MINNEAPOLIS, MINN [3/10/2020] – Today, Gender Justice and the Whole Woman’s Health Alliance applauded Minneapolis Mayor Frey’s proclamation to recognize March 10th, 2020 as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.
National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day first began in 1996 to honor the life of Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider who was killed by an anti-abortion extremist on March 10, 1993. Since then, the day has grown to include celebration of local providers who continue to provide compassionate, dedicated, and patient-centered care to their communities.
This year, March 10 comes just days after abortion providers and their attorneys argued before the Supreme Court in June Medical Services v. Russo, a case that may have widespread implications for providers and abortion access in the United States. With this proclamation, Mayor Frey honors local abortion provider, Whole Woman’s Health, who has provided reproductive healthcare to Minnesotans since 2012.
“Every day, abortion providers like Whole Woman’s Health deliver high quality care in the face of harassment and threats to abortion access at the federal and local levels,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “I’m proud to recognize today as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day to celebrate Whole Woman’s Health as an essential part of our community.”
“When our elected officials recognize the work we do as providers to deliver abortion care, our communities are healthier and safer,” said Dr. Jessika Ralph, Medical Director at Whole Woman’s Health. “We are so grateful to Mayor Frey for recognizing Whole Woman’s Health, and for all the work his administration has done to support reproductive health care access in Minneapolis.”
“Every Minnesotan has the right to make our own health care decisions, including the right to decide whether and when to become a parent. The providers at Whole Woman’s Health and other independent clinics continue to provide this crucial piece of pregnancy care even while threats to abortion rights increase,” said Erin Maye Quade, Advocacy Director at Gender Justice and Campaign Manager for UnRestrict Minnesota. “While abortion providers experience threats from extremists as well as attempts to roll back abortion rights at almost every level of government, we are grateful to have such a strong champion for reproductive health care access in the Mayor.”
