Time to Act: When Politics Trumps Women's Health We Must Respond

Thank you for your past interest in Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York.

Our hard and effective work to educate state legislators about critical issues effecting the health of women, teens and families has been rendered irrelevant as political maneuvering and legal challenges absorb the time and attention of our elected officials.

It has seldom been more clear how important it is to build a strong local Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York chapter--to raise the funds and recruit the activists necessary to help elect pro-choice leaders of both parties, and to build the influence necessary to prevent our issues from being sidelined by political games.

Please take action today. New York is a pro-choice state. Let's ensure that our elected officials truly reflect that reality. Please complete the attached petition to send us your financial pledge and/or your commitment to work with us to build a strong local chapter and a stronger statewide electoral organization.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: I Want to Help Strengthen PPANY,Upper Hudson

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am tired of politics trumping the health needs of New York women and families. Iwant to help build the strength and power of the Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, Upper Hudson chapter and help elect more people who support family planning, comprehensive sex education and reproductive choice.

__ I am interested in attending monthly planning meetings.

__ I am interested in volunteering for special projects (GOTV tabling, canvassing, phone banks, meeting with candidates, etc.) Please contact me.

__ I pledge to contribute $____ to support the work of PPANY-UH (A $10 minimum is required for membership; although larger contributions are welcome and needed. (A pledge envelope will be mailed to you).

Name: _______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________

Email Address: ______________________

If you have questions about this request or pledge, please contact Blue Carreker at 434-5678 x 133 or blue@uhpp.org. Thank you for your support.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
June 10, 2009

Background Information

Prior to the Senate leadership coup, law makers were moving forward a bill that would have reformed seriously outdated state abortion laws and ensured access to reproductive choice for our daughters and grandaughters; they were also considering bills to improve access to comprehensive sex education in our schools and to improve access to interpreter services for immigrant women. But all of that is now on hold!

What about the reproductive health care needs of New York citizens? What about the other progressive issues that were on the agenda in what was to be a new and forward looking Senate?

The 2010 elections will be critical. Key supporters in Congress including Gillibrand, Tonko and Murphy will probably face well-funded opposition. Those who win election will be responsible for deciding the new boundaries of electoral districts. At the state level, party committees will be tempted to focus only on counting seats.

Unless we are ready in 2010 with good lists, willing volunteers and significant financial backing, a candidate's stand on family planning, sex education and reproductive health will not be considered.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York State is the voluntary, non-partisan political arm for 13 Planned Parenthood affiliates in New York State. In order to protect and advance the rights of women and families in New York State, PPANY strives to be a vital, statewide organization with the necessary resources to ensure that a strong majority of all New York state and federal officials are pro-choice. PPANY works closely with the national Planned Parenthood Action Fund and with similar groups in New York State. For more information about PPANY, visit www.ppany.org

The Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, Upper Hudson is organized to support the goals of PPANY in the Capital Region. Our immediate goals are to recruit a strong and broad membership, raise funds, educate voters and influence candidates in order to make reproductive rights a critical issue in the 2010 elections.