Last Saturday, as many as 500 Kansas women, men, and children gathered at our State Capitol to attend the “We are Women” rally. These Kansans came together to speak out against politicians in Topeka and Washington who are trying to strip women of their rights and protections.

I was proud of the organizers, the Kansas chapter of the National Organization for Women, who joined with other organizations to shine a light on these continued attacks. Kari Rinker, State Director of Kansas NOW, presided over a long line of speakers who addressed reproductive health issues, gender equality, violence against women, and many other relevant women’s issues. 

Of special note, the Miami County contingent included people of all ages, all incensed by the actions of the Miami County Commission who refused to accept $9,000 in federal funding for family planning. Even after multiple attempts to persuade the Commission to accept the needed funding, Miami County Commissioners Danny Gallagher, George Pretz, and Jim Wise still voted no. Only after Miami County citizens raised $9,000 and donated it to the Commission did they act to keep family planning available for low income women. I applaud the steps taken by the Miami County community to overcome the shortsighted actions of their Commission. The next step for Miami County residents: elect Commissioners who share our belief in women’s access to health care.

The women captured in the Mothers for Choice photo are some of the same women who marched with me in the 1970’s for women’s reproductive rights. Well, it’s 2012 and we’re still marching. The only difference is that now we’re bringing our grandchildren with us!

- Chair Joan Wagnon