Two months after Roe was overturned, a reproductive rights fundraiser is planned in Sheboygan as 40 Days for Life nears in September
SHEBOYGAN - 8th Street Ale Haus, 1132 N. Eighth St., is helping host a “Scrumptious Apps for Social Awareness” event to raise funds for reproductive rights from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The event will be at the Uptown Sheboygan Parklet between 8th Street Ale Haus and Paradigm Coffee and Music.
Jacqualyn Zolp, chef and event organizer, will be making appetizers like rainbow deviled eggs, nuoc cham salad and Wagyu corn dogs. There will also be drinks, shirts for sale and a silent auction featuring items from local businesses like Elevate Yoga, Symmetry Salon and Wild Root Acres.
With the United States Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, Zolp said she wanted to do something to support reproductive freedom and help the community, state and nation.
Zolp decided to have proceeds from the fundraiser go to UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy group focused on driving feminist cultural and political change, according to its website.
She said she wanted to donate to an organization that would help implement change for the future.
“I think it's important because there's organizations out there that are just focused on making the political changes and raising the awareness, so if I can just raise as much money (and) ... give it to people who are working towards what I believe in, and I think would make a better future for everybody, that's kind of their … area of expertise,” Zolp said.
Other Sheboygan businesses have also hosted events related to reproductive rights since the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
Chicory Root Tattoo Studio partnered with Paradigm to host a tattoo flash event as part of the nationwide “My Body My Choice Flash Event” July 31, donating proceeds to the National Network of Abortion Funds. Several tattoo options for customers featured “1973,” “Pro-Roe” and “My Body, My Choice.”
Planned Parenthood Wisconsin is also still making efforts to connect people to abortion resources.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned nearly two months ago, Lisa Boyce, senior communications adviser with Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, said the number of Wisconsin patients traveling to health care centers in Illinois has increased 10 times over their previous average.
“This is clear evidence that abortion restrictions and bans do not stop people from having abortions. Restrictions and bans only make it harder for people to access essential reproductive health care where they live,” Boyce said in an email.
Planned Parenthood in Sheboygan is still providing family planning services like access to birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and miscarriage management, but people are seeking abortions in neighboring states Illinois and Minnesota, where abortions are legal, because Wisconsin state law makes abortions illegal unless in cases where an abortion is deemed necessary to save the life of the mother.
Through a partnership with Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Boyce said Planned Parenthood Wisconsin doubled the capacity for abortion care at the Waukegan, Illinois, location. She said the partnership has also allowed Planned Parenthood Wisconsin to utilize telehealth appointments to expand abortion and family planning services across the state.
“The dignity and value of an unborn child does not depend on what state his/her mother and father live in,” Germaine Souik, leader of the Sheboygan branch of 40 Days for Life, said in an email. “We continue to pray for all expectant parents and for healing for those who have had abortions."
Souik expressed support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June.
“Our prayers have been answered and this decision is a move toward the protection of the unborn from conception,” Souik told the Sheboygan Press. “We will continue to support life-affirming women's health centers, and the strengthening of marriages and families."
The Sheboygan branch will be participating in the 40 Days for Life campaign this September, Souik said.
Small groups of 40 Days for Life members try to pray year-round when the Sheboygan Planned Parenthood is open, but it also holds 40-day campaigns to end abortion in the spring and fall. The campaign will begin Sept. 28 this year. Those wishing to participate can contact 40 Days for Life at 40days4lifesheboygan@gmail.com.
Zolp said she was very surprised when she heard about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“... It seems like a step backward for everybody. It seems like a step backward for our society and also concerns me moving forward I think as a female in the world,” Zolp said. “(It’s) troubling because I'm losing some of my rights potentially.”
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan after Roe: Abortion rights event, 40 Days for Life planned
