By Debra Sweet 
In 1996, March 10th was declared a
National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers by a group of national organizations and individuals as a way of giving back to the people who risk so much to ensure women have access to abortion.
March 10th is the anniversary of the murder of Dr. David Gunn, the first provider murdered by an anti-abortion extremist.
Since then doctors and clinic staff continue to be attacked, their clients mercilessly harrassed, their facilities bombed and burned, and their doctors and staff murdered. Yet they continue going to work, braving an increasing onslaught from fundamentalist extremists, because they know their services are absolutely indispensible to the equality of women in this society.
More on the history of the National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers
Recognizing Abortion Providers, Dr. Linda Prine, Physicians for Reproductive Choice & Health wrote last year:
…we will also mourn the murder of the kindest, most humble and bravest physician many of us have ever met: George Tiller. We will reflect on the risks he took to serve women, the sacrifices he and his family made while living under siege. We will think of his mottoes, especially “Trust women”—the guiding principle that kept him focused on his patients’ needs.
Thursday, March 10, 2011 this is what you can do:
► Find a clinic near you: National Abortion Federation LIST Abortion Clinics Online LIST
► Spread on Facebook
► Bring flowers & thank you cards in person. You can download, print and send cards to providers here
► Write a letter to the editor of your local paper, praising providers
► Contact your local clinic about becoming an escort or finding out other ways to help
Watch Kari Ann Rinker on Rachel Maddow
Talking about the ongoing campaign of intimidation against the pro-choice community and any doctors who would dare to take Dr. Tiller’s place in Wichita, KS.
4000YearsforChoice.com is the perfect resource for helping you thank the providers in your community and dispell the total lies pushed by "40 Days for Life" (the national campaign which has plans to kick up a new wave of clinic harassment starting on March 12th).
Reports from Walk For Choice held in more than 50 cities, Sat. Feb. 26th. Read reports
here
We’ve said it before and we’ll keep on saying it: this is about women’s rights, women’s lives, women’s hopes and dreams and destinies. Our right to control our own bodies is non-negotiable, and the people who stand up to the threats, stigma, and violence to provide us with reproductive control are absolutely heroes.
at the point of conception, the baby has different DNA than the mother so it isn’t technically her body. there are some cases where abortion is okay in my view such as when a woman gets raped or if the baby is a risk to the mother’s life but beyond that, i believe abortion is entirely wrong. Now everyone has their own beliefs and ideals because in today’s world there are no moral absolutes but i don’t think that the process of killing babies really deserves a day of appreciation.
miriah, most kids put up for adoption in america end up in foster care and alone when they turn 18, if you don’t like abortions no one is saying you need one but every woman should have the right to make her own decisions about her body
Who just stands up for killing a living creature? Just because their mothers spread their legs and got pregnant, doesn\\\’t mean they can take their life. There is other options!Take some birth control. Did you ever hear of it? There are many of families in this world that want to have children and can\\\’t. Have the child and give it up to go to a good home. Help another family out. Don\\\’t just think of yourself!