A New Year's Resolution for 2006: Help Save Reproductive Freedom

FEATURES
33rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Federal Legislative Update

ACLU Announces Opposition to Alito Nomination

Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood

Timeline of Important Reproductive Rights CasesNEWS
High Court Ruling Respects Protections to Women's Health (1/18/2006)

Supreme Court Urged to Protect Women's Health (11/30/2005)

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Senators to Oppose AlitoSometimes discussions about reproductive rights seem abstract. But when you think about it, basic decisions we make every day in our lives depend on being able to decide whether and when to start a family. Now imagine a world without reproductive freedom.

• How different would a pregnancy scare feel if your only option was to carry a pregnancy to term?
• Would you be working in your current job? How many kids would you have? Where would you live? How would you take care of your family?
• What if you didn't know how to protect yourself from STDs, including HIV/AIDS?
• How would your life be different if your state banned birth control?
• Where would you turn if the condom you were using broke and emergency contraception wasn't available?
• What would you do if you were prevented from having kids?

As we begin a new year and celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade - the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision legalizing abortion - we face a Court poised to shift drastically in its view of reproductive rights. In addition, lawmakers throughout the country are ready to pass restrictions on abortion, contraception, and sexuality education. In the face of these threats we must take action. Save reproductive freedom today by choosing one (or all five) of the actions below!

• Let your Senators know that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. is the wrong Justice to protect civil liberties and reproductive rights by sending this action alert.
• Tell your friends and family your own story about how having (or not having) access to sex education, birth control, and abortion has shaped your life.
• Find out whether your local pharmacy carries and provides emergency contraception (EC). If the pharmacy doesn't, encourage it to. Go to www.raisinghervoice.org to learn more about EC.
• Host a video night for your friends featuring a film that deals with reproductive rights such as The Cider House Rules, Kids, Vera Drake, If These Walls Could Talk, and Sex and the City: Episodes 36 and 59.
• Get involved in your community. Visit TakeIssueTakeCharge.org to find out what you can do to make a difference.

But don't stop there. Ask your friends to do the same by sending an e-mail.