North Dakota Planned Parenthood Advocate

Judge Strikes Down North Dakota Abortion Law

The following is a statement from Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota President and CEO Sarah Stoesz on today’s ruling by a federal judge which struck down a North Dakota abortion ban.

“Today, a federal judge struck down a North Dakota law that would ban safe and legal abortion as early as 6 weeks — before a woman may even know she is pregnant.  This ban was part of a sweeping package of bills from the 2013 legislative session aimed at making abortion inaccessible in the state.”

“We congratulate the Red River Women’s Clinic and the Center for Reproductive Rights on this legal victory for the women of North Dakota."

“This should send a clear message to politicians in North Dakota.  Ultimately, decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy or raise a child must be left to a woman, her family and her faith in consultation with her doctor – not to politicians.  These are deeply personal and often complex decisions for women and their families. Government has no place intruding on these decisions.”

 

Are You 'Ready to Run'?

Cross Posting from the North Dakota Women's Network

Women, half of North Dakota’s population, hold only 17 percent of North Dakota’s legislative seats and less than 10 percent of county commission seats. And startlingly few of those who have won office are women of color, despite the state’s increasing diversity. North Dakota ranks 41^st nationally in the percentage of women in state legislature.

In an effort to increase women’s representation, the North Dakota Women’s Network (NDWN) is hosting a training to encourage women’s political participation. To help prepare women to seek office or serve as campaign staff, the NDWN will host a multi-partisan campaign training, Ready to Run™, on Wednesday, March 19th on the NDSU campus in the McGovern Alumni Center. Potential candidates will hear directly from prominent political leaders, and campaign consultants about how to get ready to run.

Ready to Run™ is co-sponsored by the NDSU Political Science and Women's Studies Departments the Upper Midwest Regional Center of Public Policy.

The Ready to Run North Dakota training is open to any woman in the state with an interest, curiosity or ambition to seek a leadership position in public office. The cost to attend is $30. Online registration is available at www.ndwomen.org. For more information on Ready to Run™, contact Renee Stromme at 701-226-1116 or renee@ndwomen.org

 

FC2 – The NEW Female Condom

By: Katie, Certified Female Condom 2 Educator

Did you know that the female condom is NEW and IMPROVED? Those of us who have heard about the female condom in the past probably thought of it as that “other” barrier method, the one that looks odd and probably isn’t used much. Well, we’ve got news for you. The new female condom, FC2, has been redesigned and is totally worth checking out! Here’s why….

More time! – Unlike the male condom the FC2 can be put in place before sexual activity even begins and can remain in the vagina after intercourse…..leaving more time for intimacy before and after sex.

Even more protection! – The outer ring of FC2 covers more of the vulva area and base of the penis than a male condom. This means even more protection than a male condom!

More pleasure! – The outer ring of FC2 has been known to intensify pleasure during sexual activity. Enough said.

Latex-free – The first female condom was made out of polyurethane. Many users complained that it caused a rustling, noisy sound during intercourse (not sexy). FC2 is now made out of nitrile, the same product as medical gloves. FC2 is still latex-free, and now quiet (sexy).

More heat! –Remember how we said that FC2 is made out of nitrile? Well, it turns out that nitrile conducts heat, and more heat means more natural and enjoyable sex.

Have I convinced you to try it out?

Just like male condoms, FC2 is only effective if you use it properly every time you have sex. And, just like male condoms, FC2 is a barrier method that protects you from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Safe = sexy!

If you’d like to learn more about the new features of FC2 or how to use one properly, check out this website. Our Fargo office will be receiving a shipment of FC2 soon. Stop by to get a free one (or two or three) if you’d like!

Give a Girl her Wings…Help Girls of Kenya so every day can be a school day

Posting on behalf of the Faraja Family Resource Project: Panties and Pads.
By: Molly Secor-Turner, PhD, RN

‘Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an important public health issue for adolescent girls worldwide. Menstruation is associated with stigma and marginalization for millions of girls, especially among girls living in low-income countries, such as Sub Saharan Africa. The inability to adequately address the MHM needs of adolescent girls in Kenya results in 850,000 girls missing 6 weeks of school every year. Interventions that address the MHM needs of adolescent girls have the potential to empower girls to achieve their full potential. In addition, they create important opportunities to provide other health promotion information related to sexual and reproductive health.

Although the Kenyan government and other nongovernmental organizations have increased efforts to address the menstrual hygiene needs of girls in Kenya, these efforts rarely reach the most remote, rural areas of the country.

In partnership with the Faraja Family Resource Center located in Chogoria, Kenya, faculty and nursing students at North Dakota State University have implemented community-based programming and outreach to girls in remote areas of Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya to provide education regarding puberty, menstruation, hygiene and sexual health. In addition, nursing students have worked with student-led organizations and community supporters to collect girls’ panties and make washable, reusable sanitary pads.’

Be a part of this amazing project at the ‘Pints and Pads’ event in Fargo on Thursday, February 27^th. 

Roe at Risk Film Screening

The 2013 documentary Roe at Risk exposes the disturbing reality that, 40 years after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade, women across the country are seeing their reproductive rights slip away. Panelists will examine the effects and long-range implications on comprehensive health care for more and more patients. Discussion will focus on these widespread attacks on reproductive rights, the legislative and legal contexts in which the battle is being waged, and how the public can engage in the protection of women’s reproductive healthcare.

Thursday, February 27
2:30pm-4:00pm
Campus of NDSU
Memorial Union Century Theatre
Fargo, ND

Documentary: Roe at Risk: Fighting for Reproductive Justice (2013, 16 minutes, CC)

Moderator : Amber Kracht, Senior Nursing Student

Panelists: Senator Carolyn Nelson (D-ND 21st District)

                    Representative Nancy Johnson (R-ND 37th District), 

                    Stephanie Dahl, M.D., FACOG,

                     Amy Jacobson, North Dakota Public Affairs Manager, Planned Parenthood MN,ND,SD

                    Tammi Kromenaker, Director, Red River Women’s Clinic

                    Renee Stromme, Executive Director, ND Women’s Network

Born After Roe: The Millennial Movement

For 41 years, access to safe and legal abortion has been the law of the land. Just like generations before them, the majority of young Americans oppose efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade. In fact, Six in ten Millennials believe abortion should be available in all or most cases, similar to other generations, but Millennials are more likely to support access in their own community: 68 percent believe abortion should be available in their community, compared to 60 percent of boomers and 42 percent of seniors.

Young people across the country are rising up to say “enough is enough” to the unprecedented attacks on women’s access to safe and legal abortion.  In the past three years more than 160 restrictions on abortion access have become law in 30 states — and more than 40 of these new restrictions have passed this year alone. The result: More than half of American women of reproductive age now live in states where access to abortion is being restricted by their state legislatures- including North Dakota.

Join Representative Joshua Boschee, Dina Baird, and the leaders of ‘We will Remember your Vote’ for a gathering of young, like-minded supporters of Planned Parenthood and reproductive justice. Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to the organization or  new to North Dakota, this is a great place to learn more about the attacks on women's health that have been sweeping this state. RSVP

Born After Roe is a social for mingling and movement building. We look forward to seeing you there!

Friday, January 24^th
The Toasted Frog- Bismarck, ND
7:00 pm
Born After Roe event are free and open to any Planned Parenthood supporter
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar
RSVP today!

Progress on the Prairie!

Snow? What snow? Cold? What cold?  Ok, ok, we can't deny both of those things now blanket and envelop this northern plains state.  We also can't deny what a fabulous annual event we had on Tuesday December 3^rd: Progress on the Prairie (the event and in general) cannot be stopped it seems.

Thank you to all who joined us at the Radisson in Fargo- what a wonderful evening filled with moving speeches and awards given to amazing community members!

We were happy to honor the Stand Up for Women founders, Robin Nelson, Jen Hoy, and Crystal Aakre- these women were responsible for developing a social media site that reached across the state in support of reproductive rights in ND. Congratulations to you Jen, Crystal, and Robin in receiving the well deserved Woman on the Move Award!

We were thrilled to present Dr. Tom Stone Carlson with the Exemplary Leadership Award.  Dr. Carlson is enormously dedicated to his community and the well-being of all North Dakotans, which shown amply through during the 2013 legislative session. Dr. Carlson stepped forward as a champion in defending the Reach One Teach One program, when the partnership between Planned Parenthood and NDSU came under fire from Representative Grande and other legislators. Thank you for standing with us and congratulations Dr. Carlson!

Sarah Stoesz, our affiliate President & CEO (PPMNS) was the featured speaker and offered her support and encouragement in the coming year in ND.  She pumped us up:  we know there's much work ahead of us to be done!

Thanks to Dr. Molly Secor Turner, our North Dakota Advisory Committee Chairwoman, who emceed the event, and to our North Dakota Advisory Committee Members: 
Jane Ahlin, Cheryl Bergian, Alison Brennan, Alice Hauan, Von King, Michael Lindemann, Tammi Kromenaker and Dina Zavala Petherbridge.

A special thank you to our host committee:
Alice Hauan, Rep. Ben Hanson, Harry &Kathy Hawken, Jenny Martin, Rep. Gail Mooney, Jean Thomson & John Sandbo, Gary & Sharon Secor, Ryan & Molly Secor-Turner, Ranelle Turman, and Katrina Turman Lang.

Freezin' for a Reason

A good old fashion prairie winter storm can’t even stop us!

Progress on the Prairie, a special event honoring leaders of North Dakota’s past, present, and future, WILL take place no matter what. Come snow, sleet or, shivering gusts.

Tuesday, December 3^rd
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Radisson Hotel
201 5^th Street North in Fargo

Warm up with complimentary appetizers, beverages, & cash bar.

So throw on that parka, scrape off the windshield and join us at the Radisson downtown Fargo! 

Celebrate With Us!

 

Join Planned Parenthood for a special event honoring leaders of North Dakota’s past, present, and future.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013 
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Radisson Hotel 
201 5th Street NorthFargo, ND

Enjoy complimentary appetizers, beverages, & cash bar

Exemplary Leadership Award Winner
Dr. Tom Stone Carlson

Woman on the Move Award Winners
Robin Nelson, Jen Hoy, Crystal Aakre

Featured Speaker
Sarah Stoesz, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Thank you to our host committee: 
Alice Hauan
Representative Ben Hanson
Harry & Kathy Hawken
Jenny Martin
Representative Gail Mooney
Jean Thomson & John Sandbo
Gary & Sharon Secor
Ryan & Molly Secor-Turner
Ranelle Turman
Katrina Turman Lang

RSVP HERE
Questions? Contact Amy Jacobson at ajacobson@ppmns.org or (701) 526-0726

Click here to make a donation to this event. All gifts will support our work in North Dakota. Thank you!

 

Lending a Hand to 'Respect Women Albuquerque'

Last night we held our first phonebank of the season to help out our friends in Albuquerque. 

Next week on November 19^th, the city of Albuquerque will vote on a deceptive measure for a 20 week abortion ban.

When we make a call for volunteers, boy do we have amazing people come out!  Thanks to all who joined! We called for about an hour and a half last night, with a handful of volunteers in the Fargo office and two callers joining us from afar and making calls from home.  Nationwide there were some amazing numbers with 151 people on the phones- 7,360 calls being made, 1,310 conversations being had, with the majority of those: 862 folks being against the measure!   If you weren’t able to make it, we’ll be sure to keep you posted on upcoming opportunities, and, as always we thank you for your continued support!

We were excited to support Respect ABQ Women through our calls.  Respect ABQ Women is a diverse group of nonprofits, community groups, women’s organizations, and individuals dedicated to protecting women’s ability to make private medical decisions with her doctor.  Supporting organizations that teamed up include: the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the League of Women Voters of NM, NM Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and many others.  For more info about the measure and campaign you can visit www.respectabqwomen.org or ‘like’ their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/respectABQwomen.  You can also call 505-510-1399.

We’ll be hoping citizens of Albuquerque vote to respect and trust women’s decisions next week.  We were honored to stand in solidarity and do what we can from afar.