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Within hours of the Dobbs decision on June 24, 2022, about a quarter of the congregants of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fullerton were out in the streets protesting.
But what could our small congregation in Orange County, California, do next to make a difference?
The stage for activism had been partially set. We’d had good representation at all the Women’s Marches since 2017. Our minister, Rev. Dr. Jason Cook, was a member of Concerned Clergy for Choice through our local Planned Parenthood, and several congregants had helped organize or participated in a local march to protest the ban on abortions in Texas the summer before.
The Social Action Committee set a goal to have a two-year campaign for reproductive justice. We began by participating in the UUA webinars on reproductive justice and discussing ways to support the right to choose that made the most sense for our congregation.
We decided to raise money to help those living in states where abortions were banned travel from their homes to California for their healthcare. To start off, we had monthly small fundraisers, such as lunches and bake sales. A number of congregants who were not part of the Social Action Committee got involved with providing food and baked goods for these events. We averaged about $600 at each fundraiser.
Our “Justice” piggy bank sat at the back of the sanctuary each week collecting congregants’ small change, and we had a special collection on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
As part of our UU the Vote campaign in 2022, we worked on Proposition 1, the ballot measure that made abortion a legal right in the California constitution.
The UU congregation in Fullerton is fortunate to have many talented and creative folks, and two congregants wrote plays on the theme of reproductive justice. One of the plays, Annunciation, by Christina Garner, explored people’s reactions to their pregnancy test results in a 1980s low-income clinic. The second play, Ladies Night at Pippi’s Place, by Chance Vernon, was an irreverent and comedic look at motherhood and choice from the perspective of several female icons. Fullerton congregants filled the roles and performed for the larger community. Talented musicians from the congregation joined the event as entertainers as well.
As of September 2024, we’ve raised over $15,000 for reproductive justice, knowing that the monies we have provided will make a world of difference for the individuals who benefit from our fundraising effort—and that it will have a ripple effect to benefit their families, children, and others in their lives.
Our local Planned Parenthood has used $10,000 of our fundraising efforts for a matching grant with Concerned Clergy for Choice and other congregations in our local area that will support even more women.
UUCF and our Social Action Committee will continue working for reproductive justice, supporting every individual’s right to choose and honoring the inherent worthiness and dignity of all.