With the escalating vicious nationwide attack on the right to abortion and even birth control going on, this National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers takes on new profound importance. All of us who are outraged by this endless onslaught on the reproductive choice need to take that all that righteous outrage and focus it for the next two weeks into making sure March 10th, National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers is a big celebration of abortion and the precious doctors who make this right available!
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 harassed, 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 indispensable to the equality of women in this society.
Watch Dr. Susan Wicklund on what difference it makes to get a note of support, in the midst of threats, from Abortion, Morality, and the Liberation of Women.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Find a clinic near you: National Abortion Federation LIST Abortion Clinics Online LIST. Bring flowers & thank you cards in person (we recommend calling first).
You can download, print and send cards to providers by clicking on one of the images below. Designed to be printed on 8 1/2 x 11″ paper and folded in 4 – use a notecard envelope to keep from folding again. Thanks to Heather Ault with 4000yearsforchoice.com for the great designs!
Message from Alexis Zepeda
Volunteer Clinic Escort, DC Abortion Fund Board Member
For all abortion providers, clinic staff, volunteer escorts and local fund volunteers…
When she looks at the piece of paper with your phone number on it, she wonders who will watch her kids, will she have to travel to a different state, does her credit card have enough space on it, how much will she get when she pawns her TV, will he come through with the $300 he promised her…can she do this?
She walks through the gauntlet of protesters – the same people some of you walk past every day at work and at home – but remains resolute in her decision. This choice of hers is only a real possibility because of your dedication to the notion that as long as there are unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, there must be access to safe and legal abortion care.
Your work is revolutionary and empowering. Your goals are simple: value women, trust women, listen to women. By providing the compassionate and skilled abortion care that women and their families need, you save women’s lives. You are heroes. Thank you for all that you do. Hearing that every day would still never be enough. On March 10, know that you all play a critical role in our movement’s struggle to fight stigma, judgment and prejudice.
Thank you!!
Abortion is a matter of the heart: for until one understands the heart of a woman, nothing else about abortion makes any sense at all.
– Dr. George Tiller