The Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation strongly opposes the new limitations upheld in the Texas legal system. This law bans abortion after 6 weeks, even in the case of rape or incest, and offers a $10,000 bounty to private citizens who sue anyone who has, performs, or "aids and abets" an abortion after 6 weeks. For more details on this egregiously unconstitutional law, see this NPR article. To learn more about attacks on reproductive justice and women's health across the country, visit the Planned Parenthood website.

We urge Unitarian Universalists of all gender expressions to be part of efforts to challenge this law and ensure that safe abortions remain available. You can give your time and money at local clinics, or get give to national advocacy groups working to protect reproductive justice. A few resources:

• Pro-Choice Public Education Project
  
• National Network of Abortion Funds 
  
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund 
  
• Watch a video that explains the impact of legislation that limits access. Share it with friends or congregations
  

The 2021 UU Women's Breakfast was held virtually on Wednesday, June 23rd, just as GA was opening. Watch the video here. Highlights include an introduction to recent Clara Barton honorees, information about the newly formed Elandria Williams Leadership Circle, and an interview with Rev. Qiyamah Rahman about her work collecting stories of Black UU Women.

This year's UUWF Annual Breakfast will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 23rd from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Central time. The program will include:

• Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman discussing her research on the voices and stories of Black Unitarian Universalist women.
• Interviews with members of the Clara Barton Sisterhood, women aged 80 and over who have been honored for their contributions to their congregations and communities.
• Delicious table topics and small group discussion.
• And much more!

Register now!

"As organizations committed to ensuring all people can access reproductive health care, including abortion, however much money they make, no matter where they’re from, or whatever their race or gender, we believe that each of us should be able to make decisions about pregnancy and parenting that are best for our families without political interference. However, policymakers have enacted bans on insurance coverage of abortion that push this decision out of reach for many, particularly those working to make ends meet. To this end, we urge our legislators to put forth appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year 2022 that does not include bans or restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion."

Read full letter here. 

UUWF challenges UU women to explore feminism through an anti-racist lens and join us in seeking deeper understanding of the harm of White Feminism and the wisdom and leadership of women of color in the women’s movement. To do this work, we need to understand our roles in upholding white patriarchy and, in the case of white women, do so without depending on the labor of BIPOC women. We also need to embrace the wisdom and leadership of women of color for a more intersectional, inclusive, and just approach to women’s liberation.

The deadline for entries is March 22, 2021. Full details available here.

Dear Friends,

Sadly, it has come to our attention that former UUWF Executive Administrator Ellen Spencer passed away earlier this month. Ellen was a vital and consistent part of the UUWF leadership team for almost four decades.

During an interview in 2007, she said that she worked with the UUWF because, “I need to feel that what I am doing with my life is somehow helping make some small part or parts of the world ‘better’ … closer to a place where the innate worth and dignity of every person is not only recognized and celebrated, but nurtured and helped to flourish.”

As we have witnessed the unprecedented spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the UU Women's Federation is committed to advocating for a United States where catching a preventable illness and seeking medical care does not bankrupt a person. Read more.

It is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the death of Betty Habach McCollum from COVID-19. Betty was a UUWF Board member since 2018 and a UU for over half a century, most recently at All Souls in NYC.

As her daughter so perfectly wrote, "The tragedy and heartache of the circumstances of her death will never overshadow her life which was full and rich and active. I know that if she could, she would have done anything to be with all of us for one more meal, one more holiday, one more summer at Sagamore and on Shelter Island, one more Woman’s Alliance meeting, one more UUWF meeting, one more mountain to climb, one more game of tennis or golf, one last lap in the pool, one more philharmonic concert, opera, ballet, museum exhibit or Broadway show. She is leaving us with so many wonderful memories and as a model of how to live life to the fullest."

The UUWF transitional board is devoting considerable effort to listen to UU women across the country. Click here to learn how you can participate.

With great sadness we share the news of the passing of former UUWF President Phyllis Rickter. In the words of (also former President) Nancy Van Dyke, "Phyllis was a constant, a mentor, a friend, an incomparable listener and supporter. Feminism, UUism, UUWF, she touched many lives, hearts and issues! She is so missed."

Full obituary here.