Human Rights Commission
I was honored to be awarded the Linda Severson Service Award by the City of Iowa City, Human Rights Comission in November 2022.
This award was established in 1984 in an effort to recognize outstanding contributions to human rights by an individual in a service organization. In 2011, it was renamed the Linda Severson Award in recognition of Linda’s exemplary lifelong service to the community. For those interested, here is my acceptance speech.
I am really honored to receive this award and to be counted with these other incredible nominees. I want to thank my friend Kathryn Edel for nominating me. I appreciate you.
For 35 years, I have been privileged to be a part of the Emma Goldman Clinic, an organization that has never wavered in it’s commitment to this community and to the provision of safe and accessible reproductive Healthcare to people in the Midwest and especially to those marginalized and undeserved.
It has not been easy.
Most years have been spent fighting some form of adversity. Whether it was antis, legislation, vandalism, bureaucratic challenges or just being a cash strapped not for profit.
I am so proud that the clinic will celebrate its 50th year in 2023.
I am proud of staying in the fight.
Reproductive rights are human rights, including the right to access abortion. States do have an obligation and duty to provide women and girls, all pregnant people – with access to safe and legal abortion as part of their core human rights responsibilities.
We know that abortion bans and restrictions are harmful and inhumane. They will be most felt by those who are poor and rural and black and brown and unable to travel outside of a jurisdiction where abortion is banned or restricted.
This is not the Iowa I remember growing up in. My family has been here for 6 generations- now 8 and I am disgusted at the place we have landed in regards to reproductive justice and rights.
This Friday, in Des Moines, once again, there will be a hearing convened by our governor to make decisions that should be left up to individuals and their families.
I never expected that after 35 years of service, my 3 granddaughters would have less rights than I had in the last 50 years. I just won’t settle for my work and that of my reproductive justice colleagues being in vain. We all want to leave this world a better place for those who come after us. We have an incredibly long and hard fight ahead of us.
Comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion, are necessary to guarantee the right to life, health, privacy, and non-discrimination for all people. Access to safe abortion and contraception is critical so that my granddaughters and yours have options and don’t have to face delayed dreams and deferred destinies.
And while these extremists are trying to undermine our human rights, because we know abortion is only the gateway…..we also know that the movement to support and liberate abortion is incredibly strong. Thank you for this award and recognition and thank you for voting.
To see a list of previous awardees, click the link.
Earthen Sojourner 