Words of Choice joins the dynamic New York Abortion Access Fund (NYAAF) to support women's access with a performance fundraiser on May 2 at 5 pm in Greenwich Village.
The performance follows big events for both groups, but there is no doubt that the work of both is greatly needed. NYAAF, which makes funds available to women who need abortion services, just completed a bowlathon, and Words of Choice just returned to NY from performances in DC, Virginia and Maryland, including with the DC Abortion Fund.
Responses in the Capitol Region to Words of Choice were great: "phenomenal" said one audience member, adding that as a lawyer, it was great to be reminded of the stories behind the work she does.
But we also learned about the resistance to abortion rights -- and from Amnesty International, which insisted on appearing at our event in connected Human Rights Art Festival to say that it did not support abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. (I will write more about this in the future, as well as reprint the letters that workshop members wrote to Amnesty!)
But we also know from our performances and storytelling that abortion funds have a long history.
NYAAF and other contemporary abortion funds arose to help women who have a need for an abortion but don't have the money to pay for it. NYAAF "believes that abortion services should be available to all women regardless of their ability to pay. Without funding, many women do not have a real choice."
Ironically, as one story in Words of Choice describes, abortion funds are not entirely new. In a monologue, actor Carl H. Jaynes magnificently presents a selection from the book "The 'A' Word" by Mary Ann Sorrentino. The selection, a real story, is told from the perspective of Matt, a Viet Nam vet, who describes the moment when a co-ed calls him to say that she is pregnant after their single night of sex. "I sat stunned by the news and wondered out loud what we would do. She informed me bluntly that she intended to have an abortion. Abortion was against the law, though illegal operations were available. Her sorority had an abortion fund. They loaned her $200 and she had another $100 of her own. She needed $200 more. I hocked my camera, and hi-fi." What becomes really clear later in Matt's story is that abortion not only needs funding, but needs to be safe, legal and accessible.
Read more about abortion funds on Tennessee Guerrilla Woman.
AND definitely support NYAAF by joining us Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 5 pm. The performance is dedicated to Dr. George Tiller, assassinated in May 2009.
Details:
Words of Choice Benefit for NYAAF
May 2, 2010, 5 pm - 7 pm
CHOW BAR, 230 W. 4th at 10th St.
Greenwich Village, NYC
Tickets: $20 (plus drinks, $3-6)
NEW: SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR OUR FRIENDS -- $15
ENTER CODE "Activist"
Buy at BROWN PAPER TICKETS AT THIS LINK
(http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/111198)
or 24 hour hotline: 1-800-838-3006
Buy in Advance with NO Ticketing Fee!
Note:
Advance ticket sales end at 3 pm on Sunday. Buy at the door with the same code: cash or check.
See the Words of Choice Promotional Video HERE.
Posted by Cindy Cooper
Pictured: Logo, NYAAF
Updated 4-30-2010
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