Happy 39th Birthday Roe v.s. Wade!

I value birthdays. I think they're important. I know there are millions of people who don't celebrate their birthday or place the value that I do on them. For me birthdays are significant in looking at where we've come, where we are, and where we may be going. That is why I'm proud to acknowledge and celebrate the 39 years since the Supreme Court's decision Roe v.s Wade.

Under Roe v.s. Wade the Court ruled that women have a right to privacy under the due process law of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and gives a women the right to have an abortion. Since the passing of this law 39 years ago, abortion remains a contentious social issue in American politics. Policymakers on both  federal and state levels seek to reverse this decision and in my opinion set back the clock on this right given to women in our nation. Meanwhile advocates of choice have been fiercely fighting to maintain this right for women.

Naral Pro-Choice America, an organization made up of pro-choice men and women who advocate for a women's right to choose labeled 2011 the year where many congressional leaders and anti-abortion organizations waged "War on Women" rights. This can bee seen in the push to cuts  federal funds to organizations like Planned Parenthood and the drafting of legislation known as "Personhood" laws, which were taken up in 2010 ballots or in front of state legislatures in 29 states, according to the AP.

In celebrating Roe v.s. Wade's 39th birthday I acknowledge that we've come a great distance on this issue and that is something pro-choice advocates can be proud of. However, birthdays also remind me that with age come new challenges and we need to be prepared to face those as we make our way through another year. Happy 39th Roe! Let's celebrate today, but remember there is a war on women in our nation and pro-choice advocates must unite to protect a women's right to choose.