NOW Notes
By Brenda Lea Mayberry

Editor’s Note:  On Saturday, April 5, Governor Graves signed the infamous partial-birth abortion bill.  This bill outlaws late-term abortions, with very few exceptions.

Thoughts on Partial-Birth Abortion (PBA)
First of all, those of us with any kind of medical training/knowledge don't even acknowledge PBA.  Partial-Birth Abortion is a construct of the anti-abortion movement.  It really is about later term or third-trimester abortions done to protect the health and life of the mother and/or the fetus has an abnormality that is life threatening to itself or the mother. I suspect the reason that the "anti's" focused on this is because Roe v Wade was defined by trimesters and allowed for states to possibly be involved in abortions during the last trimester.  At the time of Roe v Wade the viability of a fetus outside the womb was not as possible as it is now.  This is another way that anti-abortion folks can attack Roe v Wade in the hopes of eventually overturning it.  Now that the "anti's" have made a crack in this very important constitutional law, they will set their sites on full reversal of ANY women's right to choose. More of "big brother" in our private lives!!!  Even women who are not of child-bearing years, or have actively chosen not to have children should be concerned.  Once these folks get into our private lives via our anatomy they will not stop until they are regulating every aspect of our lives, including with whom we can sleep or have sex or live. Please call, fax, email, or write to Gov. Graves telling him how disappointed you are that he recently signed into law a ban on partial-birth abortions.

President of National Organization of Women (NOW) at KSU
Patricia Ireland, national president of NOW spoke to a large audience on April 15th at McCain Auditorium, located on the K-State campus.  Ms. Ireland was invited to speak by the KSU Union Program Council (UPC) and various women's groups of the community and campus. Ms. Ireland spoke on a variety of topics including, feminist humor, pay equity, registering to vote, and sexual harassment.  With the latter topic, Ms.Ireland spoke about the attempt of "silencing" women via the label of lesbian.  Ms. Ireland said that until ALL people have equality, no one truly has quality.  This was one reason, besides the sheer principle of it, that people should fight for the rights of bisexual, transgendered, gay, and lesbian people.

In her speech, Ms. Ireland read from her latest book, What Women Want, and she autographed books in lobby afterwards.  Not just because I am a NOW person, but because I love books with strong women characters, fiction or non-fiction, I recommend this book to anyone with similar likings in strong female characters.  Also it shows how anyone, female or male, can become involved in their own communities on the issues that are important to them.

Important note:  NOW will be having some summer events so send Brenda your email address o she can contact you.

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