Braving downpour and flood warnings, a large crowd gathered last night in Silverman Hall to educate themselves on the current state of women's right to choose.
Women's rights activist Kathryn Kolbert, host of the Penn-sponsored radio program Justice Talking, spoke passionately to a group of approximately 45 students about issues involving reproductive rights and a woman's right to choose.
"Choice right now should be on everyone's mind," said Kolbert, who was the defending lawyer in the 1992 Supreme Court case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a case credited with upholding abortion rights in the United States.
Kolbert discussed how in the past, women faced sacrificing both dignity and pride if they chose to exercise their reproductive rights, adding that this stigmatism has now almost disappeared.
"Now, in just 30 years, the right we won has become a right all of us take for granted," she said.
Kolbert pointed out that recent advances in medicine have broadened women's reproductive choices.
Yet, Kolbert noted that public opinion surrounding advances in birth control and abortion options have "more to do with who is president of the U.S. than it does with their medical promise."
She added that the current administration's negative opinion of abortion has tarnished these scientific accomplishments.
However, Kolbert is not concerned that the partial birth abortion ban President Bush signed into law on Nov. 5 will hinder reproductive freedom in the United States.
"I am not worried about this law actually becoming effective," Kolbert said. "I have confidence that the law will be found unconstitutional. What I am worried about is what the law says about the political process at large... I'm concerned with what will happen in four more years. We must all do what we can to make sure the current president does not return."
Students were left impassioned by Kolbert's speech.
"I think it's excellent that students are rallying towards this cause," College freshman Jennifer Ebling said. "It's very important that we pay attention to it now, especially in the face of choice being threatened in the upcoming years."
Ebling's sentiments were shared by Penn for Choice member and College senior Cari Benbasset-Miller.
"I thought it was a great speech," she said. "We were so pleased that she could come and so honored to have her here.... We're hoping this and the rest of the activities for Choice Week really help raise awareness on the campus."
Last night's event was cosponsored by Penn for Choice and the Penn Law Feminist Working Group as part of Choice Week.
