NCJW Celebrates Historic Decision on Privacy, Warns of Threats
June 7, 2012, Washington, DC – The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today observed the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut by rededicating itself to preserving the rights granted by that historic decision. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“Today NCJW celebrates the US Supreme Court’s 1965 decision in Griswold v. Connecticut, which ruled that personal decisions about whether to use contraception fell within a zone of privacy protected by the Constitution and are beyond the reach of government. Yet we celebrate with trepidation — the continued attacks on access to contraception that have intensified in the last two years threaten to undermine the rights affirmed by that historic decision. Today we also celebrate the 5th anniversary of the launch of Plan A: NCJW’s Campaign for Contraceptive Access, which has battled at the state, local, and national levels to preserve access to contraception for all women and to ensure science-based sexuality education for young women.
“Most recently, NCJW has fought to protect a key advance in birth control access achieved with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act: the inclusion of contraceptive coverage without cost-sharing in all employer-sponsored insurance plans with narrow exceptions. We will continue to work to see this provision implemented, despite ideologically motivated objections from anti-contraception religious leaders and lawmakers. Failure to include contraceptive coverage would endanger women’s health and undermine the freedom of religion to which every woman — not every employer — is entitled.
“On this day, NCJW will rededicate itself to ensuring that the promise of Griswold is not undercut by its opponents and that all women have ready access to the family planning tools they need to control their own lives.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Plan A: NCJW’s Campaign for Contraceptive Access aims to mobilize the faith-based and progressive communities as well as the public at large to secure and protect access to contraceptive information and options.
Contact: Brianne Nadeau
202-265-3000 c202-494-5736
Brianne@rabinowitz-dorf.com