CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The annual Roe v. Wade Gala was held at Charleston’s Women’s Club Thursday night to celebrate and protect the 1973 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court giving women the right to have an abortion.
The 15th annual event was sponsored by WV Free, a pro-choice organization.
“It changed the lives of women across the country,” said Executive Director of WV Free Margaret Chapman-Pomponio of Roe v Wade. “We want to celebrate it because it really gives women autonomy and the right to live their lives with self-determination.”
Chapman-Pomponio said that the issue is important now more than ever during the Legislative Session, where she said bills had been introduced to curb what in her mind was a women’s rights issue.
“Unfortunately, even though it is still the law of the land, there are politicians that are introducing bills to chip away at that landmark decision.”
Letetia Jackson, the keynote speaker at Thursday night’s gala, felt that political posturing had a lot to do with attacking abortion rights.
“Every year prior to a national election and the year of a national election, women’s health and women’s rights; reproductive rights and reproductive justice issues are attacked in incredible numbers because it’s used as a wedge issue,” Jackson said.
Chapman-Pomponio was disturbed by certain bills that had been introduced in the legislature.
“To take access away from a woman, such as taking away Medicaid coverage for abortion care, taking away insurance coverage in the private place. A laundry list of bills,” she said. “Never before have I seen anti-women’s health legislation taken up as quickly and in such great number.”
Wetzel County Delegate Dave Pethtel, a supporter of WV Free, was on hand for the celebration to receive a Champion for Choice award.