lifestyles lifestyles Bun in the Oven bakes for reproductive rights

By Ella Kharrazi

Every other Sunday at the Bon Air shopping center, sophomore Skylar Bramlette and her fellow Bun in the Oven club members work to uplift the moods of shoppers by selling baked goods in support of reproductive rights. Their carts are filled to the brim with trays of homemade pastries, and colorful posters attract customers. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, Bramlette was eager to take action to uphold women’s rights. It was not until the spring semester of 2023 that she founded the club, which holds a name that embodies both the baking and reproductive rights aspects of the club.

Bramlette appreciates how the club combines these two topics, as it allows her to blend her love for baking with an important objective.

“I realized things were changing in a negative way [after Roe v. Wade was overturned], and I wanted to make a difference,” Bramlette said. “Baking has been one of my hobbies since I can remember, so I figured if I could start selling the things I baked, I could raise awareness and money for this cause.”

Club member and sophomore Natalie Lawlor expressed similar sentiments regarding the union of two subjects she is passionate about. Lawlor joined the club at the onset of its creation, seeking a way to aid those without reproductive rights.

“I think [Bun in the Oven] is great because I love baking, and we can bake for reproductive rights and help people get access to birth control internationally,” Lawlor said. “It’s important that you have the right to do what you want with your body and to prepare yourself if you want birth control.”

The club’s bake sales have already proven to be a success, as the first sale on Feb. 12 raised $239. All of the profits go to Planned Parenthood, a sexual and reproductive services provider, as well as Saving Mothers, a global nonprofit organization “dedicated to eradicating preventable maternal deaths and birth related complications among marginalized women.”

Bramlette meets several supporters of their mission at every bake sale, some of whom donate without purchasing any baked goods.

“A lot of people, especially adults, come up and [say], ‘We love your cause. We think this is important, and it affects our children and our grandchildren, so here’s a donation.’ They usually give either $10 or $20, and they don’t buy anything. That is really inspiring because it [represents that] what we are fighting for is more important than what we are selling. It is very nonmaterialistic, and it makes us proud,” Bramlette said.

A few memorable interactions stood out to Bramlette at their first bake sale, as people described the motives behind their donations.

“We had this one [adult] whose mother actually worked at Planned Parenthood for 12 years [come] up and give us $2 for every year his mother worked at Planned Parenthood. ... It was sweet, and it [showed that] everybody cares, even though it probably won’t affect them as directly as it affects future generations,” Bramlette said.

In addition to the bake sales, Bun in the Oven has hosted an event on National the kits are mailed back to Saving Mothers for shipment out to these locations.

For more information regarding these events, Bun in the Oven holds meetings every Friday during lunch in room 706. Bramlette encourages anyone, regardless of prior knowledge or baking talent, to join them at the meetings and bake sales.

Bramlette claims the club to be a “win-win,” as making and eating baked everyone, no matter your gender or your identity. ... It’s going to start affecting us very soon, and I want to protect as many people’s rights as possible and encourage people to do the same because we’re all human and should be treated that way.” ekharrazi@redwoodbark.org