"One of the reasons I work at Planned Parenthood is because, in so many ways, I'm lucky. My European parents gave me healthy messages about sexuality. As a teen, I had fairly good sex ed at school, excellent health care, and managed to get through my teens pretty much unscathed. I grew up enjoying what reproductive freedom could mean. But when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal abortion ban in April, the meaning of reproductive freedom drastically changed — especially for those not as lucky as I am.
"Sure, abortion is still legal in this country. But the court's decision struck a significant blow to reproductive rights. All of us who work for reproductive health and rights are disheartened and concerned about the future. As in all social justice work, there are cycles — high points and low points. Living with the low points can sometimes be easier if we gain strength from our heroes and 'sheroes.'
"A few days before the 2004 March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC, a number of Planned Parenthood of Georgia staff and volunteers met with our wonderful pro-choice representative and civil rights hero, John Lewis (D). We asked him what he thought we should do as an organization in light of our many challenges. He told us we had to keep going and keep fighting for what we believed in. These words of encouragement came from a man who had faced police dogs and water cannons, beatings and jail time in the pursuit of civil rights.
"So if our hero John Lewis says we should keep on going in the face of adversity, how can we not? The Supreme Court decision does feel as though someone has released the dogs, as though someone has turned the hoses on us. But together, as a movement, we have created change before, and we can create change again. Women and families all over this country are counting on us not to lose our resolve. With a lot of hard work, we will persevere." — Leola Reis, vice president, communications, education, and outreach, Planned Parenthood of Georgia, Atlanta
Mark Saretsky
"I've spent virtually all of my career in the financial services industry. While I can say I've been very proud of many of my accomplishments along the way, I always felt a bit like a fish out of water. I was frequently uncomfortable being a gay man with liberal political views in that stuffy corporate environment. I never really intended to stay, never hung a picture in my office until forced to select from the corporate offerings.
"A couple of years ago I retired from my last employer and at the request of a friend went to work for a large children- and family-focused social services agency in New York City. My eyes opened as I worked for the first time with people who were dedicated to helping others and not focused only on the bottom line. When the opportunity to work at Planned Parenthood presented itself I thought now, finally, I can use my skills at an organization that does extraordinary work, and where I can be comfortable being myself. I started in January 2006, it's still a thrill!" — Mark Saretsky, director of planning and budgeting, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY
Leola Reis
Mark Saretsky
