As we begin to process the outcome of this election, we not only understand the deep challenges we face as activists, but we maintain the resolve to continue to advocate for reproductive justice. Throughout this election, we’ve been clear that our work continues, no matter who is in office. We know the kinds of attacks on essential rights and freedoms that we face with the incoming administration. We know, too, that succumbing to despair dooms present and future generations in this fight.
We cannot, and will not, relent in our pursuit of full reproductive freedom and justice. We cannot, and will not, relent because millions of Americans in their reproductive years are facing barriers and threats to basic health care and civil rights that will shape opportunity and life chances for generations to come. Our younger selves recognize the fear in today’s young people as our own. Our work is not done, and justice is not yet won.
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Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights (GRR!) was incorporated in 2020 by women who grew up in the 50s, 60s, and early 70s when women in this country had little or no access to birth control. Abortion was illegal. Women were dying after unsafe abortions. Grandmothers have great power, so GRR! was formed. We are grandmothers in the traditional sense, and also elders of all identities who are committed to "grandmothering" a more just society for present and future generations. We envision a world where all people have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. A world where all can exercise their human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children and parent the children they do have in safe and sustainable communities. Through education and advocacy, we work towards this justice that every person deserves.
We are a home for older women who want to organize alongside peers and younger activists. Despite the wear of these hard years, we commit to offering encouragement and the balm of intergenerational feminist solidarity to all who join us. We commit to telling the full truth through our stories, providing accurate information and practical support to pregnant people everywhere. We commit to remaining creative, flexible, and steadfast as we confront the next four years, and beyond.
Gaylon B. Alcaraz, executive director, Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, Chicago
There's no kidding ourselves. Donald Trump is who we've become, a nation raised on trash television and beguiled by the tripe on the internet. We've elected to our highest office a convicted felon, rapist and chronic liar. It's too bad a decent man like Jimmy Carter lived to see such history.
Jim Arneberg, Hoffman Estates
If, according to Donald Trump and the Republican Party, the Democrats stole the 2020 election, then please tell me why they didn't do the same thing this time around? Could it be that the elections have been secure all along?
Tom Scorby St. Charles
Now that Kamala Harris has lost, and definitively, I wonder how long it will take for the Democratic Party to shunt her aside as they did Joe Biden? And after, who else do they have on the horizon in terms of national leadership?
John Vukmirovich, Lemont
