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Summer 2003

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Serrin Foster, the president of Feminists for Life, presented a lecture on Feb. 24 explaining the feminist pro-life position. The event was co-sponsored by Women’s Studies and the Health and Wellness Center and was titled, “The Feminist Case Against Abortion.”

The objective of Foster’s speech was to explain the role of the feminist movement within the pro-life movement. She espoused the notion that Feminists for Life, “oppose all forms of violence including abortion, infanticide, child abuse, domestic violence, assisted suicide, euthanasia and capital punishment, and the exploitation of women and children, as they are inconsistent with the core principles of justice, nonviolence and nondiscrimination.”

She highlighted issues pertaining to her belief in the strength of women and the potential of every human life. In addition, Foster rejected the commonly held position that every feminist supports abortion. Instead, she declared that, “I refuse to choose between women and children…no woman should be forced to choose between pursuing her education and career plans and sacrificing her child.”

After providing a detailed summary of the historical roots of feminism, she progressed into a narrative concerning why women seek abortive measures when faced with unwanted pregnancies. “Abortion rights activists promised us a world of equality and reduced poverty…[and] declared all rights are meaningless without the right to have an abortion,” she said. Yet, instead of achieving this equality, abortion only perpetuates what is essentially violence against women and their unborn children.

Foster continued to address the concept that abortion advocates have betrayed women and denied them access to social equality. “Abortion is a reflection that we have failed to meet the needs of women,” she said. Due to a lack of practical and financial resources as well as a deficiency of emotional support, women often view abortion as the only option when dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Foster urged that society work together to systematically eliminate the reasons why women seek abortions.

Feminists for Life seek to provide progressive measures to help women considering abortion. Their efforts focus on facilitating resources and support for women in need. The organization was established in 1972 and remains a nonsectarian, nonpartisan, grassroots organization. They seek the equality of all human beings and champion the needs of women.

Foster has been a member of Feminists for Life since 1994 and is an international spokesperson for feminists against abortion. She has made several political and media appearances, which include her participation in the 1996 Republican National Convention’s abortion debate. Her speech, “The Feminist Case Against Abortion,” has also been included in an anthology of work about women’s rights.