Monday, January 22, is the 34th anniversary of the
landmark Roe v. Wade decision. This monumental
Supreme Court ruling put reproductive choice
alongside other fundamental rights, such as freedom
of speech and freedom of religion, for the first time.
In 1976, Congress passed the
Hyde
Amendment, eliminating federal funding of
abortions for women on Medicaid and sharply
reducing their access to abortion services. For
almost the entire time that abortion has been
legal, women who are poor and marginalized have
been denied services because of the Hyde
Amendment. The "choice" of whether or not to
continue a pregnancy is a hollow promise if one is
poor.
This issue of the SYRForecast includes ideas
to commemorate the Roe v. Wade anniversary. It
also includes details about new resources available
to
you from SYRF, a few very exciting (paid) internship
opportunities, and the launch of a new campaign all
about R-E-S-P-E-C-T (thank you, Aretha).
As you read on, take a moment to think about how
you will observe the 34th Roe anniversary. Some
ideas include joining
our virtual march, donning a
SYRF button (or sticker!), saying a prayer, or educating a friend
about reproductive justice.
All good things,
Emily Goodstein
Director, Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom
