Planned Parenthood | Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

North Dakota

North Dakota Abortion ban ballot measure narrowly averted, for now…

This summer opponents of legal abortion were quietly, yet steadily, working to mount an unprecedented attack on women’s health in North Dakota. They were busy attending county fairs, church groups and other community events gathering signatures for a ballot initiative for possible inclusion in the fall 2010 election. The filing deadline with the Secretary of State came and passed. Fortunately, the anti- choice group was unsuccessful in gathering the 12,844 signatures needed. Unfortunately, for the women of North Dakota, the group stated they will continue to push forward with another ballot initiative and possible legislation in the future.

What was the measure, you ask? Had the effort been successful the voters of North Dakota would have had a measure on their ballot titled “The baby decapitation and skull crushing ban”. Clearly, and despicably, the sponsors of this measure attempt to manipulate voters by using emotionally-charged language. The intent is to shock you, upset you, and to control you.

This anti-abortion measure would have a devastating impact on women facing serious complications after the first trimester of pregnancy. Many women seeking abortions after the first trimester very much want to carry their pregnancies to term, but they develop medical complications which threaten their own health or the health of the fetus. This initiative would severely restrict safe medical options for women in these difficult situations.

This anti-choice effort is not over; it is really just the beginning. The sponsors of this measure are clear; they will use this time to continue their work, gather more signatures, and get the measure placed on a future ballot. If that is not frightening enough, there is always the opportunity for the group to seek legislation during the 2011 session. Representative Dan Ruby (R-Minot), the sole sponsor of the 2009 “Personhood” bill which attempted to grant full human rights to a fertilized egg, was also a sponsor of this effort. During the Personhood effort Ruby was quoted "I think North Dakota will be on the map to be the first state in recent years to mount a legitimate challenge to Roe v. Wade!" The goal is crystal clear.

Declining to sign the petitions illustrates that North Dakotan saw this effort for what it was- an attempt by opponents of legal abortion to push an unconstitutional agenda and allow the government to intrude into the personal lives of the people of North Dakota.

During this interim time, before the North Dakota Legislature convenes in January 2011, it is imperative for pro choice advocates and friends to come together and organize. The first steps are simple and only take seconds. First, spread the word. Use the tell-a-friend feature to get your circle of friends involved with advocacy/information from Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD. Second, follow us on Twitter (@ppnodak) and Facebook (Planned Parenthood North Dakota Action Fund). Social networking is a valuable tool in connecting like minds in a frontier state like ours. And thirdly, please contribute today. Every dollar helps the small program we run in North Dakota- from $5 to $500 every cent is piece goes to supporting the pro choice movement.

North Dakota media covers the 50th Anniversary of 'The Pill'

View WDAY's story by clicking here

In the past 50 years with the help of the pill, the percentage of women who died as a result of pregnancy dropped by half. During that same period, there was a threefold decline in infant deaths. The percentage of unplanned pregnancies also declined, despite the fact that too many still occur. And as access to contraception has increased, the rate of abortion has decreased.

In Moorhead, the clinicians at the Planned Parenthood health center have been offering trusted and reliable information to women for nearly as long as the pill has been around. 2010 marks our 25^th year serving the women and families of this community. In fact, last year alone we provided more than 18,000 cycles of the birth control pill to women in need of affordable, accessible contraception.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

CAMPUS OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Are you a student on the campus of North Dakota State University interested in an Internship? Are you passionate about reproductive justice? Planned Parenthood MN, ND , SD is pleased to offer a fall 2010 Campus Outreach Coordinator Internship and is looking for the right person.

The Campus Outreach Coordinator is responsible for working with the North Dakota Public Affairs Manager in extending outreach to the North Dakota State University campus community. The intern will educate the campus community (particularly students but also faculty/staff) about Planned Parenthood and reproductive health at campus events, fairs, student organizations, in small-group settings and through marketing activities such as distributing flyers and pamphlets on campus.

For more information on responsibilites and qualifications for our Internship contact the North Dakota Public Affair Amy Jacobson at 701-261-4858 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).