“Our hopes for a more just, safe, and peaceful world can only be achieved when there is universal respect for the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family.” – Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
As a lifelong learning organization dedicated to “awakening the best in the human spirit,” we are anguished by the grave risk to life, liberty, and justice caused by overturning the constitutional right to abortion. This decision is a vital wound to our efforts towards equality, and to the human rights of women and all people whose reproductive autonomy is now threatened, particularly women of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, those without access to resources, and those suffering from domestic violence.
We believe those who face the profound decision of whether to bear a child have the inherent spiritual and moral authority to make that decision informed by their beliefs, life circumstances, community, and advice of health care providers—and this must be reflected in legal authority.
We are grateful we operate in New York, a state that protects our employees' access to abortion, and call on employers nationwide to extend support however possible. We vow to continue to educate and inspire people to work for equity and justice, as well as to build greater connection and human understanding. We encourage you to participate in the democratic process by getting informed, connecting with efforts to address this issue, and helping to build a country that fully values reproductive rights and justice for everyone, and the lives of women and girls everywhere.
While this moment creates what feels like an unbridgeable breach across beliefs, party lines, and even around dinner tables, there are tools for bridging differences through dialogue, such as those created by our partner Living Room Conversations and others. We also invite you to read A Reflection on Roe v. Wade by the Omega Women’s Leadership Center.