SisterSong: Party Like It's 1863

I'm in Atlanta at the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Rights membership meeting. How exciting it is spending the weekend with 350 wonderful women of color -- the energy here is palpable. The SisterSong Obama Celebration is scheduled for tonight, but it's actually been going on all day!

Loretta Ross, the national director, opened the day with a stirring presentation, followed by an excellent election update from Dazon Diallo Dixon. These are two of my favorite women. It would be hard not to like their energy and their passion for justice. Dazon told the audience that tonight they would "party like it was 1863." (When the Emancipation Proclamation became law.)

The opening plenary focused on healthcare as a human right. Probably the most poignant presentation was delivered by Imani Walker, from The Rebecca Project, who talked about the challenges women who for a myriad of reasons find themselves "self medicating" -- and in her case pregnant. Giving birth in prison is difficult enough, but going through labor and giving birth while in shackles is inhuman. Walker shared her personal story with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), and together they are working to change the laws at both a federal and state level.

I know money is tight for a lot of us right now, but if you have a few extra dollars be sure to send them SisterSong's way!