Hi everyone - I want to share this exciting report from AAP! See below.
wma
A letter from the Executive Director and Board President
The past three years have brought reminders that abortion must be approached with openness, compassion and, often, with bravery. As AAP's work has expanded into more hostile and persistently underserved places - conservative Southern and Midwestern states, rural communities across the U.S. - we have grappled with the challenges of engaging people around the issue of abortion. Many of our programs now work explicitly in communities where there is a history of entrenched opposition to abortion, a culture of pervasive stigma and silence, and a troubled history with and subsequent distrust of "outsiders", particularly concerning public health.
As an organization, we are honing our ability to partner with these communities by approaching them with the same commitment, openness, and compassion we extend to women seeking abortion - and by honoring the bravery that our organizers, organizational partners, and women themselves exercise regularly. Our collective work is needed. Gains we experienced in 2008-2010 such as the expanded availability of early, medication abortion are offset by losses, some of which have come at a heavy cost. We lost Dr. Tiller. With health care reform and the persistence of the Hyde Amendment, we lost the opportunity to provide crucial supports for poor women. Independent clinics have closed or are facing the threat of closure, leaving women in those communities with diminished choices and drawing down on the diverse types of providers - private practices, clinics, hospitals - that a strong system of care needs.
As an organization, we are honing our ability to partner with these communities by approaching them with the same commitment, openness, and compassion we extend to women seeking abortion - and by honoring the bravery that our organizers, organizational partners, and women themselves exercise regularly. Our collective work is needed. Gains we experienced in 2008-2010 such as the expanded availability of early, medication abortion are offset by losses, some of which have come at a heavy cost. We lost Dr. Tiller. With health care reform and the persistence of the Hyde Amendment, we lost the opportunity to provide crucial supports for poor women. Independent clinics have closed or are facing the threat of closure, leaving women in those communities with diminished choices and drawing down on the diverse types of providers - private practices, clinics, hospitals - that a strong system of care needs.
Expanding access to safe abortion care is the work we have to do. And this is AAP's moment to do it. We have more resources than ever. We have a team of successful organizers and collaborative partners who bring innovation, experience and credibility. New, on-the-ground alliances are being formed where there are resources, interest and support. Capacity is being built in difficult places. We have established a significant presence for abortion-related work in some of the most politically and culturally hostile environments. As we take this moment to look back, we are awed and appreciative of the work of many, and poised to build on our shared successes and face the challenges ahead.
Please click here to view our 2008-2010 organizational report. As always, we welcome your feedback. Thank you for your support and collaboration and we look forward to continuing to share our success with you.
Melanie Zurek, Executive Director
Janet Singer, Chair of the AAP Board
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