On Thursday, June 23, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, the landmark law that provided equal rights in accessing sports and education, regardless of gender. The effort to establish Title IX was led by Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink, who was the first woman of color elected to Congress, and it was signed into law by President Nixon. Today, the law’s impact is obvious: Our country has made tremendous progress in ensuring that everyone has equal access to the same opportunities, and can participate in the same activities. Despite how far we’ve come, however, we know there’s more work that needs to be done to prevent any and all discrimination on the basis of gender.
As we reflect on the progress we have made toward gender equality, it’s impossible to ignore how at the same time, this country has taken a sharp turn backward. Just a day after the anniversary of Title IX in June, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, almost immediately stripping millions of people of the right to reproductive health care and bodily autonomy. Some states that had put in so-called “trigger laws” had abortion bans take effect just days after the decision was handed down. This came on the heels of months of states passing additional bans on abortions, not even allowing exceptions in instances of rape or incest.
To say that the weeks that have followed this decision have been difficult would be an understatement. I’ve heard from so many Mainers who are in disbelief that just a few individuals could make the decision to roll back the clock 50 years and strip these rights away. Many people who care about the right to reproductive freedom feel hopeless, like no matter what they do, it’s a useless effort. I can wholeheartedly understand why they feel that way. But I’m here to say that we can’t give up — we must keep fighting and making it clear that this is unacceptable. I was proud to march alongside Mainers of all stripes in Portland back in June to stand up for what we care about.
It’s important that you know that Maine law still protects the right to an abortion, and the Supreme Court’s decision does not affect us at this point. I am extremely grateful for this fact. But let me be clear: This can change. In the Legislature, my colleagues and I have voted down bills that would have restricted access to abortion, similar to those we’ve seen become law in other parts of the country. This was only possible because a majority of my colleagues in Augusta support the right to reproductive freedom, and know that lawmakers shouldn’t be the ones dictating an individual’s health care decisions. At the same time, we passed new laws to support children and families. We passed one to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, to 40,000 Maine kids, and another to require state-regulated insurers to cover fertility treatments. We also increased the amount of time new mothers can receive postpartum care up to 12 months from just 60 days, and finally, we’re working to develop a paid family and medical leave program here in Maine, which would ensure parents can get time off from work to deal with emergencies that come up.
In November, every member of the Legislature will be up for election, and we need to ask them: Do you support the right to access a safe, legal abortion? Those of us who care about this right need to prioritize it as we head to the ballot box. While action on the federal level would be best, we surely cannot rest our hopes on that. We need to fight right here in Maine and every other state if we’re going to protect the right to reproductive freedom. I am fully committed to doing everything in my power to do so while I represent you in the Maine Senate.
If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at Stacy.Brenner@legislature.maine.gov or at (207) 287-1515.
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