FPA in the News: 2007

Legislative Gazette
Pro-choice groups cheer 34 years of abortion rights
By: Ariana Cohn
1.29.07

Advocates of women’s reproductive rights were wearing pink T-shirts and holding signs with “Roe v. Wade” and “Saving Women’s Lives” written on them as they gathered last Monday outside the Assembly Chamber to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in 46 states.

The women were also in Albany to support Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan, who successfully submitted a resolution to commemorate the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The advocates, from Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and Family Planning Advocates of New York, came to the Capitol to do more than celebrate an existing federal law, but to thank New York State for legalizing abortion before the Supreme Court ruling and to inform legislators that the work is not over.

“Women need to remain safe,” said JoAnn Smith, Family Planning Advocates president. “The anniversary of Roe v. Wade is a powerful reminder that the struggle for women’s health and safety continues.”

The Roe v. Wade case centered around a pregnant single woman who challenged the constitutionality of Texas’ laws that made it illegal to have an abortion unless the mother was at fatal risk. The state’s abortion statutes were ruled void, as they violated the plaintiff’s rights under the Ninth and 14th amendments.

Two months after the law legalizing abortion in New York State was signed by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller in 1970, approximately 16,000 women were able to obtain safe and legal abortions in New York, according to Family Planning Advocates.

While abortion has been legal nationwide for the past 34 years, advocates are saying a woman’s right to choose is once again being threatened with the appointment of Eric Keroack as President George W. Bush’s chief of the family-planning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services. “President Bush has just appointed a man into his administration who has dedicated his life to saying contraceptives are evil,” said Smith. “We are counting on New York State to say that this shouldn’t be happening in Washington.”

Also, Blue Carreker, vice president for public affairs and marketing at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, explained that the U.S. Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of legislation that would cut off access to certain contraceptives and limit abortion rights. “This is a serious issue,” she said. “For women, the right to choose means the right to fully participate in all aspects of life,” including an “uninterrupted” education and pre-planned career.

Both Carreker and Smith are, however, pleased with efforts made by New York State’s leaders with regard to women’s rights.

“We are thrilled that we have a governor who understands,” said Carreker.

Smith also talked about the backing women’s right have historically received from the state’s top executives. “We’ve always had the support of the governor of New York State. We wish every state could have New York State’s Legislature and governor so that women’s rights could be protected everywhere,” she said.