Roe v. Wade 40th Anniversary Dinner: TJSL is Well-Represented

January 28, 2013

Thomas Jefferson School of Law had a large group of attendees at the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Celebration held on January 24 by the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Choice. TJSL alumna Jenn Kish ’10 is the chair of the coalition.

The TJSL students who were present at the dinner are current members of Law Students for Reproductive Choice as well as past members who have graduated but are still active in reproductive justice because of their experiences at TJSL.

“The Roe v. Wade Dinner, with its theme of “Reproductive Justice, Then and Now,” was empowering, because it showed how far the reproductive rights movement has come since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973,” said attendee Susy Prochazka 3L.  “The event was also humbling, however, because it highlighted how much work still needs to be done to ensure that women have full access to these rights.”

This year, San Diego Attorney and reproductive rights champion Abby Silverman-Weiss was honored as the 2013 Defender of Choice.

“The 40th Anniversary Roe v. Wade Dinner program paid tribute to San Diego leaders who advocated for choice during an era when women had no access to legal abortions in the United States,” said Professor Joy Delman, who attended the dinner and is faculty advisor to LSRJ.  “California, and San Diego in particular, has always been at the forefront in protecting women’s rights and choice in matters of reproduction.  Ronald Reagan, as governor, legalized abortion in California in 1967, prior to the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v Wade.  Subsequent Supreme Court decisions concerning matters such as allowing women access to health clinics without having to endure direct confrontation by protestors, arose out of cases that were decided here or regulations first promulgated in California.  The dinner paid tribute to those who played fundamental roles in securing those rights, and provided inspiration to those younger guests who are interested not only in preserving those rights, but in ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunity and access in order to exercise reproductive justice.“

The turnout reflected the strong and active chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice at TJSL – both past and present members.

Who’s Who:

First Photo: (Left to Right)  Debbye Rosenthal ‘12, Melissa Cantu, Meghan Powell,  Susy Prochazka, Thomas Anderson,  Professor Joy Delman, Jessica Mulvaney,  Amanda Pollard, Erin Panichkul, Jessica Collins ’12.

Second: 2nd photo: (Left to right)Jessica Collins, Debbye Rosenthal, Jenn Kish ‘10, Thomas Anderson, Susy Prochazka, Amanda Pollard, Joy Delman , Jessica Mulvaney, Meghan Powell, Melissa Cantu