Last year, when the National Network of Abortion Funds launched a bowlathon for abortion access, the idea seemed so wonderfully silly—in the face of something so serious, i.e. the very real lack of access to abortion (and many other health care services) services—that I wanted in. So, I “bowled,” as bloggers do. And I raised some money for NNAF.
In this last year, I’ve also called upon Stephanie Poggi to brainstorm about how this national organization—that both serves as consortium of funds, helping people fund-to-fund problem solve and share resources and ideas—and as a strong voice for underserved women denied access to reproductive health care does what it does. I had that conversation in particular in hopes of gleaning information that might serve advocates hoping to raise the volume on another issue that involves poverty and underserved populations, foster care. There are some great people hoping to do exactly this. Stephanie was hugely helpful. I’d put NNAF on my list of organizations I wish I magically could offer more time and more money.
But I can “bowl.”
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Pretty recently, I’ve written about abortion access in my local newspaper and on the Huffington Post and also right here on the blog. I mentioned—and will mention again now—that Friday April 8th at the Hampshire College Reproductive Justice Conference you can hear more stories (or share your own) about abortion at the Speak-Out.
Before the bowling-slash-fundraising for NNAF is over, I will write about abortion again.
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I think humor is so often what saves us. Long ago, Ladies Against Women went to the Republican National Convention and held a bake sale for the Pentagon. You could say folks like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert took those reins, hilarity, pointed humor and the seriousness that lies underneath to another level.
Bowling is funny (those shoes, right there). And bowling is fun. If you want to bowl for Standing in the Shadows’ “team” and raise money for access, please do! If you do, let me know in the comments line, especially if you take photographs so I can borrow images from you and put them on the blog. We could get all real-meets-virtual.
In Cambridge, Massachusetts last year, the bowling alley wouldn’t let a fundraiser for abortion access take place on their lanes. So, as always, taking action has many layers. That’s to say: go for it. Be absurd. Be serious.
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Again, just to be super clear about how to donate: here’s the link.
That’s house (blog) business number one.
Number two: I’m going on vacation Saturday and may just post less than usual this coming week. Shall I keep you in suspense about where I’m going until I post a photo? Okay, sure.
One thing I can reveal without giving away my undisclosed location is that I plan to try (try, try, try) to catch up on some sleep. I keep reading how important this is in our under-slept country and as I valiantly attempt to do better on the sleep front, I really do feel that I am very tired. This coming week, I wish some zzzzzzzzzzzz’s for you, too (I bet you need ‘em).
