Lake Highlands High School Valedictorian Paxton Smith has signed a book deal. “A War on My Body; A War on My Rights” will feature contributions from numerous reproductive rights activists and public personalities, including former Texas Senator Wendy Davis, women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred, reproductive and immigration activist Sadie Hernandez, New York Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney and victims’ rights lawyer Judie Saunders.
The book will be released on January 22, 2022 – 49 years after the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case granted women the right to abortion in the United States.
“I want to break the stigma around women’s reproductive rights,” said Smith, who is writing several chapters, along with the opening and closing.
Smith took on the project after her May 30 valedictory address at Wildcat Stadium went viral. She was interviewed by CNN, the Washington Post, People, Teen Vogue, BuzzFeed, Nightline and NBC’s Today Show, among many others. Her story was covered by NPR, Guardian, Daily Beast, ABC’s The View, the New York Times, among other outlets around the world.
In addition to chronicling the history of reproductive rights in America, “A War on My Body; A War on My Rights” will deal with gender equality and woman’s rights. The book will pay tribute to leaders and advocates who faced opposition and backlash in their quest.
All profits from sales of Smith’s book will be donated to The Afiya Center. The Afiya Center serves Black women and girls in North Texas by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health.
The book may be pre-ordered online here.