September is Abortion Access Month, and Women Have Options has big changes to share. Our inspiring board chair, Nancy Pitts, is stepping down. We’re reflecting on how much we’ve grown since she began the position in October 2009, and on what directions we will take in the future as we work to give the women of Ohio the choices they deserve.

Earlier this summer, Women Have Options attended the 2013 National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) annual summit. As you may recall, last year we received the award for Most Impressive Advocacy, one of the highest honors bestowed on funds. This year, NNAF offered more awards in new categories… and we won the “SuperFund” award, which recognized a fund that had exhibited exceptional organizational development, increased organizational capacity, and cultivated leadership. Prior to the summit, NNAF asked funds to nominate themselves for those categories in which they felt strongest. We are sharing our self-nomination because… well, we are proud of all the work we’ve done to make WHO/O a resilient and vibrant organization!

You did it! You helped strike down barriers to abortion access by raising over $23,000 for Women Have Options! Whether you were a sponsor, team captain, bowler, or donor, you have made a difference in someone’s life. Thank you!

I would like to share a note that we received some time ago from a woman we helped, and it’s memorable to me because it illustrates the importance of what we do.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Deciding between paying my bills and having my procedure was tough. With your help, I was able to do both. People like you are a true blessing for those in need. I pray that you are able to continue to be a blessing to others in need and one day I may be able to help someone as well. Thank you for the blessing. Sincerely, Katherine*

Today we have a guest post from Elizabeth Miller, a board member with one of our sister abortion funds, the Eastern Massachusetts Abortion (EMA) Fund. The anniversary of the Hyde Amendment got her thinking about reproductive justice, and what it means to her. Read her thoughts below: