Kate Michelman Honored

from the inbox:

The Women’s Law Project yesterday announced the establishment of the Kate MichelmanLegacy Fund, dedicated to advancing the ongoing work of protecting the reproductive freedom of women in Pennsylvania and beyond.

 Kate also received the 2014 Myra Bradwell Award, which recognizes individuals whose work symbolizes the spirit and determination demonstrated by Myra Bradwell, a 19^th Century feminist who broke down barriers that prohibited women from practicing law. The Honorable Edward G. Rendell presented the award to Kate, calling her “a fearless leader who transformed the debate in the United States about a woman’s right to choose as a fundamental American liberty.” 

“We couldn’t have found a recipient for the Myra Bradwell Award who better exemplifies the dedication and passion that Kate has brought to the fight for women’s equality these past 45 years,” said Carol Tracy, Executive Director of the Women’s Law Project. “Her personal tragedy, rather than defeating her, instead propelled her to the front lines, where she served as President of NARAL Pro-Choice America for nearly two decades.” 
 

At the Myra Bradwell Award & Reception last night at Duane Morris in Philadelphia, the founding donors for the Kate Michelman Legacy Fund were announced, including Mardi Kildebeck of the Mary Wohlford Foundation and Dagmar Dolby of the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund, both of whom committed $25,000. According to Dagmar Dolby, “There’s no one better than Kate to know the history, but also to inspire the passion to fight for women's reproductive rights. She inspired me twenty years ago and continues to do so today.”

 It was announced at the awards reception that $150,000 in founding donations have been made to The Kate Michelman Legacy Fund, which seeks to raise a total of $500,000. “I chose the Women’s Law Project for this fund because its work is both on the ground and at the forefront of women’s rights. For over 40 years, they have fought generations of regressive abortion laws in Pennsylvania, twice in the United State Supreme Court. They provide expert legal counsel and guidance to abortion care providers and patients. They also work on a full range of issues affecting women’s legal, health and economic status and know all too well that giving voice to the voiceless is critical to calling attention to the continued discrimination faced by women,” said Kate Michelman.
 

Kate Michelman, the deserving honoree at last night’s event, stated, “I am so humbled to be a part of the ongoing work of the Women’s Law Project through the Kate Michelman Legacy Fund.” She continued, “In 1969, I had a personal, economic and health crisis that I decided to resolve by seeking an abortion. Under the extremely restrictive laws of Pennsylvania, I was utterly alone. Today, I need your help to make sure that women in Pennsylvania - who now face threats to their reproductive rights and health - are never alone. That’s why the Legacy Fund, and the work we will be able to do as a result of our generous donors, is of such critical importance.”