Roe v Wade campus engagement

I recently attended the 39th Roe v Wade Anniversary celebration, which was held at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando. The Roe v Wade court decision nullified the State of Texas’s criminal abortion laws in regards to its finding that the right to decide whether to have a child is an indispensable right promised by the U.S. Constitution (“Roe v. Wade and the Right to Privacy”par.1). The event I attended was supported by Planned Parenthood, which had a lot of staff from the Orlando clinic present. The event also had students from the UCF college Democrats and NOW. After arriving at the church, I talked with other people that were at the event and signed a poster stating what choice meant to me. Everyone was then ushered to take a seat and listen to the different speakers for the night. Some of the speakers included: Planned Parenthood staff, members of the church, and UCF students. The speakers also consisted of both males and females, young and old. Some of the speakers told personal stories, while others informed the audience about everything that Planned Parenthood has done for women’s health. A common theme I noticed in many speeches was that of, “why choice is important."

In my opinion, being pro-choice isn’t being pro-abortion. Being pro-choice means giving women the right to choose what they want to do with their own bodies. Women shouldn’t have to feel as if they are trapped and have no options. History shows that women will seek abortions whether they are legal or not. Before legalization in 1973, an estimated 200,000 to 1.2 million abortions occurred in the United States yearly with an approximate death rate at between 30 and 40 per 100,000 (Cates and Rochat , Teitze par.3). It is evident that women will seek abortions illegally, thus harming themselves. One of the speakers told a story about how a girl from his high school died because of a botched abortion. Although abortion was a big topic, it was not the only thing discussed at this event. Sue Idtensohn, president of Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando discussed everything they do for women’s health. Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that provides contraception, screening for various cancers, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to name a few.

Many of the speeches made that evening were completely inspiring and accurate. I agree that a woman should have the ability to choose what to do with her body. A woman should not have to resort to illegal and unsafe practices in order to terminate a pregnancy she cannot support or does not want. Planned Parenthood does so much more than just performing abortions. Planned Parenthood informs women about how to take safe sex precautions and provides cheap and affordable health care services.

I am so glad I attended this event and got to hear from these amazing women and men who left me inspired.








Works cited
"Roe v. Wade and the Right to Privacy [part 1 of 4]." Contemporary Women's
Issues. Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2012.
Cates, Rochat, and Teitze. "Policy update on safe legal abortion, 30 years after
Roe v. Wade." Contemporary Women's Issues. Institute for Women's Policy
Research, Oct. 2003. Web. 21 Jan. 2012.