Welcome to the 21st edition of Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States. This publication tells a story that should spur to action every American who values freedom and privacy.
Last year we predicted that our opponents would ignore the public's call for elected officials to focus on the nation's immediate challenges, including the economy. Sadly, our predictions came true. Anti-choice politicians launched a War on Women. As a result, in 2011 states enacted 69 anti-choice measures, the second-highest number since we began tracking these laws in 1995.
This challenging situation reminds me of advice a friend gave to me a few years ago when I was facing tough circumstances. "Nancy," he said, "the strongest steel is made in the hottest fires." Looking at this report, it's clear that we are putting out fires every day, but we also are seeing examples of hope and courage.
One such story comes from Mississippi, where voters overwhelmingly rejected a so-called "personhood" ballot measure. Residents of the Magnolia State saw this proposal – which would have outlawed abortion and could have banned common forms of birth control and in vitro fertilization – as an example of extreme government intrusion into our private lives.
In Wyoming, during debate on an anti-choice bill, two Republican state legislators rose to speak. One shared her personal experiences with pregnancy. She said, "I'm going to tell you a couple of things that are none of your damned business." She told her colleagues about raising three children. And she told them she once made the difficult decision to terminate an unintended pregnancy. Her colleagues rejected the bill.
In Washington D.C., we witnessed similar courage when, during a debate on an anti-choice measure, Rep. Jackie Speier of California told her heartbreaking story of terminating a wanted pregnancy that had encountered health-threatening complications. She electrified the debate and received an outpouring of support from across the country.
In addition to this leadership from elected officials, more than 4,000 Americans, mostly young women and men, came to Washington in April for a lobby day to stop the War on Women. I was proud to stand with them as they visited office after office, reminding lawmakers that attacks on choice are out of touch with our nation's values and priorities.
We also witnessed courage in our governors. Facing down hostile legislatures, Govs. Mark Dayton of Minnesota, John Lynch of New Hampshire, Beverly Perdue of North Carolina, and Brian Schweitzer of my home state of Montana stood up for women's freedom and privacy. In some cases, legislators voted to override their vetoes. But in Montana and Minnesota, the governors' courageous actions kept several anti-choice bills from becoming law. For this reason, we are dedicating this year's edition to these gubernatorial champions.
In honor of all those who stood against the legislative attacks on choice in 2011, I ask you to talk about this report with someone with whom you have never discussed the issue of legal abortion. You might walk into a few firestorms, but, just like my friend told me a few years ago, heat makes us stronger. None of this is easy, but it is important. Think of the courageous individuals who shared their stories. Think of your friends and family – and the hope you have for their futures. Remember, you have the power to reach out to one person and help change the hostile landscape that leads to the attacks on women's freedom and privacy outlined in this report.
Sincerely,
Nancy Keenan
President
NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation
