Leila Barnes

Avodah Member

Leila recently finished her Master of Sciences in Health History in Glasgow, Scotland, where she focused on the comparative history of sexual and reproductive health. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Vassar College, where she studied History and Queer Studies. Leila’s undergraduate thesis analyzed how mid-20th century sex education films represented part of a larger internal and global Americanization project, focusing on the films’ portrayals of immigrants. Before joining PACT, she interned at SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change and trained as a postnatal companion for birthing people facing barriers like poverty and isolation at Amma Birth Companions. Leila is deeply committed to empowering youth through culturally-responsive, trauma-informed education and looks forward to continuing this work at PACT. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, dancing, and swimming as much as possible.