AN OPEN LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
An Open Letter to the United States Congress:
Founded in 1977, The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. is a national organization with a mission of educating and protecting the rights of African American women and their families, and represents more than 3 million women.
This Open Letter is being sent in support of women throughout the United States and the World. We understand the importance of recognizing the “person-hood” of women and their complete dominion over their bodies, including matters of pregnancy and reproductive health.
The statement from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg expresses our feelings about the recent direction taken by states that could lead to revisiting the longstanding Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision regarding women and their reproductive rights. She stated: “The decision of whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman’s life, well-being, and dignity. When the government makes that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a full adult human responsible for her own choices.” Ruth Bader Ginsberg (2019).
The recent decision by Alabama lawmakers to make those who participate in performing an abortion guilty of a felony punishable with up to 99 years in prison portends a violation of civil and human rights.
OTHER NEWS
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
According to The American Cancer Society, “Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test for screening. But the death rate has not changed much over the last 15 years.” And several studies show that a disproportionate number of women that die each year from cervical cancer are Black women.
The American Cancer Society also stresses the importance of regular screening for the disease, emphasizing that, “Screening tests offer the best chance to have cervical cancer found early when successful treatment is likely.
I AM THE CHANGE FORUMS
The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. is taking its “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” town hall on the road! Introduced with support from AARP at its 41st Annual Symposium in September 2018, the forum encourages participants to consider where they are and want to be from a financial, educational and health perspective, and to be a catalyst for change for themselves, their families, and communities.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION, INC.
If you are looking for the Top Ladies of Distinction, go into Black communities. You’ll find them planting fruit and vegetable gardens, tidying up historic cemeteries, and removing graffiti. They will be mentoring local teens, hosting workshops and seminars that prepare them for future success, and teaching youth the importance of giving back. They will be providing companionship, conversation and valuable information to the elderly. They will be improving the quality of life in neighborhoods across the United States.
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