HomeFront PageNeighborhood Event Raises Funds...

Neighborhood Event Raises Funds for Abortion Rights

By Lyn Hillman

A group of local women got together following the passage of Georgia’s six-week abortion ban to brainstorm and find ideas for protecting abortion rights for local women. Grant Park resident Jennifer Berkowitz started the group after attending an online training session to learn about ways to support local organizations advocating for reporoductive rights. The group, Atlantans for Abortion, came up with the idea of holding a fundraising party to support local organizations working to protect reproductive rights. The first such event was held on Saturday, October 1 at the home of Joanna and Scott Mevers in Grant Park.

55 guests attended the party, which featured a DJ, cocktails, food, a silent auction, a photo booth station, and remarks from Democratic Georgia House Representative and Georgia Secretary of State candidate Bee Nguyen and Mo Ivory, the Director of Cultural Engagement for Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. The Mevers’ home was lit in pink and guests were encouraged to wear green, which has become the color frequently worn by abortion rights activists in countries around the world including Argentina, Colombia, and Poland.

The event raised more than $6,000 in ticket sales. According to host Joanna Mevers, the event organizers expect to meet their overall goal of raising $10,000 in total, including additional donations. All food and beverages were donated and prepared by organizers and volunteers. 100 percent of the funds raised will go directly to the Atlanta-based ARC clinic, which provides transportation, lodging, and childcare to women traveling to Atlanta for reproductive healthcare services.

In her remarks to the audience, Nguyen, who currently represents the 89th District in the  Georgia House of Representatives, recounted her experience as a member of congress during the debates over Georgia House Bill 481, which severely restricts access to abortion after approximately six weeks of pregnancy. Nguyen mentioned that many colleagues privately told her they supported abortion rights, which would be protected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling even if the state-wide ban was passed. She noted that protecting abortion access is even more important since the overturning of the Supreme Court decision. Nguyen also asked attendees to encourage their friends to vote, especially in light of recent laws passed in Georgia that can make it more difficult for citizens to register to vote. She also explained that it is very easy for anyone to challenge the legitimacy of an individual’s voter registration. In speaking to the attendees, Ivory also encouraged everyone to vote, and she reiterated Abrams’ commitment to defend reproductive rights in Georgia, including repealing HB 481.

The event organizers plan to continue their fundraising efforts to support clinics offering reproductive healthcare services including abortion. Future events will include painting parties that can be held in hosts’ homes. Please visit https://atlantansforabortion.com for more information and to keep up with future events. The public is encouraged to follow the group on Instagram at @Atlantansforabortion. Those wishing to donate to ARC can do so at https://arc-southeast.org/donate.

Recent

AdvertisementAd for Cuong Nhu Martial Arts, Sung Ming Shu | 465 Boulevard S.E. Atlanta, GA 30312 Suite 202A | 404-525-4707 | sungmingshu@gmail.comAd for A-1 Roofing. Phone: 404-627-6909 / 404-787-7001. Website: www.a1roof-remodeling.com
AdvertisementAd: Steve's Tree Service and Landscaping, phone: 770-474-5565

More from Author

June 2023 Print Issue

Open the issue in a new window

Introducing: The Pooch Press

By Robert M. Sarwark Calling all pets of Grant Park, the SAND...

Grant Park Sign Topper Update

By Phil Kelly In the fall of 2021, the Grant Park Neighborhood...

Zuber-Jarrell House Receives a Preservation Award from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation 

oto by Elena Kaplan Homeowners & Representatives from the GA Trust,the ...

Read Now

June 2023 Print Issue

Open the issue in a new window

Introducing: The Pooch Press

By Robert M. Sarwark Calling all pets of Grant Park, the SAND neighborhoods, and East Atlanta! We want YOU for a new feature in this newspaper. The Pooch Press invites all notable dogs, cats, and any other non-human friends and associates to submit their stories, skills, and photos for publication...

Grant Park Sign Topper Update

By Phil Kelly In the fall of 2021, the Grant Park Neighborhood Association's Homes & History Committee asked the Transportation Committee if we could take on the work of the Sign Topper update project. Since then, we worked hard to understand the City process for the project and...

Zuber-Jarrell House Receives a Preservation Award from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation 

oto by Elena Kaplan Homeowners & Representatives from the GA Trust,the Jarrell Family, and ZJH Tradesmen. Left to Right: Front Row: Tiffany Alewine, Brandy Morrison, Mark McDonald, Jennifer Murray, Marc Dobiecki, Rob Wanderman, Back Row: Alan Keck, Douglas Frey, Norris Broyles, Rebecca Jarrell, Dick Jarrell, Robbye...

Grant Park Pool Opens for Summer

By The Friends of Grant Park Pool Splash into your pool! The Grant Park pool is one of 12 public outdoor pools provided by the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation. As of late April, the city plans for the pool to be open five days a week...

May and June Happenings at Oakland

By Angie Wynne Oakland’s late-spring calendar is filled with family-friendly opportunities to experience the cemetery in unique and educational ways. May is National Preservation Month, and to celebrate, Historic Oakland Foundation’s preservation team will lead two “Behind-The-Stones” preservation tours. Tickets for these tours tend to go quickly, so...

CALENDAR – April/May 2023

COMMUNITY MEETINGS GPNA (Grant Park Neighborhood Association) 3rd Tuesday, 7:30pm-9:00pm. Check www.grantpark.org for details. SAND (South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development) – 2nd Thursday of every month at 7:30pm, Ormewood Church Fellowship Hall, corner of Woodland & Delaware Avenues. EACA (East Atlanta Community Association): 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm. www.eaca.net for details. EABA (East Atlanta Business Association) General Meeting,...

EACA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Call to order / Meeting recording started 7:00 pm. Approved without dissent, March 14, 2023 meeting minutes. Approved without dissent, March 2023 treasurer report. Public Safety Update – Zone 6 Representative and Myron Polster: FBI now says robberies are not a violent crime for statistical reporting purposes, and now Zone 6...

SAND Meeting Minutes – Thursday, April 13, 2023

Submitted by Kate Champion The developers of Halidom Eatery at 1341 Moreland Avenue presented architectural drawings of their proposed food hall. They expect the facility, with its art deco/South Beach vibe, to house about 11 eateries and invited those with concepts to contact them. They hope to also...

GPNA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Register in advance for the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctd-GurzgjGdBhY9lxJr2uJh7N2LKfiNZO. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Call to Order–7:30pm. President’s Introduction: We will be moving voting items to the top of each meeting moving forward. There are no items today. Public Official Update: Jonathan Harris - Community...

Thanks, EACA Topper Volunteers

By Henry Bryant What would any community be without volunteers to cover the gaps when public funds don’t quite stretch? When the East Atlanta Community Association (EACA) decided to take part in a Neighborhood Planning Unit-W (NPU-W) grant, the allotted money was not enough to print and install...

Red’s Farm Update

By Paul Bolster District One Council Member Jason Winston told The Porch Press the City of Atlanta is interested in acquiring Red’s Farm to preserve open space in Ormewood Park. Winston said the city, Red’s family, and the Conservation Fund are in active negotiations regarding the acquisition. He says, “The...