Women's Justice Campaign

Reproductive Rights: Sacred Choices Campaign

Reproductive Rights:  Sacred Choices Campaign 2007- 08
Part of AUW’s Protecting Women’s Rights Campaign and a
Working Group of the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) 

Mission/Purpose:

• To promote and protect the reproductive rights of  women worldwide
• To reframe reproductive choice as a UU religious issue.
• To educate and advocate for Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

Leadership Team

• Cathy Apostle caquilt51@aol.com   Jody Beresford spice777@aol.com,  Connie Diercks cdiercks@comcast.net, Sara McMullen mckru@comcast.net
• Other campaign leaders:  Jean Buckley, Kelli Clement, Phyllis Fairman, Betty Lia Hoadberg,, Kathleen Hollinger, Johanna Krueger, Abbie McMillan, Sharon Ramirez, Faith Woodman, Pamela Vincent  

Name of Key Community Partner(s)

• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights (RCRC) www.mnrcrc.org
• Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) www.muusja.org

Campaign Goals

• Reflect on and clarify our views on reproductive rights and sexuality education as a religious issue
• Educate UUs, others about reproductive rights, sexuality education as a sacred choice that reflects our UU faith
• Advocate for supportive legislation at the local, state, national, and international levels
• Build and become an effective organizer for social change

Key 2006-2007 Accomplishments

• AUW became a governing board member of RCRC.
• We raised awareness about reproductive justice and comprehensive sexuality education
• UU Prairie Star District Faith and Choice program
• Guest lectures on abortion and choice in LSFD Youth classes
• Book discussion on “How The Pro-Choice Movement Saved America”
• AUW Sunday Sermon—“Choice Makes Us Human”
• Earth Day Display—Healthy Woman/Healthy Earth (with Eco Minds)
• Film Series—“Danger to Dignity:  The Fight for Safe Abortion” and
  ”Abstinence Comes to Albuquerque”
• MUUSJA panel presentation on reproductive rights
• Offered opportunities for UU women to reflect on choice as a religious value
• Fall and Spring Sessions of Faith and Choice program
• Theological Reflection on reproductive rights with UUA Clara Barton Intern  Meredith Schonfeld -Hicks
• Advocated for comprehensive sexuality education and choice
• Sent mailings to MN UU Churches about candidate positions on reproductive rights.
• Sent 1 UU youth, 1 young adult and advisor to Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) in Washington, D.C. Collaborated with MN United Church of Christ (UCC) Delegates.
• UU youth and advisors advocated for comprehensive sex. education with legislators  in Washington, DC
• Organized “Ironing Board” mailings and phone calls.
• Participated in MN Lobby Day at the State Legislature. Youth, Abbie McMillan, was rally speaker.
• Strengthened ties with our national and local community partners:
• Clara Barton Intern Support Team
• Participated in activities of pro-choice allies ---e.g., Planned Parenthood Inter-Faith Breakfast, NARAL Roe v. Wade anniversary, MN Women’s Campaign Fund Luncheon.
• Continue to encourage intergenerational connection/awareness of choice/comprehensive sexuality education
• Organized intergenerational discussion of film” Abstinence Comes to Albuquerque.”
• Recognized RR activist/ Clara Barton Sisterhood Honoree Phyllis Fairman at the AUW Tea.
• Promoted SEAT, honored Coming of Age Youth as part of AUW Mother-Daughter Banquet.
• Encouraged youth involvement in AUW—hired Boston bound youth for M/D Banquet, involved 7th graders in making cards for COA Youth, donated food for Unity Summer youth to sell on Mother’s Day.

Suggested Priorities for 2007-2008

• Expand AUW campaign base
• Leverage the RCRC relationship
• Outreach to Minnesota UUs

About Us

- Who We Are
-Organizational Structure &
How We Work Together

Friendship Groups

- How Do They Work?
- Sign up

AUW Visioning

- What’s this about?
- Schedule/Sign up
- Facilitating/Contact

Women's Justice Campaign

- Overview
- Reproductive Rights, Sacred Choices
- RR: SC Highlights and Sign Up
- Voting Rights, Sacred Franchise Campaign
VR: SF GOals and More Info

Goings-on

-Events Calendar