This document is a statement by Melissa Mark-Viverito in support of Intro 371-A delivered to the New York City Council on March 2, 2011. She argues that the bill would help address reproductive health inequities faced by women of color by lessening the power of crisis pregnancy centers. She applauds the efforts of two Republican women in Wyoming, Lisa Shepperson and Sue Wallis, who have stood up for women's rights and choice despite pressure from their party. Mark-Viverito urges the Council to vote in favor of Intro 371-A to safeguard women's health and dignity.

1. CHAIR
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MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO PUBLIC HOUSING
YOUTH SERVICES
mviverito@council.nyc.gov COUNCIL MEMBER, 8th District
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF INTRO 371-A
DELIVERED ON THE FLOOR OF THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 2, 2011
I rise in support of 371-A. The social structure of our country has embedded inequities
that permeate throughout various areas of our lives. Intro 371-A is one way in which we
can positively address inequities in reproductive health, and lessen the power these
centers have over women—and in particular women of color. The National Latina
Institute for Reproductive Health provides research that clearly shows that African
American women and Latinas are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured and often
lack basic access to birth control and comprehensive sex education due to fundamental
structural inequities in society.
Our country is continuously being faced with controversial issues, and it is important
that we embrace measures that promote choice and democracy versus exclusion and
degradation. It is important we remain committed to justice in thought and action, and
stray from archaic mindsets and theories. State Representative Lisa Shepperson and
State Representative Sue Wallis are both female Republicans in the Wyoming legislature
who have shed the burden of upholding Republican ideals that degrade me and all
women and seek to strip me and all women of having the ability to chose for themselves
what reproductive health options they will exercise. Instead, these two brave
Republicans are standing up for women’s rights in order to ensure women maintain
their ability to decide what happens with their bodies.
These women were bold enough to speak out against their party, which strives to limit
government’s interference in personal and business matters, yet does not afford
women and reproductive health the same respect.
I not only applaud Wyoming Reps Shepperson and Wallis, I applaud our Speaker and our
colleague Council Member Lappin for their valor in standing up for women—particular
women of color—in this city. In seeing this not as a pro-choice anti-choice issue, but as
one that safeguards the health and dignity of a woman’s choice and upholding the
justice we deserve. Thank you, and I urge my colleagues to vote to in favor of
Intro 371-A.