Roe v. Wade celebration held at The Blue Note

By Robby Lewis

Published Jan. 29, 2008

In celebration of 35 years since the Supreme Court ruled on one of the most monumental abortion rights cases in history, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri held a celebration of the court ruling of Roe v. Wade.

The event, held Friday night at The Blue Note, included several pro-abortion rights speakers, the local Columbia band Stingrays and a lot of food.

Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri spokeswoman Michelle Trupiano, who planned the celebration, hopes this will help inspire the younger generation to remember the importance of the event.

“We hope it encourages the young crowd to get involved,” Trupiano said. “For a lot of younger people, abortion has been safe and legal since they were born. By coming to these events they see how far we’ve come and that it can be taken away at any time. It is important for the younger crowd to stay committed.”

Trupiano said that just because abortion is legal, it doesn’t mean that it is easily accessible.

“There are several anti-choice organizations that try to limit access to abortion,” Trupiano said. “It is legal, but it remains virtually inaccessible for many women.”

Robin Blake, emeritus professor of family and community medicine at MU, has spoken at several pro-abortion rights rallies in Columbia. Blake said it is important for everyone to remember this event.

“Roe v. Wade was incredibly valuable to affirming the constitutional right it gave to women,” Blake said. “It gave women a degree of reproductive freedom and control over their own bodies. It allowed women to make decisions instead of the government.”

Blake also said the younger generation needs to remember this event because the rights we have did not come easily.

“It is crucial for young people to realize what is at stake,” Blake said. “Freedoms and rights do not come easy, whether they are reproductive rights or other constitutional rights.”

Sean Spence, the chief of staff for State Auditor Susan Montee, said during his speech that he is pro-abortion rights simply because he never understood why the government should have a say in a woman’s right to choose.

Second-year law student Shayla Smith was pregnant in college and she spoke about her firsthand experience during her speech.

“Roe v. Wade gave me a voice,” Smith said. “It gave me the right and the choice to do what I wanted with my body.”

Former state representative Chris Kelly said people need to quit worrying about the policies and start worrying about the people it affects.

“It’s not just about policies,” Kelly said. “It’s about our mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces and best friends.”

Wes Wingate, who sings and plays guitar and piano for Stingrays, said the band wanted to play at the event because of their respect for Planned Parenthood.

“We are firm believers in the importance of Planned Parenthood,” Wingate said. “We feel they are a very noble organization.”

Wingate added that it is the responsibility of anyone in the public eye to help bring attention to events that stand up for constitutional rights.

“Any time you can use a public standing to be an advocate for human rights I think it’s good,” Wingate said. “I feel it is the responsibility of an artist or any person in the public eye to do so.”

Trupiano said Planned Parenthood does many more events throughout the year.

“We normally celebrate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade,” Trupiano said. “Throughout the year we put on a lot of events. It may be a large rally or a smaller discussion-type event.”

Trupiano said the goal at all of these events is always the same.

“I hope that the people get energized, commit to voting and stay true to the pro-choice movement,” Trupiano said.