NYCLU Commemorates 35 Years of Roe v. Wade

The New York Civil Liberties Union today celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a series of events commemorating the decision.

“This landmark ruling has not only saved countless lives since 1973, but has allowed women to make essential decisions for themselves and their families,” said Donna Lieberman, NYCLU executive director. “We honor all women and men who have faced these decisions, and the advocates and providers who have fought to keep abortion safe, legal and accessible.”

The Reproductive Rights Project of the New York Civil Liberties Union works on a wide range of issues affecting reproductive health, including abortion rights and access, contraception, reproductive and sexual health, equal treatment of pregnant and parenting women in employment and education, comprehensive and medically accurate sex and HIV/AIDS education, and patient privacy. The project is committed to preserving and expanding the rights of all New Yorkers, but especially the most vulnerable: low-income women, women of color and adolescents. It furthers these goals through litigation and legal analysis, advocacy, outreach and education.

“A generation of women – including myself – have grown up without fear of politicians making reproductive decisions for us,” said Galen Sherwin, Director of the NYCLU’s Reproductive Rights Project. “Sadly, on this anniversary we’re reminded how much that right is in jeopardy. The NYCLU is committed to ensuring that we never again have to see a world without Roe.”

To commemorate the Roe anniversary, the NYCLU is sponsoring the following events. Both are by invitation but open to media:

WHAT:
A Conversation on Women’s Health with First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer; Galen Sherwin, director of the NYCLU’s Reproductive Rights Project; and Joann Smith, president and CEO of Family Planning Advocates.

WHERE:
First Unitarian Church,
220 Winton Rd. So., Rochester

WHEN:
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

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WHAT:
Looking Ahead: State Strategies in 2008, a breakfast briefing featuring Sondra Goldschein, state strategies attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union; Liz Krueger, state senator for the 26th senate district; and Linda Rosenthal, state assemblymember for the 67th assembly district.

WHERE:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
4 Times Square, New York City

WHEN:
Thursday, Jan. 24, 8:30 a.m.