Part of AUW’s
Protecting Women’s Rights Campaign
and a Working Group of the
Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA)

Mission/Purpose:

• To promote and protect the reproductive rights of women worldwide
• To reframe reproductive choice as a UU religious issue.
• To educate and advocate for Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

Campaign Leadership Team

Jody Beresford represents us on the RCRC Board, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choicespice777@aol.com
612-669-9977

Kathleen Hollinger represents us on the MUUSJA Board, Minnesota Unitarian
Universalist Social Justice Alliance
hollinger_kathleen@hotmail.com
612-701-4643

Faith and Choices Discussion leaders:

- Cathy Apostle caquilt51@aol.com
- Connie Diercks cdiercks@comcast.net
- Sara McMullen mckru@comcast.net
- Ralph Wyman, MUUSJA staff organizer

Please contact one of us if you want to
share your commitment and passion

Key Community Partner Organizations

• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights (RCRC) www.mnrcrc.org
• Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) www.muusja.org

Campaign Goals

• Reflect on and clarify our views on reproductive rights and sexuality education as a religious issue
• Educate UUs, others about reproductive rights: sexuality education as a sacred choice that reflects our UU faith
• Advocate for supportive legislation at the local, state, national, and international levels
• Build and become an effective organizer for social change

2009 - 2010 Accomplishments

• AUW awarded MNRCRC “Faith and Freedom” Award—October 20, 2009  Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker Keynote Speaker
• Intergenerational discussion of film “I had an abortion”—February 19, 2010
• Prochoice Lobby Day—March 4, 2010
• Good Friday Interfaith Service—April 30, 2010
• Rev. Kelli Clement, Prairie Star District Representative and AUW member, becomes Co-Chair of MNRCRC Board
• Ann Lyons becomes AUW delegate to MNRCRC Boar

2008-2009 Goals
Continue partnerships: RCRC, MUUSJA, Integrate
Host events
Outreach
Inform about activism and advocacy
Coalition building with other faith based communities
Esprit de corps, encourage and nurture leadership
Sexuality education advocacy

2008-2009 Accomplishments

*In Her Shoes, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Fundraiser

*Celebrating Choice & Change Election Night House party

*Beth Zemsky training "Organizing in a Movement Moment”

*The Education of Shelby Knox movie night

* Easter Baskets for Clinic workers delivered through RCRC.

*Faith & Choices RCRC curriculum taught at MN Valley UU church, White Bear UU

*Prairie Star District in Duluth April 3-5. Connie Diercks and Cathy Apostle lead workshop on how to run a Faith and Choices discussion group

2007-2008 Accomplishments

• Presented THE TALK: OWL Workshop Youth Day which offered accurate and complete sex information to teen attendees.
• Attended Lobby Day March 4, 2007 
  
• Postcards and phone calls in support of the REAL ACT (Federal Responsible Education About Life and State Comprehensive Sex Education), ultimately vetoed by Governor Pawlenty
• Faith and Choices Discussion Group offered - Fall, 2007
• Faith and Freedom Banquet - Oct.2007
• Roe-V. Wade Event – First Universalist hosted RCRC - January 2008
  
• Abbie McMillan nominated by RCRC, received 2008 youth award at MOAPP Annual Awards

“For All That Is Our Life”
A Sermon for the
March on Washington for Women’s Lives
All Souls Unitarian Church, Washington, D.C.
April 25, 2004
Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker,
President and Professor of Theology
Starr King School for the Ministry
SKSM.edu

2006-2007 Accomplishments
AUW became a governing board member of Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights (RCRC). Raised awareness about reproductive justice and comprehensive sexuality education

• UU Prairie Star District Faith and Choice program
• Guest lectures on abortion and choice in LSFD Youth classes
• Book discussion on “How The Pro-Choice Movement Saved America”
• AUW Sunday Sermon—“Choice Makes Us Human”
• Earth Day Display—Healthy Woman/Healthy Earth (with Eco Minds)
• Film Series—“Danger to Dignity: The Fight for Safe Abortion” and
• ”Abstinence Comes to Albuquerque”
• MUUSJA panel presentation on reproductive rights

AUW offered opportunities for UU women to reflect on choice as a religious value

• Fall and Spring Sessions of Faith and Choice program
• Theological Reflection on reproductive rights with UUA Clara Barton Intern Meredith Schonfeld-Hicks.

AUW advocated for comprehensive sexuality education and choice

• Sent mailings to MN UU Churches about candidate positions on reproductive rights.
• Sent 1 UU youth, 1 young adult and advisor to Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) in Washington, D.C. Collaborated with MN United Church of Christ (UCC) Delegates.
• UU youth and advisors advocated for comprehensive sex. education with legislators in Washington, DC.
• Organized “Ironing Board” mailings and phone calls.
• Participated in MN Lobby Day at the State Legislature. Youth, Abbie McMillan, was rally speaker.

AUW strengthened ties with our national and local community partners:

• Clara Barton Intern Support Team
• Participated in activities of pro-choice allies ---e.g., Planned Parenthood Inter-Faith Breakfast, NARAL Roe v. Wade anniversary, MN Women’s Campaign Fund Luncheon.
• AUW encouraged intergenerational connection/awareness of choice/comprehensive sexuality education
• Organized intergenerational discussion of film ”Abstinence Comes to Albuquerque.”
• Recognized RR activist/ Clara Barton Sisterhood Honoree Phyllis Fairman at the AUW Tea.
• Promoted SEAT, honored Coming of Age Youth as part of AUW Mother-Daughter Banquet.
• Encouraged youth involvement in AUW—hired Boston bound youth for M/D Banquet, involved 7th graders in making cards for COA Youth, donated food for Unity Summer youth to sell on Mother’s Day.

Reframing the Abortion Debate

–A Note from the Executive Director of RCRC Kiely Todd Roska:

On describing the protest at Planned Parenthood on Good Friday 2007.
“To witnesses driving by, the protest was clearly divided into a secular pro-choice side and a religious anti-abortion side… Unfortunately, the story that was reported was of secular pro-choicers vs. religious pro-lifers.  As I watched the news coverage that evening, I kept wishing that they had interviewed some of the religious pro-choice people who were there that day, so that we could have shared our stories of commitment to women as moral decision-makers and our commitment to religious freedom...”

“We should be having conversations in our religious communities. Our silence will not help us protect women’s reproductive rights.
I challenge you to claim your religious pro-choice voice and start the conversation.”

Summer 2007 Voice for Choice Newsletter from the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice