Monday, March 29, 2010

MVMC is taking care of business

I know it's been awhile,but I have been extremely business since the new year has started! It's almost April and it feels like I just returned from Christmas/New Years break.

I just want to thank the amazing women of the My Voice, MyChoice leadership group. You all are blossoming and setting goals for yourselves and your families and I think it is a privilege to watch you all grow!

I have to agree with Brittany, Nicole your education forum was the bomb!!!!! It was really cold and windy that day, but people came out to hear what you had to say and I know they were glad they did.......

We are doing it ladies and doing it well..... We have so much more ahead of us..... So keep up the great work!


Look for the MVMC ladies in your community doing outreach and education!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

What's New

Let me start by saying Nicole you rock! Last Thursday was Nicole's forum focusing on birth control. She awesome as usual. I will be doing one soon about reproductive justice and what it means for us. I told you guys we were going to be very busy and active this year. We also have an upcoming panel conference in which we will be speaking on the panel. Will keep you posted on that. So much to do and say and not nearly enough time but I am so glad that everything is on track! Til next time.....PEACE

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The "A" Word Show

So weds I had the honor of interviewing Kim Hunt from Affinity. She was a very good guests and she answered every question precisely and was even able to answer questions from the callers nicely. So the show went very well although we didn't have that many callers this show which is odd. Oh well less callers means more time to talk about the issues.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Healthcare "Reform" Reaction

I love talking to the women that call the client services line seeking money. I love being someone who can actually hook them up with services and the money they need.

It makes me so angry that abortion funding was dropped from the healthcare reform bill. I can't believe that women who have so many other services provided to them for free because they are too poor to afford them, are basically forced into motherhood because they don't have the money to cover the procedures they decided was best for them in their situation. It's so frustrating.

I wonder if this politicians have ever listened to a women break down crying on the phone, because she's basically been forced to beg for hundred of dollars from strangers. Or have a mother call them for her daughter, who didn't even realize she was pregnant until her second trimester; or a mom whose daughter just told her she was raped- and pregnant from it. Or have a clinic worker calling for a women who is homeless and without a phone, but at the clinic and with only $20 of an almost $1,000 procedure. Or, best yet, the joy in someone's voice when I just solved their problem and they can go on being the best student/mother/daughter/worker that they can.

I wonder if they listened to any women at all when they passed it?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

These People just wont stop!!!

So I'm reading some news articles on things going on with abortion and those same people who claim that black babies are an endangered species think that black women are being coerced into having abortions because of their race. Now I'm not saying its not possible, but realistically a person can't make you do anything you don't want to do.To me this is just another way of them interfering in our races reproductive choice.So they decided to come up with a bill that penalizes doctors for performing abortions on women who they know have been coerced in to making the decision to terminate a pregnancy. How crazy is that though, I mean if the women is grown and she signs the form that says no one has manipulated her decision how would the doctor know if she was coerced or not. This would make doctors more sceptical of performing abortions on women that are not of their race which would lead to denial of abortions because of race which would put the doctor and patient in an awkward position. These people need to stop!!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Thank You Abortion Providers!

Today and everyday we celebrate and thank you for all you do in the line of fire! You Make Choice Possible and it couldn't be done without you!

My heart is heavy for the family of our friend Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was murdered in his place of worship last May. And although the responsible party, Scott Roeder was convicted, it doesn't make the pain go away.

Women have the right to make decisions for themselves! They have the right to determine when and if they will parent. They have the absolute right to govern the body they live in. Dr. Tiller understood this as do all the other providers!

Trust Women.....because if you can't, how can you trust them with children?

Today is National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers

And they have a lot to be appreciated for!

I'd like to thank everyone who helps women obtain the abortions they want and need- from my fellow co-workers at CAF and the volunteers/leadership group members who dedicate their time to help make choice possible to the other funds & logistics organizations that help women pay for their procedures, help drive/fly them to clinics, or watch their children while they are at the doctor's.

A big, big thank you to the clinic staff, who walk through picket lines and are targeted for harassment (or worse) in their service to women & their families. A special thanks to the ones who take the time & energy to really counsel the women in their care to make sure that, not only is an abortion the best option, but whom go out of their way to help in any other way they can- referring to other agencies and organizations, even if the patient decides to continue the pregnancy. I always appreciate when the clinics we work with take the time to not only make the space a healthy, safe environment but also a warm, inviting and caring place.

And of course, where would we be without our doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and all others who directly perform and/or assist women with their abortions? Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for what you do. Under constant attack- verbally, emotionally & all-too-often physically-, you continue to press on with your much needed skills. I am ever so grateful that you continue to help women.

My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family & staff today, and hope that they are comforted by the good he did.

Monday, March 8, 2010

LobbyDay2010 Part 2

So on the 2nd I went to Springfield to lobby so the reproductive health and access bill could be passed.I lobbied for this bill last year and as I said before it was an enjoyable experience but not all people were as my daughter would say thinking what I was thinking. So we tried again this year and it was very enjoyable to see someone that gave us an hard time last year be a co sponsor for the bill this year. So that made me feel really good. Yayyy!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Lobby Day 2010

Tomorrow will be a long but interesting day. We are going to Springfield to talk to some legislators and get some things handled. Voice our opinions and sway the majority. Last year I did this and it was a wonderful experience as will be this year.Looking forward to tomorrow. Yayyy!!!!!