Over the last eight years, on each anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, former President Bush would declare his support for the thousands of anti-choice activists who rally in Washington DC each year on that day.
This year, the White House sent a different message.
THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 22, 2009
Statement of President Obama on the 36th Anniversary of Roe v. WadeOn the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman's right to choose.
While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.
On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.
THE WHITE HOUSE, January 22, 2009.
For all of us who barely remember a time before the Bush government, it is SO refreshing to have these statements coming from the White House. Seriously.
h/t to Jessica G.
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Refreshing! I broke into tears as I read the last paragraph out loud to my husband.
"On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere."
Now that's change I can believe in! Thank you for posting this.
President Obama has been in office less than a week and already we are seeing signs that this presidency will undo the harm done by the Adminisration of Geoge W. Bush. Obama’s inspiring and encouraging words on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade demonstrate that the destructive and restrictive anti-choice policies of the past have no place in the Obama Administration. Obviously, the struggle to protect choice in this country is on-going, and despite President Obama’s best efforts, there are those working to restrict women’s access to healthcare and information. It is a relief to know that the Mexico City Policy, otherwise known as the global gag rule, has been reversed in this new political climate. But, that does not mean pro-choice advocates should become complacent or rest on our laurels. Despite the resounding defeats of anti-choice ballot measures in California, Colorado, and South Dakota during the last election, there is no evidence to suggest that anti-choice advocates will give up. Our responsibilities in the new Administration are twofold: 1) We must continue to support all of President Obama’s efforts to educate women and families on healthcare and the issue of choice and 2) We must embrace the President’s message of unity by reframing the issue of abortion to appeal to more traditionally anti-choice communities. Bridging entrenched idealogical divides proved extremely effective during the fight to defeat the South Dakota abortion ban, and it is our best hope of ensuring that the steps taken by President Obama to protect the right to choose are met with support at the local and state levels.
This makes me feel more amazing than I could ever describe.
This administration is off to a great start. I haven't felt this optimistic in years.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I got goosebumps just reading this!
I was eleven-years-old when Bush took office. I can't remember the Clinton Years. I can only remember the Bush Years. I can remember coming to my senses and deciding to question authority. I can remember becoming cynical, hating authority, hating people who wanted to take my rights away. I remember telling my mother at 13 or so "While I never plan to have an abortion, I like knowing that I have the option too."
I have never been so pleased to know that someone was in authority. I have never been happy acknowledging an authoritative male figure. I am so happy with President Obama. I hope he excels and keeps EVERYONE in this country free.
God help us all. Half the babies that are aborted are women. More than half the babies that are aborted are African American.
America is killing those who celebrate this new presidency the most.
Its an incredible reflection of this selfish society. I doesn't affect me, so I'll celebrate the liberal idea. I wonder how 50 million dead babies would vote from the halls of eternity if they had a voice.
I wasn't going to leave a response to this posting until I read DavidB's comment. Shame on you!!!!! Neither god (if there is such a thing), nor the government has any right to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body. If men carried children, this wouldn't be an issue. They would never allow abortion to be illegal. Having an abortion is a difficult and trying decision for any women to make, regardless of age, or race. It is never something entered into lightly and for you to say that if all of the aborted African-American Women who have been aborted could vote against this great man, you are either racist, stupid or both.
I wasn't going to leave a response to this posting until I read DavidB's comment. Shame on you!!!!! Neither god (if there is such a thing), nor the government has any right to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body. If men carried children, this wouldn't be an issue. They would never allow abortion to be illegal. Having an abortion is a difficult and trying decision for any women to make, regardless of age, or race. It is never something entered into lightly and for you to say that if all of the aborted African-American Women who have been aborted could vote against this great man, you are either racist, stupid or both.
Yes. DavidB should not have a say in this issue. Reproductive choice is not simply about abortion, it is also is about providing good health care to prevent vaginal fistula in women who have complicated pregnancies in Third World countries. Reproductive health care means that children learn that "No!" means no when someone tries to harm them. Reproductive health care means that women can measure out their pregnancies with contraception so that the babies are born full-term and not premature. Reproductive health care for me was that I chose a procedure that meant that I did not have a hysterectomy for a fibroid but I made the CHOICE to have a different procedure that did not hospitalize me for a longer time and made it easier and quicker to be back to my family than if I had the advised surgery.
I would further Linda's idea that abortion is a difficult decision to make by suggesting that abortion is a nearly impossible decision to make. Someone who decides to abort a pregnancy knows what they are doing to themselves, and will deal with the emotional repercussions of such an action. These women should be all the more supported in their choice because it is such an emotionally painful procedure for most women (I know of two friends who have been through an abortion and they said it was quite possibly the hardest and upsetting decision they've ever made) I'm not saying abortion is murder, but in my experience, as soon as the idea of pregnancy is involved, you look towards the reality of the group of cells multiplying inside you and the potential for that to become a child. Women should have the ultimate and free choice to decide whether they are ready for that tiniest of potentials to flourish further, or to be removed.
I've just re-read my comment, and I just want to add, tat although the friends who have had an abortion found it one of the most difficult decisions they've made, they don't regret it. It may have sounded like I was saying that it was a foolish decision, but I really don't think that.
Okay, so Obama's statement is awesome. I am totally in support, and I too think that DavidB should shut his pie-hole.
But can I just ask what the frick a military ad is doing on a pro-women, feminist website?? That is MESSED UP, and it makes me want to go find some other feminist website to empower myself.
abort73.com