A Message from JoAnn

For 13 years, I served as the president of Family Planning Advocates. During that time, I have asked a lot from you as we took on new – and ever more urgent – challenges. Together, we advanced reproductive rights in New York, even when much of the rest of the country seemed to be backsliding.

I could not be prouder of the organization that we have grown. I leave FPA in the extremely competent hands of a committed and talented board and staff who will continue our mission.

At the top of FPA’s agenda is securing reproductive rights in New York. Many people are surprised to learn that our state law does not yet guarantee that a woman will be able to have an abortion if her health is endangered.

They are even more surprised to learn that the law pertaining to abortion is located in the criminal code, rather than the health code where medical procedures belong.

So it is time for me to make one final request of you.

Support FPA’s work to pass the Reproductive Health Act. This bill will strengthen protections for women’s health in state law, ensuring the right to choose or refuse abortion within the framework of Roe v. Wade. Anti-choice extremists are well-funded and are already spreading vicious misinformation about the bill. Your contribution is essential to keep it moving forward.

Click here to see the video we’ve collaborated on to set the record straight and make a contribution to protect women’s health.

Give generously please.

Sincerely,

JoAnn M. Smith
President and CEO