Roe v. Wade: The 39th Anniversary

The National Council of Jewish Women's Los Angeles Section (NCJW/LA) presents its annual Roe v. Wade program. A panel of experts will discuss the fight for Choice and reproductive freedom, still a national debate 39 years after abortion was legalized. The public is invited to attend at no charge.

Scheduled panelists include:

•  Amy Everitt, State Director of NARAL

•  Gabriela Valle, Senior Director of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice

•  Serena Josel, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles

•  Joyce Schorr, Founder and President of WRRAP

•  Kaya Masler, USC student and political organizer

The guest speakers will address how women's constitutional right to access a safe and legal abortion continues to be at risk nearly four decades after the Supreme Court made its landmark decision, and suggest ways for concerned citizens to stand up and speak out for reproductive rights. Issues to be covered include education in the schools, treatment of women in the military regarding abortion, clauses in insurance policies for entities that receive federal funds, proposed changes to health insurance affecting abortion, and parental notification initiatives coming down the pipeline in California. 

The event is co-sponsored by NCJW/LA, National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRAPP), Hollywood NOW, Miracle Mile NOW, Planned Parenthood, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, The City of West Hollywood, and the Women's Advisory Board of the City of West Hollywood.

According to Ruth Williams, Director of Advocacy for NCJW/LA, it is more critical than ever to continue the fight for reproductive freedoms that slowly are being eaten away. "Those determined to ban abortion completely continue to use every legislative opportunity to restrict access to it at the state and federal level without consideration to women and children who have been brutally raped or victims of incest," she said. "Women have the right to make reproductive choices based on their own moral and religious beliefs, and NCJW will continue to do everything in our power to maintain this constitutional right."

Williams notes that the need to educate the younger generation as to what's at risk is a key reason for offering an annual community program on Roe v. Wade. "I don't think they realize the right to Choice is not a given but rather a hard-fought victory to ensure that if they ever find themselves in a position of unwanted pregnancy, they can choose," she said.

The Roe v. Wade program is part of NCJW/LA's Voices for Reproductive Choices initiative, an emergency campaign to mobilize NCJW/LA's membership and the broader pro-Choice Jewish community to reach out to Congress and the general public through petitions, awareness campaigns, social media, and working with other organizations.  

ABOUT NCJW/LA: The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. The NCJW Los Angeles Section (NCJW/LA) represents more than 2,500 members and supporters in Los Angeles.

For more information, visit www.ncjwla.org, call 323-651-2930, fax 323-651-5348, or write NCJW/LA, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036.