Spotlight on Reproductive Rights: Femcare to Close, Transition Services to Planned Parenthood

ASHEVILLE - Recognizing the political challenges in today’s environment, Femcare has been in conversation with Planned Parenthood for several months, according to Lorraine Cummings, M.D., owner of Femcare, in a public statement on March 18.

Both parties want to ensure that women in Western North Carolina have strong, long-term access to full GYN health options, including abortion.

With that mutual goal in mind, in the coming year Femcare will shift its abortion services to Planned Parenthood.  During the time of transition Femcare will continue to provide abortion services, but will not see new gynecology patients.

Femcare has offered comprehensive reproductive health services in the region since 1985.  Similarly, Planned Parenthood has played a role in meeting women’s health care needs in Western NC and their patient base is rapidly increasing, providing over 3,000 medical visits during the past fiscal year.

• News Story about McCrory administration's targeting of Femcare from March 13 by Carolina Public Press, reprinted from North Carolina Health News:   http://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2014/03/13/documents-disclose-political-pr-pressure-surrounding-asheville-abortion-clinics-suspension/

• Current ACLU News about Reproductive Rights in North Carolina:  https://www.acluofnorthcarolina.org/index.php/Reproductive-Rights/Categories/Listings/reproductive-rights.html

Gender Bias is Critical Issue in March 29 event to benefit Aura Home for Asheville's Female Veterans

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Women in the U.S. Armed Services are often a silent group of abused and invisible members of our society, says Debbie Metcalf, president of Asheville NOW. 

For the past three years, Asheville NOW has challenges this position, demanding equality for women veterans who need and deserve a place of their own to transition back into society. 

"These women dedicate their lives to service, living and working in a male-dominated environment," she says. "Many come home to find themselves without a home." 

The Veterans Restoration Quarters, funded by federal tax dollars, does not allow women access the facility, despite their veteran status and honorable discharge after years of service. 

"This is a straightforward gender discrimination issue," says Metcalf. "The male veterans have federally funded transitional house and the female veterans do not."

The creation of the Aura Home, a transitional home for female veterans, is today spearheaded by former Asheville NOW member Alyce Knaflich. The project has the support and backing of AMVETs, and is endorsed by Asheville NOW.

The March 29 Asheville fundraiser will benefit Aura Home through these combined efforts, featuring speakers, documentaries, direct access to sponsors and information, and more, .

Asheville Women's fight for ERA featured on AskAsheville

Read the full text story at
http://www.askasheville.com/asheville-news/asheville-western-nc-women-want-equal-rights-amendment-on-nc-agenda.

Asheville NOW, A Voice for Women, Is On Facebook

The Facebook Community of Asheville's National Organization for Women needs 100 "likes" in order to rank on the social community's search engines and be eligible for a customized email linking to the page. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheville-NOW-A-Voice-For-Women/110256109052084 to join the conversation on Facebook.

Once you join the community at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheville-NOW-A-Voice-For-Women/110256109052084, you'll have the opportunity to ask your friends to join.

Please consider reaching out to the women in your life who are concerned with issues related to women's rights, gender equality, and health, among others, and ask them to join the Facebook group, which is open to members and non-member supporters alike.

To learn more about NOW in Asheville, go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheville-NOW-A-Voice-For-Women/110256109052084.