&
&
&
FFL President’s Report
Serrin M. Foster
MISSION DRIVE
Feminists for Life of America recognizes that abortion is a reflection that
our society has failed to meet the needs of women.
We are dedicated to systematically eliminating the root causes that drive women
to abortion-primarily lack of practical resources and support-through
holistic, woman-centered solutions.
Women deserve better than abortion.
The following are highlights of our recent work for women and children,
made possible by the sacrifice of our dedicated members and generous donors.
ADVOCACY and LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION
Educating Federal and State Legislators–and the Future Leaders:
Thanks to a very special donor for leadinga challenge match, FFL has been able to
provide lawmakers, their staffs, and student activists with “Pro-Woman Answers to
Pro-Choice Questions,TM” including talking points and a “Birthmothers Deserve Better”
article, as well as our
recently updated “Voices of Our Feminist Foremothers,” “You Have
Better Choices,” and our basic philosophical brochure. To date, FFL
has distributed 14,000 kits across the country!
Protecting Pregnant and Parenting Rape Victims from Rapists who Seek Visitation
At the invitation of Vermont Right to Life Committee, Serrin presented her landmark
speech, “The Feminist Case Against Abortion” at the Vermont State House for the
Roe v.Wade Anniversary.. During her address, Serrin advocated for legislation to
protect rape survivors (both mother and child) from rapists who seek custody or
visitation.
Serrin, FFL Vice President Sally Winn, and FFL speaker and rape survivor Joyce McCauley-Benner
provided feedback to various state level organizations working on similar legislation.
Twenty years after a coalition meeting to pass the Violence Against Women Act, when
Serrin first addressed the need to legally protect mothers and children conceived
during sexual assault from rapists seeking visitation and custody, half of the states
have enacted such laws.
FFL celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act and the 35th
anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
College Outreach Program
Serrin presented “The Feminist Case AgainstAbortion” across the country and often
to full houses, some standing room only. Stops on her tour included the University
of Vermont, Providence College(RI), TulaneUniversity(LA), George Mason University(VA),
the 2nd annual YaleUniversity pro-life conference Vita Et Veritas, Seattle University
(WA),Clarion University (PA), and the University of Chicago (IL), (which has a
section of their webpage devoted to abortion).
A year after her first lectures at Wofford University and Converse College in Spartanburg,
SC, Serrin returned to moderate the first ever back-to-back FFL Pregnancy Resource
Forums. Each panel, comprised of professors from both schools, arrived at joint
solutions for students on both campuses.
Pepperdine’s Dean of Student Affairs reported they now have scholarships to house
mothers and their children! (Serrin moderated an FFL Pregnancy Resource Forum there
years ago, and efforts continue!)
Serrin also moderated the 19th Annual Pregnancy ResourceForum at Georgetown University.
Sally presented “Refuse to Choose: Reclaiming Feminism” at Carroll College (MT),
the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, the University
of Minnesota at St. Paul, the University of Wisconsin at Platteville, Georgia Tech,
and Williams College (MA). Sally addressed leaders at Students for Life of America’s
National Conference and the first SFL West Coast Conference-and she’s invited back
this January!
Sally moderated the first-ever FFL Pregnancy Resource Forum at Wooster, and another
at St. Louis University, where, inspired by a previous FFL speaker, a child care
fund was established years ago.Sally also led the second FFL Pregnancy Resource
Forum at Boston University, a year after Serrin led the first.
Sally also revisited the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams, MA, which
has been beautifully restored by owner Carol Crossed.
Joyce McCauley-Benner presented “Victory over Violence” to students at the College
of St. Scholastica (MN), hosted by The Guiding Star. The Guiding Star is a pregnancy
resource center serving the poor, students, working parents, and victims of violence.
After hearing Sally Winn speak in Duluth several years ago, The Guiding Star’s founder
was inspired to put FFL’s principles into practice.
Joyce also addressed six hundred students at UC Berkeley. Another speaker at the
same event is a professor who has also performed abortions. Draped in condoms,
he waved a packet of RU-486 abortifacients, saying, “See, just pills!” Despite
overwhelming opposition, Joyce patiently answered questions from an audience surprised
to hear from a woman who chose “victory over violence” for herself and her child.
Former College Outreach Program Coordinator Chaunie Brusie addressed students at
Seattle University. Now a mother of four and a labor and delivery nurse, Chaunie
has published Tiny Blue Lines, about her unplanned pregnancy and pro-life leadership
on a Michigan campus; it includes information about FFL’s College Outreach Program.
(Seattle University invited Serrin this fall