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Planned Parenthood, Abortion | 05/07/2009 8:15 am

Author Judy Blume Blasted After Soliciting Mother's Day Donations for Planned Parenthood

Acclaimed author of books many of your girls read when they were teens is battered by those saying it’s not right for her to use Mother’s Day to pull in money for abortion business.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Renowned author Judy Blume has created quite a stir among anti-abortion activists.

That’s because Blume sent an e-mail to supporters on behalf of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund this week, urging people to cherish and honor their mothers this Mother’s Day, not by giving mom flowers or taking her to a nice dinner, but by giving a donation to Planned Parenthood instead.

Blume, who wrote Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Blubber and Smart Women, is an international literary sensation, and wrote in the Planned Parenthood e-mail:

Say thanks. Say thanks this Mother’s Day with a gift that honors her courage by making a donation to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in her name … I’m a mom, and I’m also a writer and an activist. Nothing has made me prouder than seeing my own children — and really, all young people — grow up to be healthy, educated and in charge of their bodies and their lives … There is no organization that I know of that supports motherhood and all that it means more than Planned Parenthood.

In response, Catholic Media Review says it’s "really disappointed" at Blume’s move. Lifenews.com, which says Blume’s support of "the nation’s largest abortion business" is "devastating," urges people to bring their complaints to Blume via mail or her website. Their pro-life peers are "aghast."

Blume has been "inundated" with hate mail and phone calls from "anti-choice extremists," says Planned Parenthood. The organization wants supporters to send her electronic messages of support.

"We rarely respond to these outrageous attacks, but when it comes to Judy Blume, well, I can’t stand by and do nothing," writes PPFA President Cecile Richards. "Nothing — NOTHING — would make Judy happier than to know that the backlash has resulted in more support for Planned Parenthood and the women they serve."

38 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

S G
Good for her. Better a women makes her right to choose rather than abusing a child to death or allowing a boyfriend to do so . If you don’t want one don’t have one. Do not however try to take anothers choice away. I think her idea is wonderful.
By S G on 05/07/2009 8:29 am
Belinda Joy
When will people realize that Planned Parenthood is about far more than performing abortions.  That procedure constitutes a small fraction of their services. I applaud Judy for her unusual stand and attempt for donations in this regard. Goodness knows donations are needed in this current economic state, so if her voice can be a catalyst to that end, good for her.
By Belinda Joy on 05/07/2009 8:32 am
Susan S

Exactly Belinda Joy. I’m also sending my check in today. If women can’t support women, then we’re up —— creek in this world.

These personal issues used to be under the sole control of women (ie, their bodies) until males took over the medical profession once upon a time—midwives were accused of being witches and burned at the stake. If women can see this—how we’ve been divided and conquered, even in America, then it will go along way toward solidarity that’s needed in our world.

By Susan S on 05/07/2009 11:57 am
Chrome Toe
Go Judy! i’m sending in my donation today!!! great idea… back in the day when United Way quit including planned parenthood in their group of folks who automatically got money. I quit donating to United Way and started donating to planned parenthood directly. over the last few years they’ve kind of got lost in the shuffle of all the good causes that needed money. thanks for the reminder…
By Chrome Toe on 05/07/2009 8:34 am
Lila Kuh

Planned Parenthood provides counseling on healthy pregnancy, fertility, sexual health and STDs, healthy relationships, sexual orientation, contraception, and… oh, yes, also abortion.

Planned Parenthood is exactly what it sounds like.  Planning your parenthood.  Plenty of women have been helped to have a healthy baby and a healthy family life.  So, good for them and good for Judy for supporting them.

By Lila Kuh on 05/07/2009 8:39 am
f p
Exactly—well said. 
By f p on 05/07/2009 8:56 am
MK P

Let’s see, is there ever a time when the "pro-lifers" would think it was a good time to solicit donations for "abortions"?

Good for you, Judy.  =)

By MK P on 05/07/2009 8:44 am
Kristy B
People need to realize that PP is more than just abortions.  They provide an abundance of women’s health services.  Its sad these people don’t want to hear about the other services that they provide.
By Kristy B on 05/07/2009 8:51 am
MK P
Yes……but think about all the posts on the Obama speaking at the ND graduation thread — the "pro-lifers" are fixated on ONE issue……nothing else matters.   Rational, no — but, you cannot expect rational thought from irrational people.
By MK P on 05/07/2009 9:31 am
Mary Quite-Contrary
Irrational people? So much for tolerance of the opinions of other and their ability to express same. I have no comment on Judy Blume making any statement she wishes to…in honor of Mothers’ Day or Arbor Day…nor do I take issue with those (here) who support her or PP. What I do find exceptions to, is the little swipe there at those who have voiced their displeasure at the Notre Dame Commencement debacle. Apparently those who respect and honor faith stances can easily be impugned. The irony of the intolerance of the “tolerant” when presented with any idea outside of their world view is what is irrational…
By Mary Quite-Contrary on 05/07/2009 9:49 am
Diana T
If that is the type of site you depend on for correct and objective information, you’re going to have to do better than that. 
By Diana T on 05/07/2009 11:28 am
billy kess
OK,what do you consider to be correct and objective information? Anything that allows for abortion? Can’t a prolife site be correct, too? Was the Lila Rose video incorrect? When thousands of women march saying they regret their abortions, is that not real? I know this is a touchy subject, but still… I hope we can all agree that the born alive bill should be passed.
By billy kess on 05/07/2009 9:24 pm
Georgia Eliot

Most who choose abortions have regrets; we just don’t all feel the need to get out in the streets about it. What’s truly regretful is women are still having to fight for the simple human right to take care of their health and their families. Even more regretful are the many men who have made a career of being bullies and terrorists to gain control over women by controlling their health care. Your screen name is male so I’ll address you as a male: why don’t you get on the vasectomy bandwagon? It’s a much simpler procedure for men than for women to have their tubes tied; no hormones to be ingested, and since men are fertile long past when women are, it’s a better deal for the money too. And it has the advantage of being a man addressing men about men’s health, cause all I want to say to you is stay out of my womb.

The "born alive" bill is a manufactured "crisis" to keep those dollars flowing to the political anti-abortion movement and another attempt to give a fetus legal standing. So, no, we don’t all agree that it should be passed. Rules about medical procedures should be made by those who create standard practice procedures and enforcement should be done by the appropriate agencies. I don’t want a lawyer making my health care decisions and I have alot more faith in my doctor than I do in you.

By Georgia Eliot on 05/07/2009 10:49 pm
billy kess

Born alive bill means that once the baby is out of "your womb", and still alive, we should do all we can to save it. How can anyone be against that. And stop with the same old rhetoric that men who are prolife are in it for the control over women. That’s ridiculous. What about prolife women? And I am not talking about the health of a mother. Another line being used to justify the millions and millions and millions of babies killed for convenience - when there is no health threat to the mother. Those are the ones I am talking about for the most part. Health care? It’s not health care. It’s some young girl who made a mistake and now she doesn’t want to deal with it. That’s over 95% of abortions. And by giving her an abortion, you are putting her health in MORE DANGER than allowing the baby to be born the way nature intended.

Another ridiculous assumption that prolife somehow equals anti-health care. And my gender has nothing to do with this.  

Suppose I was a prolife woman from feministsforlife.org, then what would your argument be? You can’t justify the taking of an innocent human life because the person who is opposed to it happens to be a male - when there are women opposed to it as well.

A baby, just because it is in your womb, does not give you the right to kill it. And one day, it may not be in our lifetimes, but one day, we will look back on this and say how could we have allowed such a horrible thing to be legal?

http://exposeplannedparenthood.com/

 

By billy kess on 05/08/2009 3:03 am