2008 Woodie Awards
Seniors tackle abortion
Janessa Ensinger - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Metro
Unplanned pregnancy. Abortion rights. No, you didn't miss another highly publicized political debate between the Democrats and Republicans.
This discussion involved Iowa City senior citizens at the Senior Center on Thursday.
The center is running a series of classes called "Embracing Tolerance and Diversity" that examines controversial issues. The goal is to expose seniors to ideas, tolerance, and understanding that they may not have known, said Marion Johnson, one of the program's leaders.
Representatives from Birth Right and the Emma Goldman Clinic were at the class to share with the group of around 25 their views on unplanned pregnancy.
Birth Right volunteer Nancy Kaiser explained the philosophy of her group is to help mothers and babies have their rights met.
Kaiser also told the group about state programs available to an expecting mother and programs that could assist after the child is born.
"I think there are a lot of women who think they can't afford it," she said. "Sometimes [having a baby] is a blessing."
Questions from the seniors ranged anywhere from the Bush administration's influence on abortion rights to the morning after pill, also called emergency contraception.
Karen Kubby, the executive director at the Emma Goldman Clinic, told the group about three options women have when they face an unplanned pregnancy: birth, adoption, and abortion. She said the clinic offers abortion services as well as counseling for women facing tough decisions.
"I think there is some stigma around all the options," she said.
Kubby addressed some information she felt was false about abortions. There is no link between breast cancer and abortions, and no one has proved a link between fetal pain and abortions, she said.
The average age of women getting abortions at the Emma Goldman clinic is 19-24 years old, she said.
Some seniors remembered a time when the UI had an abortion clinic on campus. They questioned why the university abandoned the clinic in the 1980s.
"Out of fear and lack of courage," Kubby said.
She did note that procedures at the clinic are usually done by doctors who work at the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
Mary Gravitt, a Senior Center member, said she comes to the classes because they are interesting and challenge the way she and others may think about certain issues.
"I still feel conflicted, but women have the right to choose," she said. "I have faith in the future."
E-mail DI reporter Janessa Ensinger at:
janessa-ensinger@uiowa.edu
This discussion involved Iowa City senior citizens at the Senior Center on Thursday.
The center is running a series of classes called "Embracing Tolerance and Diversity" that examines controversial issues. The goal is to expose seniors to ideas, tolerance, and understanding that they may not have known, said Marion Johnson, one of the program's leaders.
Representatives from Birth Right and the Emma Goldman Clinic were at the class to share with the group of around 25 their views on unplanned pregnancy.
Birth Right volunteer Nancy Kaiser explained the philosophy of her group is to help mothers and babies have their rights met.
Kaiser also told the group about state programs available to an expecting mother and programs that could assist after the child is born.
"I think there are a lot of women who think they can't afford it," she said. "Sometimes [having a baby] is a blessing."
Questions from the seniors ranged anywhere from the Bush administration's influence on abortion rights to the morning after pill, also called emergency contraception.
Karen Kubby, the executive director at the Emma Goldman Clinic, told the group about three options women have when they face an unplanned pregnancy: birth, adoption, and abortion. She said the clinic offers abortion services as well as counseling for women facing tough decisions.
"I think there is some stigma around all the options," she said.
Kubby addressed some information she felt was false about abortions. There is no link between breast cancer and abortions, and no one has proved a link between fetal pain and abortions, she said.
The average age of women getting abortions at the Emma Goldman clinic is 19-24 years old, she said.
Some seniors remembered a time when the UI had an abortion clinic on campus. They questioned why the university abandoned the clinic in the 1980s.
"Out of fear and lack of courage," Kubby said.
She did note that procedures at the clinic are usually done by doctors who work at the UI Hospitals and Clinics.
Mary Gravitt, a Senior Center member, said she comes to the classes because they are interesting and challenge the way she and others may think about certain issues.
"I still feel conflicted, but women have the right to choose," she said. "I have faith in the future."
E-mail DI reporter Janessa Ensinger at:
janessa-ensinger@uiowa.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
EJ
posted 2/08/08 @ 11:38 AM CST
If Nancy Kaiser wants to help out by making sure "babies have their rights met" maybe she could start by not killing them? Just a thought....
Carrie
posted 2/08/08 @ 10:14 PM CST
Nancy Kaiser was the representative from Birth Right and she was pro life... think before you make ignorant comments..
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