Posts by Melissa Fowler
We’re in this together.
A note from NAF’s President and CEO, The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale: I am sure many of you saw yesterday’s New York Times piece, “How a Divided Left is Losing the Battle on Abortion,” which raised a number of concerning and challenging issues about our movement. I spoke to this reporter for more than an…
Read MoreNAF APPLAUDS JURY VERDICT AGAINST CREATORS OF ANTI-ABORTION SMEAR CAMPAIGN
Today, a federal district court jury in San Francisco found the creators of the anti-abortion smear campaign against abortion providers all broke multiple state and federal laws in their efforts. The jury ruled in Planned Parenthood’s favor on each of its claims, including finding that the defendants violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act…
Read MoreThe Very Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale Named President & CEO of NAF
The Very Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale Named President & CEO of NAF Today, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) Board of Directors announced that The Very Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale has been named President and CEO. Ragsdale has served as Interim President and CEO since September 2018. “We are pleased to announce that Katherine will be…
Read MoreFederal Judge Blocks Georgia 6-Week Abortion Ban
Statement of The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale, Interim President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) on federal judge blocking Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban: “District Judge Steve C. Jones’ ruling blocking Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban is important and appreciated. The heavy-handed 6-week abortion ban is blatantly unconstitutional, dangerous and disrespectful to women, and should…
Read MoreBREAKING: Jackson City Council passes buffer zone
Statement of The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale, Interim President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) on Jackson, Mississippi health center buffer zone: “We applaud the Jackson City Council for approving a 15-foot buffer zone near the front entrance of health care facilities. We are proud to call Jackson Women’s Health a NAF member…
Read MoreThe Very Reverend Katherine H. Ragsdale Named NAF Interim President & CEO
The Very Reverend Katherine H. Ragsdale Named NAF Interim President & CEO Today, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) Board of Directors announced the hiring of The Very Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale as Interim President & CEO of NAF and the NAF Hotline Fund, effective immediately. Today’s announcement comes amid one of the most hostile environments for abortion access and abortion providers in decades, and the Interim President & CEO will…
Read MoreTrump Administration Pushes Gag Rule
[fusion_text]Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), on Domestic Gag Rule: This rule is another attempt by the Trump-Pence Administration to deny women access to basic health care. It will prohibit health care providers from referring patients for safe, legal abortion care and deny patients access to the information…
Read MoreLongtime NAF President & CEO Announces Plans to Retire in June 2019
[fusion_text]Today, Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation (NAF) President and CEO for the past 23 years, announced her plans to retire in June 2019. “It has been a great privilege to lead this organization and work alongside so many courageous abortion providers and dedicated advocates to help ensure that women can access quality abortion care,” said…
Read MoreSenate Approves Zika Funding Amendment with Harmful Hyde Language
Statement by Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), on Zika Funding Amendment: Today, the Senate approved a Zika funding amendment, which unfortunately includes harmful language that will restrict women’s access to abortion care. This follows yesterday’s House vote on a similar measure. It’s disappointing, but not surprising that anti-choice politicians…
Read MoreOklahoma Criminalizes Providing Abortion Care
Statement by Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF): Today, the Oklahoma legislature passed a bill to effectively ban abortion care in the state by making it a felony to provide the procedure. While it’s the first time we’ve seen this specific tactic used, this bill is nothing more than an…
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