February 2008 |
 From the desk of Kelli Conlin, President
Last month, we celebrated the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized a woman’s right to make her own personal decisions about if and when she has a child. Women have lived under the protection of this legal ruling for 35 years, but this does not mean that we’re safe. Anti-choice politicians and organizations are fervently attempting to chip away at choice, whether it’s by directly targeting a woman’s right to choose, restricting birth control access, or creating barriers to comprehensive sex education. Let’s not forget that our current Supreme Court upheld a federal abortion ban with no exception for the woman’s health just last April. How we long for the court that ruled in Roe’s favor in 1973. Check out our love letter to the court, a light moment in this serious fight. This historic date is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of making sure our rights remain intact. This is why NARAL Pro-Choice New York is working diligently to pass the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act, a bill that will modernize our current abortion law, which is so outdated that it is part of our homicide statute. New York needs to be protected from further restrictions, and a Roe of Our Own will achieve that. Here’s to Roe v. Wade’s 35th anniversary, and a new year of pro-choice victories.
For Choice,
Kelli Conlin |
An Ode for Roe v. Wade’s Anniversary
As January 22 marked the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision recognizing women’s legal right to reproductive choice, we wanted to write a little love letter in commemoration, for giving women the right to make personal decisions between herself and her doctor. And considering that it’s Valentine’s Day, what better than with a little romance? So this letter is for a special love that will always stay in our hearts: the Supreme Court, 1973.
Dear 1973 Supreme Court,
Once, a long time ago, you decided to recognize a woman’s right to choose. That day, that beautiful day on January 22, 1973, we fell under your enchanting spell and have not since turned back.
Not only did you woo us with your pro-choice charms, but you captured our hearts with one critical decision that changed our lives: Roe v. Wade. Out of respect comes love. And you respected us by deciding in favor of Roe v. Wade; but we love you not only for respecting our choices, but giving us the right to exercise that choice.
Yet years have gone by since our last encounter…and the new Supreme Court just doesn’t compare to you. Things are just not the same. Just last April, our new Supreme Court passed an abortion ban that may open the doors for more restrictions, and we’re terrified of what’s to come.
We’re holding on, but it’s not easy. We know you’re not coming back, but will long for one day in the future when our rights will be protected once again with a new, strong, pro-choice Supreme Court.
We love you, Supreme Court 1973, now and forever.
Kisses,
NARAL Pro-Choice New York
BUYBC Lives! (And Loves)
That’s right. The Back Up Your Birth Control Campaign is back for 2008, and ready for some serious advocacy for emergency contraception (EC).
This year’s focus is going to be around the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005, which eliminated discounts for birth control (BC) in campus health centers and safety-net family-planning clinics. This means that birth control is now sky high for students and many low-income women, and now they may have to back up their BC with EC more than ever before.
Then again, EC is also $40-60 a pop. So what options does that leave? Not only do we need to raise heck about the DRA’s unfair legislation, but to make sure that all women can access EC, on time and affordably.
So for Valentine’s Day, love is in the air for EC activism. Let’s show some love for the following EC leaders:
- Clinics across the country that offer free EC days so women can back up their birth control for free
- Websites that help women compare EC prices at local pharmacies like http://www.morningafterpillaustin.com/.
- The NYC Department of Health’s Emergency Contraception Access, Outreach & Education campaign that provides free EC and EC education across NYC
- And the eight amazing states, including our very own New York, that provide coverage for women in their Medicaid programs to receive EC for free over-the counter
Wanna spread the love yourself? If you’re a pro-choice college student and want to get some advocacy-on (and win a cool prize while you’re at it!), the campaign has also just kicked off the Second Annual EC Campus Challenge, so make sure to check it out and enter the EContest.
And whether you’re in college or not, you can order fabulous (and free) Rosie materials for your EC activist needs.
Choose Wisely: This Common Secret
By Mary Alice Carr, A Few Choice Words editor and NARAL Pro-Choice New York's vice president for communications
Dr. Susan Wicklund’s book This Common Secret - My Journey as an Abortion Doctor is keeping me up at night. Her journey - from medical student to abortion provider in several Midwest clinics to owning her abortion clinic - is raw, unshielded, and, frankly, terrifying. Stories of her family under siege on their rural farm where protestors outnumbered police 25 to 2 sent a chill down my spine. Accounts of sneaking out of her home, on to planes and into clinics in disguise angered me. Dr. Wicklund is forced to act like a criminal - one acquaintance who sees her acting weird on a plane accuses her of running drugs - for providing a legal service that her patients desperately need.
And then there are the honest and unvarnished stories of her patients - women of all ages, walks of life, religions, and even all sides of the abortion argument. She recounts a story of seeing a patient who is a regular protestor at the clinic, a not uncommon experience for abortion providers.
The stories are keeping me up because they are reminding me that we need good doctors like Dr. Wicklund to continue making abortion car their life’s work. We have to defeat legislation that will make it illegal for doctors to serve women who desperately seek their services.
Activists will benefit from reading this book because it reminds us what is at stake and what lengths women and doctors already go through. It reminds us that good doctors are heroes to women and that we need them.
So it turns out what is really keeping me up at night is this - a re-invigorated fire to keep fighting. And we could all use that this year.
Buy the book here.
All in the Family
We’re very, very excited to announce we have made not one, but TWO amazing additions to the NARAL Pro-Choice New York family. And here they are…(drum roll)
Katherine Grainger is our new Vice President of Public Policy and Political Initiatives at NARAL Pro-Choice New York. She was formerly the State Program Director of the Center for Reproductive Rights, where she finished their 2007 “What if Roe Fell” guide. Katherine also is an Aquarius and enjoys taking yoga classes in her spare time.
Carolyn Fraker is our NARAL Pro-Choice New York’s new Community Organizer. She was in Emily’s List’s Campaign Corps, after which she campaigned for Ellen Karcher for New Jersey State Senate in the 12th District. Unfortunately, Karcher lost the race - but at least we won Carolyn! Carolyn likes to take long walks on the beach in the summer, and to go skiing with friends during the cold winter days.
Both staff members are a huge asset to this organization, and for that, we are grateful to have snagged them. Here’s a huge, warm welcome to Katherine and Carolyn!
| A Few Choice Words Staff |
Vanessa Valenti, Writer
Mary Alice Carr, Editor |
