For Immediate Release:
414-213-3717 (cell)
Voices of
Strength Ring Throughout Capitol During Women’s
Health Day
Students, Activists and Health Care
Professionals Rally, Call on Legislators to Support Access to Basic Health Care
Madison, WI- Close to 200 people who support women’s access
to reproductive health care will be marching to the State Capitol today to meet
with their legislators, urging them to support the Compassionate Care for
Rape Victims Bill (LRB 1387/3) introduced by Senate Majority Leader
Judy Robson on Tuesday, and family planning funding set forth in Governor Jim
Doyle’s budget.
The Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill would require
Today’s lobby effort is a part of Planned Parenthood
Advocates of Wisconsin’s Women’s Health Day of Action, In addition
to hosting workshops designed to help concerned citizens do their part to
support women’s access to basic health care, PPAWI presented a number of
awards, including:
The Voice for Choice Award, which was presented to Senator Judy
Robson for her leadership in the State Senate on women’s health care
issues and her support for the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill. Robson, a
registered nurse, has been a tireless women’s health care advocate,
supporting policies that make
Champions for Women’s Health- Two
dedicated groups of activists, the Chippewa Valley Citizens
for Women’s Health and the Citizens for Women’s Health of Winnebago
County, received the prestigious “Champions for Women’s
Health” award. Over
the past year, the groups enjoyed a number of successes, including producing a
half-hour television show about the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill
for public television in
“Whether
you are a senator or a private citizen, you have the power to make a
difference,” said PPAWI Public Policy Director Chris Taylor.
“During a time when the public is clamoring for increased access to
quality and affordable health care, many lawmakers have been working to limit
women’s access to basic, yet critical health care services. Thanks to
these dedicated citizen activists, efforts to limit women’s health care
access have failed and instead we are making progress in advancing proactive
measures to improve health care.”
Today's not the last chance to stand up for women’s health. Anyone
who's interested in becoming an activist should log onto www.PPAWI.org.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of