Annual Georgia Roe Rally [cloth banner]

Abstract

Text states: Annual Georgia Roe Rally, Georgians for Choice. Row V Wade, 1973. Georgians for Choice Members: Abortion Clinics Online, American Civial Liberties Union of Georgia, Atlanta Surgi-Center, Chapters of Georgia NOW, Columbus Women's Health Organization, Feminist Women's Health Center, Georgia Abortion and Repdocutive Rights Action League, Georgia Rural Urban Summit, MAFIA (Metro Atlanta Feminists in Action), Men Stopping Violence, National Council of Jewish Women, Atlanta Section, Planned Parenthood of Georgia, SisterLove, Inc., Summit Medical Center, Volunteer Drivers' Network, Vote Choice: A Georgia PAC, Women's Policy Group/Women's Policy Education Fund.

Correspondence and printed material, as well as minutes and agendas, financial records, legal records, photographs, audio-visual records, and artifacts including textiles, 1974-2006(bulk 1982-2006), document the legislative, organizational, advocacy, and educational work of Georgians for Choice to preserve reproductive choice in the state. Reference material documents legal issues, legislation, and various other organizations representing pro-choice and pro-life viewpoints. The Georgians for Choice records also contain materials relating to the administration, fundraising, and management of the coalition-based non-profit.

Formed in 1986, Georgians for Choice brought together 16 women's organizations in an effort to greater impact the protection and expansion of women's reproductive freedom in Georgia. Over time, Georgians for Choice grew to become to a 45 member coalition. Membership in Georgians for Choice was open to any organization supporting the coalition's mission and goals. Each organization paid a membership fee based on its total budget. However, no organization was denied membership due to an inability to pay dues. Additional financial support for the coalition came from special events, individual donations,organizational donations (special appeals), and foundations. Georgians for Choice strove for diversity in both its membership and leadership, and in its selection of its steering committee, worked to ensure that members represented varied geographic regions and included women of color, organizations of faith, social services, the women's legal community, health care providers, educational organizations, and gay and lesbian organizations. Serving as a clearinghouse for members, Georgians for Choice functioned as a centralized source for media referrals; had a video library on women's reproductive health issues; provided timely information on state and national legislation; provided a quarterly newsletter with state, regional, and national events; provided speakers for panels and forums; monitored clinic violence; provided clinic escorts and training; testified before state legislative committees; and conducted in-district and Washington meetings with members of Congress. GFC invested a great deal of energy in its Candidate Report Card,which provided voters with information on national, statewide, and local candidates for public office and their positions on reproductive rights. It also helped connect women seeking reproductive services to care providers who offered family planning, abortion,pregnancy care, adoption services, and financial assistance. In 2008 Georgians For Choice changed its name to SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW and its mission to ""collaborate with individuals and communities to build and sustain a powerful reproductive justice movement in Georgia by developing and sharing a radical analysis in order to shift culture; mobilizing in response to immediate threats and; organizing for long term systemic change.""