ADL, together with leading voices from the Los Angeles reproductive justice and civil rights community, joined to co-sponsor the National Council of Jewish Women/ Los Angeles community program “Stories from the Frontline: Standing Together for Reproductive Rights, Health & Justice Celebrating Roe v. Wade’s 42nd Anniversary” on January 22.
The nighttime program featured a legislative update from civil rights attorney Sandra Fluke, who is nationally regarded for her expertise in gender equality and reproductive justice. In addition, Joyce Schorr, founder of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, described the pressing needs of women of all ages, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds who are financially unable to pay for safe, legal abortions or emergency contraceptives.
Following these remarks, celebrity guests performed stories written by women in California and across the nation that illustrate what it means to survive without access to reproductive health services. Guest readers included Amy Brenneman, L. Scott Caldwell, Michael Cory Davis, Damon Gupton, Lenzi Sheible and Elizabeth Triplett.
Maya Paley, NCJW’s Director of Legislative and Community Engagement, concluded the programmatic portion of the event with an update on the Hyde Amendment and invited participants to sign a joint letter from co-sponsoring organizations encouraging President Obama to eliminate restrictions on abortion funding in his FY2016 budget.
Following the program, participants were invited to enjoy a Call to Action dessert reception.