Posted on 09/18/2002 4:31:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Washington, DC -- Feminists for Life of America launched a nationwide ad campaign to reach women at highest risk of abortion, announced FFL President Serrin Foster. "By the end of this year, four million students at top campuses across the country will hear our pro-woman message: Refuse to Choose.(sm) Women Deserve Better.(sm)"
"One out of five women who has an abortion is a college student -- and the abortion industry knows it. They target vulnerable women who have been abandoned by those they count on the most," said Foster. "We are here to tell them that they are not alone, and there are perfect strangers who will help them and provide unconditional love and support."
Foster is inviting pregnancy care centers across the country to take their Health Clinic Kits directly to the campus clinic. "We know abortion clinic staff markets directly to the clinic on campus. They need to know that nonprofit pregnancy care centers can give women the rest of the choices."
Not only has FFL focused on those at highest risk, but much of the campaign will strategically target students in states with the highest rates of abortion -- California, Texas, New York, Florida and Rhode Island.
The Feminist Majority has targeted Feminists for Life with their "Know the opposition" collegiate campaign. "I hope they do just that. Lots of young women who have never known a day without legalized abortion reconsider it once they see our website or attend a lecture," said Foster.
Planned Parenthood of America's Insider newsletter predicted that FFL's College Outreach Program "could have a profound impact" on college campuses "as well as Planned Parenthood's public education and advocacy efforts."
According to a 1997 Gallup Poll, when women enter college, almost half of them are pro-life. Yet by the time they graduate, nearly three-quarters of college women are pro-choice.
What changes their minds? Students report that by the time the women of this year's senior class graduate they have witnessed pregnant classmates forced to leave schools that do not provide housing for pregnant students, they have cried with their best friends after an abortion, and they have seen parenting students struggle to find childcare so they can attend classes. "We are here to change all that," says Foster.
Foster's lecture, the "Feminist Case Against Abortion" has been receiving rave reviews from students. At her last lecture at the University of San Diego, the front page story in the Vista quoted students who called FFL's message "amazing," "powerful" and "mind blowing." One student told the paper that she "came pro-choice and defensive" but left thinking she may be pro- life.
Foster's speech has also been recognized as one of the 22 "Great Speeches in History" on "Women's Rights." (Edited by Jennifer Hurley, it is one in a series published by Greenhaven Press.)
FFL's College Outreach Program has demonstrated its power to reach college women and men with a message of hope and empowerment and its capacity to be a catalyst for long-term changes on college campuses and beyond.
"Today's students are tomorrow's judges, columnists, reporters, legislators, parents, teachers, activists and voters," said Foster. "It is essential that we reach them now. Planned Parenthood knows it. The Feminist Majority knows it. The good thing is that we know it too, and are taking steps to challenge the status quo. We are taking our bodies back."
Now I've seen everything. Bravo!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.