Celebrating Choice in North Dakota
Web Correspondent
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund
The job isn't easy. I worked there myself for nearly a year and some days I wanted to scream at the people who taunted us and our patients. However, if you look at the glass half full, you realize that one abortion clinic for an entire state does have a perk—it gives the pro-choice community a pretty specific rallying point.
We recently took time to celebrate choice in our state at the event, “Choice Desserts.” Money raised went to the ‘North Dakota Women in Need fund’ (used by women who cannot afford an abortion). My favorite part of the evening was a 30 minute documentary (put together by clinic workers and supporters) that chronicled those tumultuous early years of the clinic. While watching this movie, I recognized how far we’ve come in my state.
What is now the Red River Women’s Clinic began in 1981 and was called Fargo Women's Health Organization. Jane Bovard, a local Fargo woman, got the clinic going in a refurbished residential home. Quickly it was swarmed with protesters. Before congress passed the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) the clinic had to endure horrible harassment---- not just at the clinic, but at Bovard’s and other clinic worker’s homes.
In the documentary there were pictures and news footage of what the Lambs of Christ protests of the early 1990’s looked like. One protester drove a car across the clinic driveway, took the tires off, and then welded himself inside of the car. The police actually had to cut him out of the vehicle. He was clearly dedicated to the cause and had prepared for the long day—by wearing Depends adult diapers. That got a laugh out of the audience!
Becca Sorgert, current clinic worker, helped make the documentary and said she was shocked at the early days of the clinic’s history.
“I could not even imagine what the clinic, its staff, and patients had to go through,” Sorgert said. “When I saw the pictures and footage from the news, it was insane!”
Protesters actually would rush the clinic doors and lock themselves together in the operating rooms.
“They did anything to try to stop procedures from being performed,” Sorgert said. “But patients were always seen that same day!”
In 1998 the old clinic closed so that the Red River Women’s Clinic could open downtown. It is still the only abortion clinic in ND.
When the documentary ended, it was met with a standing ovation. It was a great way to acknowledge and thank all the clinic workers and show that, yes we are making progress and what we’re doing affects women’s lives.
The Win FUND made $1700 that night (double the highest amount ever raised). And just as important, everyone could enjoy amazing desserts, a silent auction full of funky, feminist items and a chance to sit side-by-side with people who are passionate for choice.
Being pro-choice in a state with one clinic and 17 “crisis pregnancy centers” is hard work. It’s easy to succumb to apathy, but when you can take a time out to really appreciate the accomplishments, the glass isn’t just half-full—it’s overflowing! North Dakota DOES have a proud, pro choice history and we have much to celebrate.
Trackback: http://ppsd.bluestatedigital.com/trackback/287/4gXsv63y/
