The Progressives' Handbook

How does your state stack up when it comes to reproductive rights? NARAL Pro-Choice America has a quick and easy way to find out via its "In Your State" index (www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/in_your_state). For example, if you choose Wyoming, you'll find that as of November 2007, the Iowa legislature was considering two anti-choice bills including one requiring women to receive a "state-mandated lecture, which may include medically inaccurate information, prior to obtaining abortion services and prohibits abortion unless women wait an additional 24 hours after receiving lecture." If you choose Tennessee, you will also find three separate anti-choice bills, including one "proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict low-income women's access to abortion." The site also lets you to see your Congress members' reproductive rights voting records. Definitely worth a visit.

If you're interested in some internet activism, then head on over to NARAL Pro-Choice America's birth control access campaign (www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center). You can write a letter to your editor, download a petition, submit your own story, urge pharmacy chains such as Walgreens and Wal-mart to honor women's prescriptions, and even watch a brief educational film.

Since the fight for reproductive rights should also look at racism, poverty and unequal access to health care, read Pro-Choice America's excellent report called: "Breaking Barriers: A Policy Action Kit Promoting the Reproductive Health of Women of Color and Low-Income Women" (www.prochoiceamerica.org/issues/women-of-color/breaking-barriers.html). The 2003 report is roughly 100 pages and covers everything from setting up culturally-appropriate training programs to increasing the number of women eligible for Medicaid.

For confidential information on pregnancy and abortion in the US, as well as referrals to funding sources, you can call the National Abortion Federation Hotline toll-free at 1-800-772-9100. The Hotline is anonymous and offers advice in both English and Spanish.