Today, a national anti-choice campaign put up the first of 30 billboards that will appear in predominantly African American neighborhoods in Chicago. The billboard features a photo of President Barack Obama and says, "Every 21 minutes, our next possible leader is aborted."
In response, this morning two reproductive justice organizations led by women of color--the Chicago Abortion Fund and Black Women for Reproductive Justice--released statements condemning the campaign. Chicago Foundation for Women funds and supports both organizations.
Toni M. Bond Leonard, president/CEO of Black Women for Reproductive Justice (BWRJ), says, "We will not be silent victims in this assault upon our reproductive and racial integrity. Their placement of these billboards in the Black community only further highlights their lack of competency around the reproductive health disparities that Black women and girls face and these groups' unwillingness to deal with the social and economic disparities of the entire Black community."
Gaylon Alcaraz, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, says, "We will not be moved by this anti-choice attempt to hijack our communities. Only we, women of color, can speak for our communities. Only we, women of color, know what is best for our families."
For full statements and more information, please contact the organizations directly or visit their websites at www.bwrj.org and www.chicagoabortionfund.com .
Chicago Foundation for Women raises money to fund and support organizations that help women and girls--it's all about making smarter connections between need, money and solutions. We believe that when women and girls are secure, whole communities are made better. We are a community of people who share the excitement of giving to help women and girls thrive. We improve the lives of women and girls through grants, advocacy, leadership development, and public and grantee education. Since 1985, we have given more than 2,800 grants totaling more than $18 million and helped thousands of women and girls become philanthropists. www.cfw.org