We have big challenges ahead of us in Iowa

I am going to be direct. The last 3 years have been by far the most difficult of my 35 years working at the Emma Goldman Clinic. And let me tell you; we have had some nearly insurmountable challenges in those 35 years. But the level of uncertainty and dread that was brought on by the pandemic, coupled with the legislative assault on abortion, including the demise of Roe, has been exhausting.

And while we tried to hold out hope, the midterm elections for Iowa were devastating.

Many of you have asked, “What is the clinic going to do?”

We are going to continue providing reproductive health care for folks in the Midwest. This response may seem simplistic to some, but providing reproductive health care is what we do best! We know that Indie Clinics like Emma provide critical services for our communities. It is imperative that Emma continues offering those services even if we cannot provide abortions. In the event of a total abortion ban, we’ll continue the fight and remain hopeful that we can effect change.

I remain hopeful that all of the events of the past year will create an upswell from the masses resulting in positive reproductive and social justice outcomes. But I realize that “hope is not a method.” It is just one part of a thoughtful strategy that moves a plan forward. Without hope, we are paralyzed and immobilized with no real reason to move forward because we don’t believe our efforts will matter.

Your support now does matter, more than ever.

Part of our planning includes building financial sustainability in the event that we are unable to offer abortion services. This is an imminent possibility as we wait for a decision regarding the 6 week abortion ban before the end of 2022.

As we enter a season where we typically gather to practice gratitude, we may have to push past the muck to find things to be grateful for. Here are some things that give us glimmers of hope:

• 5 states had abortion on the ballot. All 5 ended in favor of abortion. (Kentucky, Montana, Michigan, Vermont and California.) Kansas affirmed abortion on an earlier ballot.
• Democrats now have a majority in the US Senate. There is finally a plus one.
• The midterm elections were a referendum on reproductive rights, and it appears to have been mostly successful.
• Our community of support continues to rally and has grown exponentially since Dobbs.
• Abortion remains legal in Iowa and people are in need of our services. We are open and providing abortion care and will continue to do so until we are no longer legally able to.

The Emma Goldman Clinic staff is grateful for the outpouring of support that you have shown us. It is helpful to know that we are not alone in this fight to continue providing reproductive health care.

But we need everyone to keep fighting for what is right. Every person deserves the right and ability to control their own body and to be hopeful about their future. We need everyone who believes in the vision of feminist reproductive healthcare that includes safe, accessible, and affordable abortion care to show their solidarity with their financial support.

With hope,

Francine Thompson, Executive Director

P.S. We have a lofty goal of $5 million that would ensure operating expenses for the next 5 years.

Are you able to increase your gift by $5, $50 or $500?