, and excellent forensic nursing care and services to survivors of all forms of violence including child abuse and neglect, physical assault, sexual violence and assault, domestic and interpersonal violence, and more.

Caring for my community in these ways is both a calling and a gift. The careful culmination of my skills, training, and passion are all in service to uplift others and create a braver, safer world for us all.”

Mackenzie further serves her community by teaching nursing students at Seattle University how to be SANE nurses and speaks at conferences to advocate for better care for victims.

While her work at Planned Parenthood is very rewarding to her, Mackenzie has come to understand how important it is to have a union on the job, although she didn’t always think so:

“In my naiveté, when I was first hired at Planned Parenthood, I was weary of the union aspect of the position. Having been employed for just over 1.5 years, I cannot imagine being a Planned Parenthood clinician without my union. I am lucky to work closely with Charlie King, my union representative, who has always made himself available to me and my coworkers. We communicate regularly, and his efforts to care for me and my team have made the biggest difference. […] Unfortunately, no healthcare center/system is perfect, and just knowing I have the full, unyielding support of my union behind me, and in strong solidarity with the folks I work alongside and for, I am able to continue to show up and provide excellent community care.

It is an honor to be a UFCW 3000 member with all of you rock stars. Thank you, each of you, for all you to do serve one another and our communities.”

Mackenzie is becoming more involved with her union but was unable to be on the bargaining committee for the new union contract because she had no extra time (see all of the above). That’s okay! Being in a union means that when we all step up as much as we can, we don’t have to do everything ourselves.