January, 22 2013, 08:42am EDT
NOW to Honor 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade with Vigil at Supreme Court
WASHINGTON
NOW President Terry O'Neill will lead a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, Jan. 22, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized women's fundamental right to abortion.
"NOW affirms that women's access to the full range of reproductive health services -- including safe, legal and affordable abortion care and birth control -- is integral to women's ability to participate equally in our society," said O'Neill. "Roe v. Wade has helped improve women's status in the U.S. and saved countless women's lives."
What: 40th Anniversary Roe v. Wade Candlelight Vigil
Who: Terry O'Neill, president, National Organization for Women; Ellie Smeal, president, Feminist Majority Foundation; Kimberly Inez McGurie, senior policy analyst, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health; Allison Stouffer, vice president, DC NOW
When: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Where: U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.
"For the last two years, abortion and birth control have been under increased attack at both the state and federal level," said O'Neill. "In the face of these attacks, U.S. voters re-elected President Obama, who has worked to defend and advance women's access to reproductive health care services. Coming one day after the president's inauguration, I predict a high level of energy and optimism outside the Supreme Court on Jan. 22."
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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