Fighting for a world where people care more and judge less. Addressing the issues of reproductive health and social equality with compassion, truth, and humor.
Hey all, sorry it's been a while since we've had an update. Things, as you can imagine, have been a little nuts around here.
This Tuesday, Jan 22, is the anniversary of the passage of Roe v Wade, making access to safe, legal
abortion the law of the land. With the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court, we have been worried about the future of Roe v Wade. Therefore, we decided to have our annual Roe v Wade event on the actual anniversary this year.
The event begins at 5:30PM on 1/22/19 at the Renaissance Hotel in Albany. Tickets include beer, wine and soda, and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. We will be honoring Eleanor's Legacy and the NYS Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus, and our Keynote speaker for the evening will be NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. We would love for you to join us, and you can purchase your ticket here.
The other amazing thing going on that day, is the long-awaited passage (we hope) of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA). If you're not sure what that is, here are some cliff's notes.
NYS legalized abortion three years before Roe v Wade, and is out of date. RHA will make it consistent with federal law.
One of the ways it is inconsistent with federal law, is that it is listed in the NYS penal code, not the health code. We hope to remedy that with RHA.
Our antiquated state law lacks a health exception, forcing individuals to leave our state for care later in pregnancy, in the rare and tragic cases when their health is at risk or a fetus is not viable.
This has been ten years in the making, so we will be gathering at the Capitol to rally and hopefully witness the passage of the bill on the Assembly and Senate floors. Please join us for this exciting and important moment. We will be gathering at three. The details are in the facebook event I linked to above, but it is important that you register if you plan to join us. This is a free event, but we need to have a tally of who will be joining us for security purposes.
This is a very exciting time to be a New Yorker, which is refreshing when juxtaposed with all the terrible nonsense happening in Washington. We hope you will join us!
April 9, 1970 is a special day in New York State legislative
history; Assemblyman George Michaels changed his vote from "No" to
"Yes", thereby enabling the 1970 Reproductive Health Act to pass the
Assembly (the state Senate had passed it previously; Governor Rockefeller
signed it into law the following day).The story of that day, and the history of illegal abortions in New York
over the 150 years preceding it, are documented in "From Danger to Dignity: The Fight for Safe Abortion", produced by Concentric Media in
association with KTEH-TV, San Jose, CA.It is available on YouTube and is well worth watching.Indeed, in today's political climate in which
reproductive rights are under fierce attack its message may be more important
than when it was released in 1995.
Yet even though significant in content and praiseworthy for
its production values, the documentary glosses over two contributing elements
of the 1970 story.They concern Michaels
himself, and the atmosphere in which that final vote took place.
First, a word about Michaels.A native of Queens and a graduate of Cornell
and Brooklyn Law School, he established a law practice in Auburn, New York, an
upstate, largely conservative and Roman Catholic city.A Democrat, he represented Auburn and Cayuga
County in the legislature from 1961-1966, when through reapportionment his
district was merged with its neighbor that encompassed Cortland County.He declined to run in the new district until
1969, when he rejoined the Assembly.At
the time, he was noted primarily for his support of expanded state aid for
rural school districts and (in 1970) for promoting the bluebird as the state's
official bird.
He also favored a woman's right to choose to have an
abortion on a personal basis, but how widely his position was then known is not
clear.He had twice complied with
requests from his District's Democratic Committee to vote against reproductive
rights, including legalized abortion.April
9, however, was a different story.As it
is described in "From Danger to Dignity" Michaels' decision is
clearly a significant event. But by incorporating only the final two sentences
of his remarks that day it misses a tense, emotional drama.
That absence may reflect the fact that the documentary was
prepared 25 years after the event by a team that had not been there to witness
it.My family and I were there, and we
still recall it as an occasion that merits a more complete description.
That we were in the Assembly Gallery at all that afternoon
was entirely happenstance.We had gone
to Albany City Hall that afternoon to apply for passports for a forthcoming
trip abroad (in those days the process began by having your signature notarized
by the town or city clerk).The process
took less time than we anticipated and as we walked back to our car parked by
the State Capitol I sensed a teaching moment for our three young sons.With no knowledge of what was up, I
suggested: "let's go see what is going on in the legislature".Since we were on the Assembly side of the
building, we went up to its gallery just as Michaels was beginning to talk.
To set the stage: when a roll call vote is being taken in
the Assembly, an electronic wall display shows each member's vote as well as a
running total of all Yes and No votes.Ultimately, the Speaker instructs the clerk to close the voting process
and a final tally is announced and recorded.Seventy-six Yes votes are required for passage of the matter at hand,
and the Speaker votes only when his vote will make a difference.On this occasion, the electronic display
showed a tie vote, 74-74, so even if the Speaker had voted the measure would
not pass.
While a roll call is in process members may address the
Assembly to explain their votes, but this is not common.When Michaels rose to speak no one knew what
he was going to say, and given the voting deadlock, the atmosphere in the packed
galleries was palpably tense.
I don't know how long he spoke; it seemed like ten minutes
or more.He rambled as he took us
through his inner thoughts.His intent
became clearer when he told the Assembly of pressures from his family."One of my sons just called me a whore
for the vote I (previously) cast against this"; a second son insisted:
"Dad, for God's sake, don't let your vote be the vote that defeats the
bill"."I had hoped that this
would never happen," Michaels said; "(my constituents will) condemn
me for what I am about to do.But what's
the use of getting elected, or reelected, if you don't stand for something. … I
realize, Mr. Speaker, that I am terminating my political career, but I cannot
in good conscience sit here and allow my vote to be the one that defeats this
bill."
He asked the Speaker, Perry Duryea, Jr., a Republican from
Montauk, to change his vote to Yes.The
now- 75-73 vote required Duryea to vote: he voted Yes, declared the bill
passed, and immediately adjourned the session.A highly-charged incident ended in a collective sigh of relief and joy.
From my perspective, Michaels’ story deserves repeating in
an era where #MeToo seems to be controlling the headlines. Despite current
notorious examples of misogyny, there are men who have stood and continue to
stand with women in the fight for equality. These are men who actively reject
the premise that women are a subordinate class when it comes to managing their
own lives. They don't do it for recognition and thanks but simply because they
believe it is the right thing to do.And
some, like Michaels, have even been willing to accept the accompanying personal
cost of standing up to established ways.
Make Trouble by Cecile Richards Former Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards will be in Troy for a book signing!
Cecile Richards is a national leader for women’s rights and social and economic justice. As President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund for more than a decade, Richards worked to increase affordable access to reproductive health care and to build a healthier and safer world for women and young people. After starting her career as a labor organizer, working with women earning the minimum wage, she went on to start her own grassroots organizations, and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In 2011 and 2012, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. Richards is a frequent speaker and commentator on politics and progressive issues. Event date: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Event time: 3:30pm Event address: Market Block Books located at 290 River Street, Troy, NY 12180 For more information click here.
#Intergenerational Story Share
There is so much we can learn from the founders of the reproductive health and rights movement. The world before Roe v. Wade is one very few of us can even fathom but for these long time Planned Parenthood supporters, it is a world they know all too well. Our intergenerational story share potluck aims to bring the voices of our current advocates and the elders of the Beverwyck Community Action Council together to share stories and life experiences.
The Beverwyck Community Action Council wants to hear from YOU! It's an unbelievable gift to be heard, and to hear someone else in exchange. The Beverwyck group has reserved a room and planned months in advance to make this happen - by attending this event you are committing to being a part of a broader community of activists invested in the work of Planned Parenthood.
Join us at this potluck event sponsored by Friends with Benefits and the Beverwyck Community Action Council for a shared meal and invaluable conversation.
Thursday, May 17th 6:00 - 8:00 pm The Terrace at Beverwyck Retirement Community 41 Beverwyck Ln #1, Slingerlands, NY 12159
#NYS DOL One Fair Wage Hearing
Join UHPP and coalition partners at the NYS DOL One Fair Wage Hearing at the Legislative Office Building at the Capital in Albany! We are joining with our coalition partners to help raise the pay of tipped workers to the full minimum wage. No worker should be at risk of wage theft, sexual harassment or discrimination.
If you are interested in joining us for a rally and to attend the hearing, please RSVP HERE! We need to SHOW up for our partners in PINK!
Friday May 18th 9:00 am Meet in the Well of the LOB (press conference and rally) 10:00 am hearing begins Legislative Office Building (LOB) 198 State Street Albany, NY 12210
Say
NO to back alleys, and YES to bowling alleys! Join Upper Hudson
Planned Parenthood at Del Lanes in Delmar on April 29th at
2pm to #FundAbortionBuildPower.
We're
lacing up our bowling shoes and getting to work! Want to show up for
abortion access? Support us by making a
donation to our team or join the squad! The process is fast,
easy, and secure! Bowl with the UHPP staff, invest in abortion funds
and raise money with us. *FREE SWAG FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS*
Pre-registration is required - Get more info on the UHPP team here!
Send
a message that you believe we all should be able to access abortion,
no matter how much money we make or where we live. Care, no matter
what!
Sunday, April 29th at 2:00pm
Del Lanes in Delmar
4 Bethlehem Ct, Delmar, NY 12054
New
York has a long and proud legacy of leading the way to advance
women’s rights. From the birth of the women’s rights movement at
Seneca Falls to the recent passage of the most comprehensive Paid
Family Leave policy in the nation, New York continues to champion
women’s rights and break down barriers to equality.
In
2018, we have an opportunity to build on this progress
and continue to advance equality across all areas of life.
While
the federal government seeks to roll back women’s rights, New York
State looks toward the future. With these bold set of proposals,
the 2018 Agenda will create opportunity for women to succeed in
every area: work, health, safety, education and family
life and you can learn more about each of them here.
Call your elected officials in the NYS Senate and Assembly TODAY
and urge them to include the Women's Agenda, including the
Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act, $750,000
legislative add for the Family Planning Grant, decriminalization of
abortion, and the creation of a maternal mortality review
board in the NYS Budget!
As you all know we try to focus on national themes with our book
club selections and this month is no different. March is
Women’s History Month, and to celebrate all the amazing women who
have gone down in history as feminist icons, we have decided to
read about a young woman who embodies just this. This month The F
Word will be reading, I
Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was
Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. We
will be meeting at 3Fish Coffee on Sunday, April 8th at 11am to
review this incredible novel and discuss ways we can support and
uplift the women in our communities who make us all stronger.
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one
girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought
for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when
she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot
in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from
school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala's
miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from
a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United
Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of
peaceful protest and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood is looking for
volunteers to get involved and to help us engage our community
through outreach efforts and get out the vote opportunities this
Spring!
Are you interested in working side by side at community events
across the capital region spreading Upper Hudson Planned
Parenthoods mission? Are you ready to continue to fight
for reproductive freedom and help educate our community on the
importance of safer sex? Together, we can demostrate our
power, engage our people and move our work of expanding access to
sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights forward!
As we head into the warmer months, we are looking for passionate,
committed advocates who want to volunteer for community outreach
initiatives including tabling at summer fairs, Healthy Neighborhood
Canvassing and with our non-partisan our voter
registration campaign! Join us at our next volunteer training night
to learn more about available volunteer opportunities and start
the training you will need to join us in the streets. Dinner
will be served! Reserve your spot today!
Monday, April 16th 6-8pm
Albany Conference Room
855 Central Avenue
#Abortion Access Bowl-A-Thon 2018
Say
NO to back alleys, and YES to bowling alleys! Join Upper Hudson
Planned Parenthood at Del Lanes in Delmar on April 29th
at 2pm to #FundAbortionBuildPower.
We're
lacing up our bowling shoes and getting to work! Want to show up for
abortion access? Support us by making a
donation to our team or join the squad! The process is fast,
easy, and secure! Bowl with the UHPP staff, invest in abortion
funds and raise money with us. Get more info on the UHPP team here!
Send
a message that you believe we all should be able to access
abortion, no matter how much money we make or where we live. Care,
no matter what!
Sunday, April 29th at 2:00pm
Del Lanes in Delmar
4 Bethlehem Ct, Delmar, NY 12054
Hey all, sorry it's been a while since we've had an update. Things, as you can imagine, have been a little nuts around here.
Monday, April 16th 6-8pm
