Blog of Rights
Sondra
Goldschein
11/07/2012
2012 State Ballot Measures Results

Ballot High Across the Country

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 10:34pm

I am on a ballot initiative-induced high and it’s not just because marijuana legalization measures passed in Colorado and Washington. I’m giddy because last night, in ballot initiative contests across the country, we heard directly from voters about our civil liberties. They spoke loud and clear. They want them protected, defended and expanded. 

All across the country, we celebrated. On so many different issues, we were victorious.

Read More»
11/08/2006

South Dakota Abortion Ban Defeated!!

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 10:33am
Dispatches from the FieldWe never lost our lead. It became clear early on that South Dakotans were going to decisively reject the state's abortion ban at the polls. The final breakdown is 56-44. Voters sent a clear message to the legislature that they had gone too far.

Read More»
10/26/2012
Election 2012: Let Me Vote

Vote Your Values on Election Day -- State Legislative Style

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 4:13pm

You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that there is a presidential election going on. And you’ve probably seen countless TV ads from members of Congress asking for your votes. But did you know that in 46 states, state legislators are on the ballot, too? And in 23 states, the entire legislature – every single seat in the state legislature – is up for election.

Read More»
04/18/2007

Refusals at the Pharmacy

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 8:52am
We've all read the infuriating stories in the press from around the country about how some pharmacies are refusing to fill women's prescriptions for contraception based on the pharmacy's or an individual pharmacist's religious objection. Denying women access to birth control , medication that only women use , is sex discrimination, and pharmacies have the responsibility to ensure th
Read More»
04/22/2009

Science Returns to FDA Decision-Making!

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 2:38pm

The Associated Press is reporting that Plan B (emergency contraception) will soon be available without a prescription for teens 17 and under. We expect the FDA to shortly announce its compliance with the court decision we reported on last month that slammed the FDA for its politically driven decision to impose an age restriction. We hope that this is the first step in making Plan B accessible and affordable for all women who need it.

Read More»
03/24/2009

Do the Right Thing: Make Emergency Contraception Accessible and Affordable

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 2:46pm

(Originally posted on The Hill's Congress Blog.)

A federal court yesterday called on the FDA to do the right thing and revisit its politically motivated decision to unnecessarily restrict access to the emergency contraceptive Plan B. Often referred to as the “morning-after pill,” Plan B is a concentrated dose of the birth control pills millions of women take every day. And as yesterday’s court duly noted, the science is clear: women of all ages do not need a prescription to safely and effectively use Plan B to prevent pregnancy.

Read More»
10/07/2008

South Dakota Abortion Ban, Here We Go Again

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 12:06pm

(Originally posted on Daily Kos.)

It's like nothing has changed since 2006. South Dakota has another abortion ban on its ballot. And I returned this past weekend to Sioux Falls to volunteer again with the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families. There I was sitting in the car, still incredibly nervous about knocking on a stranger's door to talk about why he or she should vote against Measure 11 and let families decide personal matters for themselves.

Read More»
11/07/2006

Vote No on 6 in South Dakota!

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 12:19pm
Dispatches from the FieldToday I learned how big of an impact one person's activism can have on another. Until today, I spent my time here in Sioux Falls organizing the large number of people outraged by South Dakota's abortion ban who are volunteering with the Camp
Read More»
11/06/2006

Greetings From South Dakota!

By Sondra Goldschein, ACLU at 5:24pm
Dispatches from the FieldWe write from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where we are part of the people's campaign to reject the state legislature's abortion ban. In February 2006, the legislature turned its back on the women and families of South Dakota and passed a ban on virtuall
Read More»
Statistics image