Republicans wage war on women’s rights

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, making abortion difficult or impossible in Republican controlled states. Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court intends to lead the court to criminalize use of birth control.

Republicans want to limit women’s role in business and government by keeping them pregnant. What next? Will they follow the Taliban’s lead by preventing women’s education beyond grammar school?

Republicans are also proposing laws to allow prosecution of women who travel across state borders for an abortion and laws that eliminate the opportunity for them to obtain FDA approved abortion pills through the mail. This is forced birth.

What will happen to all the unplanned, unwanted pregnancies? Will mothers living near poverty level be able to afford housing, food and medical care? Republican legislators have already displayed their unwillingness to provide monies for this care.

Women fought for the right to vote a century ago. I thank the suffragettes for their monumental efforts in accomplishing this. Now women must fight for freedom.

Women, if you wish to keep control your own body, your way of life, even your voting rights, do not let Republicans succeed in these efforts. The issue is obvious and evil. Vote for legislators who will protect women’s rights including more women for both state and federal legislatures.

— Diane Wood, Longmont

Girls State prepares future leaders

What can we do as a country to be sure that our future leaders are ready to serve? I have one suggestion. Encourage all girls who have completed their junior year to consider attending American Legion Auxiliary Colorado Girls State. What is that? It is a national program and is held in every state. It is a weeklong civic engagement course. ALACGS will be held this year at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling and will run from June 15 to June 20. Applications are due by May 15.

The program is fully funded by local American Legion Auxiliary units, so there is no cost to the student. The CGS staff is a diverse group of women who are passionate about patriotism and female empowerment. During the week delegates run for mock public office, write, debate, and pass bills and attend panels consisting of guests from every level of government.

The application link can be found on the program website, alacolorado.com/girls-state.html. Information for Boys State can be found at www.colegionboysstate.org.

I have served as a counselor for nine years and can assure you that it is an outstanding program which affects the girls deeply. Here is what one local delegate said a few years ago: “Girls State will make you want to hear the other side. Because you need to. No one goes anywhere in this world if you aren’t willing to hear others out. This is what Colorado Girls State taught me.”

— Susie Bozella, Longmont