What women want A Pro-Woman Approach to Abortion

Nov 16, 2006

Can you really be a feminist and pro-life? What about in cases of rape? Is it fair to ask a girl to give up her education to have a baby she doesn’t want? What about poor women who lack adequate resources?

These are just some of the questions Serrin Foster, President of Feminists for Life, answers in her new online education effort entitled Pro-Woman Answers to Pro-Choice Questions(TM). Foster, a longtime pro-life feminist, launched this national web campaign on October 5, 2006 with an aim to bring peace to America’s painful, 30-year abortion conflict.

Foster is optimistic that this campaign will bring people back to the discussion table, even those long opposed to open, honest dialogue regarding the abortion issue. She hopes that the campaign will reach “everyday people whose lives have been touched by the topic you can’t bring up in polite conversation as well as those who influence lives every day through their work—such as policymakers, educators, health professionals, and employers. Women—including those who have had abortions—as well as men are welcome at this feminist table.”

Could this charitable initiative be any timelier? Abortion has polarized Americans into two vocal camps: one who shouts about the rights of the mother and the other who shouts in defense for the rights of the child.

We need only consider the recent turn of events in South Dakota for illustration. Earlier this year, the South Dakota state legislature overwhelmingly passed an abortion ban that forbid the procedure, except when saving the life of the pregnant mother. Lawmakers had hoped the ban would provoke litigation that might eventually reverse the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

Well, doesn’t look like that will be happening any time soon…just this week, proabortion political activists celebrated as South Dakotans voiced their concerns and voted to reject the ban because it was apparently too intrusive.

Clearly, conversation needs to take place and this round-table cannot continue to have close-minded members dominate the discussion. We need to adopt the mentality of Serrin Foster: “For years, Feminists for Life has been redirecting the debate by working with those on both sides to address the root causes that drive women to abortion, and by answering the critical questions in the most contentious places—from Capitol Hill to college campuses.”

We, as Catholic women, must also open our minds to grapple with the realities that these women are facing—primarily lack of resources and support. Although this is not always the case, we know that abortion is a strong indicator that we are not meeting the needs of women today. Initiating discussion on the topic can only help open doors for honest communication and offer healing to the many women angered and hurt by the devastations of abortion. Just as Feminists for Life’s motto exhorts: “women deserve better!” And, with a heart softened by compassion, an ear open to understanding, and a will convicted by the truth of Jesus Christ, we can change this culture of death into a thriving culture of life…one woman at a time.

(Column continues below)

To sign up for Serrin Foster’s Pro-Woman Answers to Pro-Choice Questions(TM) E-Course visit http://www.feministsforlife.org/register/PWASubscribe.htm