Posts Tagged ‘South Dakota’

Let’s be real. Women spend far more than 24 to 72 hours considering their decision when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Having to wait additional time is just pure condescension.

Oh, but I forget, some legislators don’t think that women can make these decisions—hence, the rest of South Dakota’s new dictate.

In addition to waiting 72 hours, women in South Dakota must visit an anti-choice propagandist (aka “crisis pregnancy center”) before having an abortion. And, if you think these centers are remotely unbiased, think again. The SD bill describes them as organizations whose mission is to “educate, counsel, and otherwise assist women to help them maintain their relationship with their unborn child.”

Clearly, our women’s health and lives matter message is getting us no where. They don’t care. Enough is enough. My new mantra: “You’re Not the Boss of Me”. Can’t you see it popping up in legislatures across the country, t-shirts, billboard and sandwich signs? It’s simple and clear.

It feels good. Say it again, “You’re Not the Boss of Me.”

No telling what’s in store this week. So far this year has been a doozy. I’m sure there’s more condescension to come from state and federal politicians of the women-can’t-think-for-themselves stripe.  But before giving up all hope, spend a little time watching women fight back in Wyoming. There’s a reason why the so-called Equality or Cowboy State was first to grant women’s suffrage.

When anti-choice Wyoming legislators introduced a state-scripted-politicians-in-the-exam room bill, here’s what Republican Rep. Sue Wallis had to say, “What this bill does is say that, as a woman, I’m not smart enough to know the decision I’m making, that somehow the state is required to intervene in this particular decision, where the state is required in no other medical decision..”

In other words, you’re not the boss of me.

The Star-Tribune recently published an interesting article profiling Dr. Carol Ball, a doctor in Minnesota who travels to South Dakota at least once a week to provide abortions. If you’re not aware, South Dakota is home to only one abortion clinic, and there are no doctors in the state who perform the procedure. As a result, the Planned Parenthood clinic flies in a rotation of four doctors, three from Minnesota and one from Colorado. The article covers a wide range of details concerning the situation, including Dr. Ball’s reaction to protestors and the murder of George Tiller. Dr. Ball, it should be noted, travels to South Dakota anonymously and is transported with a security detail.

One of the things that I find most interesting about the article is Dr. Ball discussing her decision to “come out” (so to speak) as an abortion provider. She mentions that, in the past, when asked what she did for a living, she would reply “obstetrician and gynecologist.” Now, she tells people: “I work for Planned Parenthood.”

It’s an interesting dilemma, and one that I can identify with. There have been times in my life in which I’ve had an internal struggle over whether to reveal that I worked at Planned Parenthood… or if, instead, I should simply say something generic, like “I work at a clinic.” For better or worse, telling someone that you work for Planned Parenthood is going to shape their opinion about you… and I’ve heard both positive and negative reactions.

But I agree with Dr. Ball that it’s important to be upfront and honest about this. She says that it’s so she can show her children that it’s important to stand up “for what you believe.” But I would also wager that it’s important to those South Dakota women, those patients who travel upwards of five hours to see her… it’s important for them to know that they have an ally who will stand up for them.