AMSA Launches Art & Appreciation for Abortion Providers Project
Marking 49 Years of Legal Abortion in the U.S.
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its ruling in Roe v. Wade, affirming a constitutional right to abortion care. This action made abortion legal in all U.S. states for the last 49 years.
AMSA recognizes there is a significant difference between the right to choose abortion care and the right to access abortion care – if abortion care can not be accessed (because of any number of structural barriers, such as racism and economic deprivation), then the right to choose can not be exercised. We also recognize, although the constitutional right to abortion has been formally recognized for 49 years, this has not translated to a material reality ensuring all people have just, equitable, and unburdened access to abortion care.
Against this backdrop of the inadequacy of merely recognizing a constitutional right to choose abortion, reproductive justice and abortion justice activists have advocated for and organized around a broader framework that connects choice with access, and access with justice. AMSA is proud to be counted among these dedicated activists for health justice.
At AMSA we believe reproductive health services are essential to comprehensive health care. We believe safe, legal, voluntary abortions should be available to all who need them. Yet, here we are, in 2022, marking this 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and – in truth – our hearts are heavy and our spirits are troubled by the growing acknowledgement that Roe will likely not survive to see its 50th. Despite this current reality our commitment to safe and legal abortion care in the U.S. and around the world remains steadfast.
AMSA doesn’t shy from controversy nor adversaries who seek to limit health care. We champion physician advocacy, believe health care is a human right, and that abortion is health care. We also celebrate and recognize those physicians who, often at personal risk, step up to provide abortion care in communities across our nation.
Today is the 49th anniversary landmark Roe v. Wade decision,
we are proud to launch our first
AMSA Art & Appreciation for Abortion Providers Project.
Over the next 46 days the AMSA Reproductive Health Project, in partnership with The Abortion Library, will name, honor, and recognize the measurable and immeasurable impact of legal abortion care in the U.S. We will do this through sharing art, poetry, music, information and expressions of appreciation for abortion care providers submitted by AMSA members. Submissions will be accompanied by facts about abortion and suggestions for actions you can take and share to help protect and expand abortion access.
New art and expressions of appreciation will be posted each day from January 22 through March 9, 2022. Then on March 10, we will join allies across the U.S. to celebrate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, a national day of recognition and gratitude for those who provide abortion care to those who need it, wherever and whenever it is needed.
As a project kick-off we invite you to watch National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s moving delivery of her poem:
Eight Reasons to Stand Up Against Abortion Bans Today
AMSA members, alumni and allies are invited to submit art and expressions of appreciation for abortion providers via AMSA Art & Appreciation for Abortion Providers Project – Submission Form. Art submissions may be images, music, or poetry/short text and must be original or copy-right free. All art and expressions of appreciation must be respectful and suitable for public viewing.
Stay tuned for details on how you can join Abortion Provider Appreciation Day celebrations on March 10 and connect with allies, sign-up here to receive celebration updates.
