Creativity: One Piece of the ReproJustice Puzzle in NJ

In New Jersey for "Roe" day, we took the opportunity to investigate and experiment with the audience as our partners -- and to especially powerful results. (NOTE: Words of Choice will be back in Montclair, New Jersey FEB 13 at 3 pm -- a FUNDRAISER intended to help Words of Choice in our outreach to support doctors who are anti-abortion targets and to aid economically disadvantaged women; the event is in collaboration with the Monclair Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Come!)

On January 22, we joined with the NJ Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and the recently formed New Jersey Abortion Access Fund in an evening in Plainfield, NJ, devoted to reproductive justice. With actors Carl H. Jaynes, Abigail Ramsay and Claudia Schneider taking the stage, we asked audience members to write down in ten words or less either: "What I want Justice Sotomayor and Justice Kagan to know about reproductive freedom", or "How do I define reproductive freedom?"

Allotted 90 seconds to capture their thoughts, audience members scripted away on index cards, and we collected their responses and sent the actors off to another room. They took as many ideas as possible, and worked them into a new performance piece. In 45 minutes, this dynamic trio was back on stage, and this is what they put together (special thanks to Claudia Schneider for typing this up):

THE WORDS OF REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FROM NEW JERSEY'S "Roe v. Wade: One Piece of the Reproductive Justice Puzzle," January 22, 2011

Actor One:
If I can't control my own body, I control
nothing.

Actor Two:
Trust me to know when having a baby is the
right time for me.

Actor Three:
The choice to abort means caring very much
about family.

Actor One:
I have two beautiful daughters and I want them
to have the same freedom of choice that I did.

Actor Two:
Freedom to choose for my granddaughters, as did
their mothers.

Actor One:
Not all Catholics are against reproductive
rights...

Actor Two:
...Many of us know what is right in our hearts.

Actor Three:
Women who have abortions and have children are
the same women...

Actor Two & Three:
...At different times in their lives!

Actor Two:
What does reproductive freedom mean to me?

Actor Three:
Equal opportunity!

Actor Two:
Fairness!

Actor One:
Inalienable rights!

Actor Three:
Honor!

All ACTORS:
Self-Actualization!

Actors One & Two:
Inalienable rights!

Actor Three:
Pride!!

Relationships!!

Actors One & Two:
Inalienable rights!

All Actors:
LOVE!!!

Actor Three:
People express themselves sexually with
love. Let's protect them.

ALL ACTORS:
GET OUT OF MY VAGINA!!!

Actor One, Singing:
Women say they want Choice...

Actors One and Two:
Women say they want Choice...

Actors One, Two, Three:
Women say they want Choice...

TRUST THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- End --

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Take an activist step by taking a creative step! Your words mean more than ever.

Also joining in the New Jersey event was speaker Emma S. Ketteringham, Esq. of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Honoree Dr. Robert L. Johnson, Folk It All (musicians Allison Lee and Rev. Matthew Westfox, who also spoke), Barbara Kavadias, former executive director of NJRCRC and representatives of NJAAF.

Posted by Cindy Cooper
Pictured above: Claudia Schneider, Abigail Ramsay, Carl H. Jaynes.

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38 Years of "Roe": Celebrate, Honor, Protect

The January 22 anniversary of the decision in Roe v. Wade in 1973 brings into focus events around the country. Pro-choice advocates are taking this opportunity to talk, ponder, dance, watch, activate, mobilize and eat chocolate.

Here is a round up of some of the Roe events around the country.

* In Plainfield, New Jersey, the NJ Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and NJ Abortion Access Fund are sponsoring "Roe v. Wade: One Piece of the Reproductive Justice Puzzle" on Saturday, January 22, at 6:30 pm. Words of Choice will appear to present "Letters to Justice Blackmun" and audience feedback. Featured speaker, Emma S. Ketteringham, Esq. National Advocates for Pregnant Women. Additional info here.

* In St. Louis, MO, the St. Louis Freedom of Choice Council will be at The Wine Press, 4436 Olive Street on Friday, January 21, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30pm to raise funds to send volunteers to lobby at the state legislature. Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets $10-$50. RSVP: Angie Postal at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, 314-531-7526, x334 or Jeff Farris at NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri: 314-531-8616.

* In Denver, CO, the the Protect Families, Protect Choice coalition is hosting "Remembering Roe," at the Mercury Cafe , 2199 California St. in downtown Denver on Wednesday, January 19 at 6:00-9:00pm.Light snacks will be provided and a cash bar is available. The event is FREE!(Donations accepted.)Facebook.

* In New York City, join a Community Speak-Out for Reproductive Freedom and support a clinic targeted by anti-woman zealots on Saturday, January 22, from 12 noon to 2:00pm at Dr. Emily Women’s Health Center is located at 560 Southern Blvd., near E. 149th St., South Bronx. (Subway #6 to E. 149th St., Bus BX19). Sponsored by: New York Coalition for Abortion Clinic Defense and Radical Women, and endorsed by Freedom Socialist Party; National Organization for Women (NOW) - NY State, Brooklyn/Queens, Young Feminist Task Force; National Women's Liberation; Nieves Ayress Moreno-Trabajadoras por la Paz de NY; Socialist Core; World Can't Wait; Brooklyn Law School National Lawyers Guild Chapter.

* In Germantown, MD, support Dr. Leon Carhart who has become a target of anti-abortion zealots. Anti-abortion groups from around the country will be converging on Washington, DC for their annual "March for Life." Along with the larger mobilization, there are plans to directly target (including on Sunday Jan. 23) Dr. Carhart where he now works at in Germantown, MD. (Germantown Reproductive Health Services, 13233 Executive Park Terrace, Germantown, Maryland 20874). Join a mobilization to support the clinic. "They must not go unopposed ...stand up to these bullies." Contact debrasweet@worldcantwait.net. Read more.

* In Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN be a Voice for Choice at an event sponsored by Minnesota Choice Coalition on Thursday January 20, 6:00 - 8:00pm at Thom Pham’s Wondrous Azian Kitchen, 6th and Hennepin, Downtown Mpls., 533 Hennepin Avenue S.,Mps. MN. A casual and informative evening designed to bring friends and colleagues together to celebrate the anniversary of Roe and discuss how to we can work together to protect reproductive rights! A $5 donation is suggested by not required. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, complimentary valet parting in the Plymouth Bldg. E-mail -- rsvp@prochoiceminnesota.org. Facebook Invite.

* NEW: In Washington, DC, on Monday, January 24, 6 to 9 pm, join Visions in Feminism at Bread and Brew, 1247 20th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20036, for a fundraiser and mixer as it plans an upcoming conference and talks about action steps on reproductive rights. Facebook.

* In New York City, Rock Out for Roe at Biddy Earlys, 43 Murray St, New York, NY on Saturday, January 22, 7 pm to 10 pm. A fundraiser for the New York Abortion Access Fund. Doorprizes. Sign on with Shelby Knox & Steph Herold,Jessica Valenti,Lynn Harris,Sady Doyle, Bloggers from Feministing & Jezebel,,The Women's Media Center,Paradigm Shift /NARAL Pro-Choice New York,Planned Parenthood, others. Pay what you can at the door starting at $10, although no one will be turned away for inability to pay. Read more or RSVP.

* In Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN, NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota presents a live concert, Rock for Roe Fundraiser At The Cedar, 416 Cedar Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55454, on Saturday, January 22 at 8 pm (doors open at 7 pm); a fundraiser for NARAL MN. Bands appearing will include Bouncer Fighter, Teenage Moods, Sorry OK, Kitten Forever, and a surprise band. Tickets $12-advance/$15 day of. A standing show. Buy Ticket Info.

* In Portland, OR, on January 25, 6:30pm the Women’s Resource Center at PCC/Cascade and In Other Words present a showing of "JANE: An Abortion Service" by Nell Lundy and Kate Kirtz with a discussion with Judith Arcana, a Jane, at In Other Words, Feminist Community Center, 14 NE Killingsworth. Info at In Other Words.

* In Portland, OR, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon’s sponsors "Chocolate for Choice," on January 22, from 7-10 pm at EcoTrust, 721 9th Avenue, Portland, with the best chocolate Portland has to offer from Saint Cupcake, Piece of Cake, Missionary Chocolates, Two Tarts, Sweet Masterpiece, New Cascadia Traditional, Pie Spot and Grand Central Bakery, while celebrating a woman’s right to choose. Admission is $15, which includes two chocolates and hosted coffee and wine. Call: 503-223-4510 x13 or email maeve@prochoiceoregon.org. Other info here.

* In Corvallis, OR, on January 27 at 5pm, the OSU Women's Center presents "JANE: An Abortion Service" by Nell Lundy and Kate Kirtz with a discussion by Judith Arcana - a Jane, at the Women's Center. Info at womenscenter@oregonstate.edu.

* In the San Francisco-Bay Area, CA, join BACORR on Saturday January 22 at 11 a.m. at the Embarcadero at Harry Bridges Plaza, for a “Pro-Choice Parade” and counter demonstration to the religious-based, anti-abortion Walk For Life - West Coast. Read more and listen to a radio talk by organizers Somer and Emily at this site.

* In Washington, DC, NOW, Choice USA, and NARAL Pro-Choice America sponsor a Supreme Court Vigil, Friday, January 21, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the U.S. Supreme Court Sidewalk, 1 First Street NE, between Maryland Ave and East Capitol. A peaceful vigil: signs, battery-operated candles (traditional candles are not allowed outside the Court). Social after the vigil by DC NOW, 5-8 pm, at Stewart Mott House, 122 Maryland Ave NE, around the corner from the Court House. Info.

* In Ventura,CA, on Sunday, January 23 at 2 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah, the Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network presents "From the Back Alleys to the Supreme Court & Beyond," a conversation with Dorothy Fadiman, producer/director of "CHOICE: Then & Now" on the history of abortion rights and the present day struggle. Info here, or tickets -- call (805)722-5444. In Santa Barbara, CA, the play, "Jane: Abortion and the Underground," by Paula Kamen, was presented to benefit Planned Parenthood, a co production with with Women's Center at UCSB, on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 at the Center Stage Theater, based on the Jane Collective of the 1970s.

* In Atlanta, GA, on Thursday, January 20, 6- 8 pm, "Stand Up for Reproductive Justice," an Awards Gala and Celebration by the Feminist Women's Health Center at The Twelve Hotel, Atlantic Station, 361 17th Street. Awards to Eleanor Smeal, Charis Books, Janet Crepps. Info about event tickets.

* In Washington, DC, on Thursday, January 20, 7-9 pm, "We Are The Champions! Six Young Reproductive Justice Leaders Go Head-To-Head (With Words, That Is" sponsored by CHOICE USA and Campus Progress at the Center for American Progress, 1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC. Info here. or RSVP here. Follow on twitter -- #rjchampions.

* Online - On January 21, 2011, pro-choice bloggers and activists are invited to join us for the sixth annual Blog for Choice Day! Register and blog on the topic, "Given the anti-choice gains in the states and Congress, are you concerned about choice in 2011?" and tag posts with "Blog for Choice" and download a Blog for Choice Day graphic. You can also participate through Twitter by tagging #Tweet4Choice. More info and sign-up here.

* In New York, Tuscon and Dallas join Tweetup parties sponsored by Feminists for Choice. m the tweets to the streets. We could see several challenges to women’s health in 2011. New York, NY: Friday, Jan. 21, 6-8:00 pm at Dove Parlour, 228 Thompson St.,cosponsored by NOW-NYC; Tucson, AZ: Friday, Jan. 21, 6–8 pm, Javalina Cantina, 445 South Alvernon Way, co-sponsored by PP Advocates of Arizona’s Community Action Team; Dallas: on Saturday, January 22, 7:00 pm, at La Grange, 2704 Elm Street,co-sponsored with Planned Parenthood North Texas. Info.

* In Sacramento, CA, on Friday, January 21 from 6:30 - 8 pm join Women's Health Specialists to take a tour of their Sacramento or Chico clinic, with refreshments, great conversation and an evening of celebration! Info.

* ADD'L INFO: On radio NYC and Internet on Saturday, January 22 at 3 pm, Sunsara Taylor dedicates the hour to Roe on “Equal Time for Freethought” on WBAI, fm dial 99.5 or online at http://stream.wbai.org. “The Morality of Abortion and the Immorality of Those Who Would Force Women to Bear Children Against Their Will” will feature Dr. Leroy Carhart; Merle Hoffman of Choices Women’s Medical Center, Debra Sweet of The World Can’t Wait, and Carole Joffe, author of ‘Dispatches From the Abortion Wars.’ Archived for 90 days. UPDATE JAN 25: Listen to archived show here.

* In Sonoma County, CA, a NOW demonstration on Saturday, January 22, 1 - 3:00 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Intersection of Mendocino and 4th. Rain or shine. Info.

* In North Miami, FL, on Saturday, Jan 22, 6 am-11 am, NOW and Miami Clinic Access Project Clinic Defense, meet at A Choice for Women, 6660 SW 117th Avenue, Miami, FL to defend clinic access against anti-abortion extremists. Info.

* In Palm Beach County, FL, NOW and Planned Parenthood of South Florida sponsor an event at Boston’s on Delray Beach on Tuesday, January 25 • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Info.

* In Des Plaines, ILL, on January 25 at 6:30 pm, a North Northwest Suburban NOW: free screening of “12th and Delaware” at Oakton's Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road, Room 1606. by North Northwest Suburban NOW. and the Gender Studies program, followed by a talk and Q & A with Catherine Caporusso, a civil rights attorney. Refreshments. Info.

* In Indianapolis, IN, "Toast to Roe" on Wednesday, January 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Aristocrat Pub and Restaurant, 5212 North College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, by Indianapolis NOW to plan for legislative activities. Info.

* In Louisville, KY, on Sunday, January 23, 5-7 pm, a NOW Candlelight Vigil at Fourth Ave. United Methodist Church, 318 West St. Catherine Street, Louisville, Kentucky, with local religious leaders, music by local musicians, and sharing. Info.

* In Bangor, ME, “Choice and Chocolate” on Thursday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center, 700 Mount Hope Avenue, Suite 420, Bangor, ME 04401, with a talk on the history of abortion rhetoric by Maine professor, socializing, fare trade chocolate treats, & coffee. RSVP: info@mabelwadsworth.org

* In Genesee County, MI, on Monday, January 31, 5 pm – 7 pm, “Before & After Roe” at Beyond Coffee, 1509 S. State Rd, Suite F, Davison, MI 48423; an informal meeting by Genesee NOW. Info.

* In Huntington, NY, on Thursday, January 20, a private screening of Rachel Maddow's "The Assassination of Dr. Tiller" followed by a discussion, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. Tickets and info here.

*NEW In Washington, DC, on Monday, January 24, at 3:30 pm, a Roe vigil in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, One First Street NE, sponsored by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Read here or email kvannice@rcrc.org.

* In St. Petersburg, FL, on Friday, January 21, 12 noon-1 pm, Rally for Roe, Downtown St. Petersburg, Intersection of Central Ave. and 3rd. St. N., sponsored by Pinellas NOW, Planned Parenthood of SW and Central FL, and Tampa NOW. Info.

* FOR OTHER NOW EVENTS in Michigan, Rochester, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and elsewhere, see NOW ROE EVENTS.

A few articles to mention:
To Doe from Roe: Without You, I'm Nothing

A Roe Plaintiff Restates Her (Pro-Choice) Case

Roe v Wade 38th Anniversary -- A Time for Celebration and Commitment

Posted by Cindy Cooper
Pictured above: Photo by Lisa Link, also in Words of Choice DVD

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Resources from Radical Librarians

Radical librarians will help you!

Is this a great idea or what?

Radical Reference is a collective of volunteer library workers who believe in social justice and equality. They will help you!

Here's how the Radical Reference people describe their work:

We support activist communities, progressive organizations, and indepen-dent journalists by providing professional research support, education and access to information. We work in a collaborative virtual setting and are dedicated to inform-ation activism to foster a more egalitarian society.

Radical reference originated as a service provided by volunteer library workers from all over the United States to assist demonstrators and activists at the convergence surrounding the Republican National Convention in New York City August 29-September 2, 2004.

We are evolving, expanding our services, and continuing to utilize our professional skills and tools to answer information needs from the general public, independent journalists, and activists. We are gearing up for the upcoming 2008 presidential elections and the Democratic and Republican National Committee meetings. Service will be provided via this web site, blog, e-mail, chat, phone, in the street and Ouija board.

You can post a question and upload it to the site. Or check the Reference Page for online tools including the Feminist Fact Checking Resources.

Some great resources are online, too. Take this one -- a slideshow, viewable online, of where to find primary resourcs on women's liberation. And if you already ARE a librarian, you can volunteer your services, including for a Reference Wiki.

Start the new year right with all the radical information you can gather.

Posted by Cindy Cooper
Pictured above, logo, Radical Reference

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