today we mourn for a great man and those terrorized by hatred

The women you see on this page are women for choice. We are not an organized group, we are simply friends and feminists and civil rights activists from a Midwestern town that believe that women should be able to have as much control over their beautiful bodies and destinies as men have over theirs. We are clinic workers, we are lobbyists for choice, we are concerned citizens. We are of differing ages, races, and religions. We are women who have had abortions, we are women who haven't had abortions, but support our loved ones in making choices.

We are your sisters, friends, coworkers, cousins, aunties, and mothers.

Today we were horrified to hear the news of Dr. George Tiller's murder. We were left heartbroken, angry, and felt helpless.

We came together to talk, share our fears and hopes, and to honor a man who respected women so much that he put his own life on the line for their sake. We were in shock and disbelief that someone would commit this act of terrorism and desecrate a place of worship with their hate.

We built an alter, bringing our candles, prayer beads, beloved objects, and intentions to the table. We lit a black candle, which is symbolic of protection from evil- as well as a red candle, which was symbolic of courage and hope.

(go ahead and have a giggle at our plan B, if you want to. we think it's an appropriate alter item because it represents our freedom and right to plan a pregnancy, which we see as sacred)

We said two prayers- a Prayer of Healing, and a prayer of Angel's Influence, going out to Dr. Tiller's loved ones, friends, and coworkers, as well as to all the women in the world that understand that women need choices.

We burnt sage around each other- a ritual to cleanse our deep-seated anger, to turn hate and fear into love, to sooth our wounded spirits.

We hope that the loved ones of Dr. Tiller, his staff, friends, and the many people who knew him as a brave and respectful man can find their healing, too. We send our love, prayers, energy, and strength to those that have been terrorized by this heartless, hypocritical act of murder.

Our message to those that believe that murder is a way of enforcing a political agenda:

WE'RE NOT SCARED OF YOU.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR CHOICE AND HELP WOMEN WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN THE POSITION TO CHOSE.
WE WILL EAT UP YOUR HATE LIKE IT IS LOVE, AND USE IT TO FORTIFY OUR STRENGTH.
WE WILL NEVER CONDONE OR USE VIOLENCE AS A MEANS OF ENFORCING A POLITICAL AGENDA.
WE STAND FOR EQUALITY. WE STAND FOR TRUSTING WOMEN.

HOWEVER, WE WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS BULLSHIT.

To Dr. Tiller: we love you. We love what you did for women, as well as the choice movement.

To his loved ones and staff: we want to support you in any way possible. We are going to make a major effort to raise funds for your clinic to use however you need right now. We are especially worried about the women who were going to be seen by Dr. Tiller this week but now do not have a provider. If there is any way fund raising can aid their journeys to other providers, we want to help with that. We also recognize that your staff may need help, and that your facility has been vandalized recently. If our money could help with either of those things, we want you to have it.

If you'd like to donate to the Hope for Choice fund, you can click here:

or email hopeforchoice@gmail.com for more information. We are not a non-profit group, but promise to give every red cent of your donations to Women's Healthcare Services (Dr. Tiller's clinic) for whatever they may need at this time. We are employees of clinics and choice related political groups, and hope you will trust us with your online donation, as it will help us get the funds to Kansas even faster. If you have questions, or want to donate with your credit card via telephone, you can call NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio at 216-283-2180 between the hours of 9am-6pm EST Mon-Fri and say you'd like to give to the Hope for Choice Fund.


If you'd like to send a check, make it out to NARAL PCO/HCF Fund and send it to NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, who we will work with to send money to Women's Healthcare Services. They are a reputable 501 C3 organization that has been around for over 30 years.

NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
c/o Hope for Choice Fund
12000 Shaker Blvd.
Cleveland, Ohio 44120

If you can not donate right now, we understand. We urge you to donate hours, let your voice be heard, and stand up for the equality and safety of all women and the doctors that serve them. Write your own blog, write a letter to the editor, volunteer. The movement needs you now.

Thank you for keeping choice and safety for women in your hearts.
We love you for it.