Today marks the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, and Planned Parenthood is celebrating with music, dance and Secretary of State Kate Brown.
The festivities will begin tonight at 6:30 p.m.in the Vet’s Club Ballroom, located at 1626 Willamette St. The event will feature performances by musical duo Phoebe Blume and Dave Rand, as well as World Fusion Dance.
“We will be gathering our supporters to reflect and celebrate because it’s a new day for women’s health,” said Rose Kelsch, Planned Parenthood public affairs field director.
Roe v. Wade Celebrations
| TODAY What: Planned Parenthood hosts Secretary of State Kate Brown When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Vet’s Club Ballroom, 1626 Willamette St. Cost: $5 to $15 suggested donation What: Students for Choice and NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon host a bring-your-own-lunch with Mayor Kitty Piercy When: 1 p.m. Where: Century Room A Cost: Free FRIDAY What: Crisis Pregnancy Center protest When: 2:30 p.m. Where: EMU Amphitheatre Cost: Free What: Roe v. Wade concert featuring Bad Mitten Orchestra and Samba Ja When: 9 p.m. Where: Lorax Manner, 1648 Alder St. Cost: $5 suggested donation |
After the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, event organizers feel this is a particularly exciting time for reproductive rights supporters.
“For people who care about this issue and for Planned Parenthood, the last eight years have been challenging,” said Kellie DeVore, Planned Parenthood vice president of public affairs. “The Bush administration really used every means possible to attack not just reproductive rights, but also sex education and birth control. We’re really excited that we’ve made it through and it’s time for a change,”
Brown, the keynote speaker for the event, is expected to look toward the future, and address the importance of Roe v. Wade and the need for continuing promotion of women’s reproductive rights.
“She will speak about reproductive rights and what further issues need to be looked at, even in what’s becoming a friendlier political climate,” said Don Hamilton, chief of communications for the Office of the Secretary of State.
Brown has a long history in Oregon as a champion of women’s reproductive rights.
“She’s been working on these issues really since the very beginning of her career as an attorney in Portland in the late ’80s,” Hamilton said.
In 1995, Brown received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Oregon Commission for Women, honoring women in Oregon who strive to promote equality for women and serve as exemplary role models and leaders in their areas of expertise.
“Kate has been one of the foremost leaders in promoting and protecting reproductive rights in Oregon for the last 20 years,” said DeVore.
Roe v. Wade made history in 1973 when a 7-2 Supreme Court decision legalized abortion in the United States. Planned Parenthood hosts an event every year to pull the community together and honor the significance of the date.
“For us at Planned Parenthood, the significance of the anniversary is that, prior to the Roe v. Wade decision, women’s lives and health were put at risk and it resulted in a situation where women were not able to fully participate in society,” DeVore said. “It’s about looking back and saying we’ll never have to go through that again, and looking forward to when these very private issues and decisions will not be public discussion and we can work together to make sure individuals have the information and resources they need to make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive health.”
Event organizers expect around 250 people to attend the celebration. A no-host bar will be available and Planned Parenthood is asking for a suggested donation of $5 to $15 at the door.
[email protected]
