NEWS

Organized by an ad hoc group of Davidson women, the Rally featured seven speakers who shared their experiences and expertise about health and reproductive justice.

Emcee Meg Kimmel began by recognizing that the battle for the federal right to a safe and legal abortion was fought and won 50 years ago, recognized as a constitutional right by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade and ensuring that access to abortion is constitutionally protected.

“Today we stand on the shoulders of those who led that fight, proud to support protecting this human right here in North Carolina and working to reclaim it nationwide,” she said.

She also emphasized that protecting reproductive rights is a non-partisan issue, saying that protecting this right is important to women, men, non-binary folks, and anyone who is able to become pregnant.

Speakers

Dr. Hillary Robinowitz-Elins is a board-certified ob/gyn physician with just over 20 years’ experience in caring for women throughout their reproductive lives, from puberty through menopause. Dr. Elins recounted her medical perspective on reproductive rights, autonomy, and the crucial importance of the doctor-patient relationship.

Georgia Ringle has a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University, concentrating on maternal and child health. She retired from Davidson College 33 years serving the student community as a health educator, creating the college’s health education program with the support of the Dean of Students office and The Duke Endowment. Before she joined our community in the 1980s, Georgia worked at Tulane’s center for student health as a health educator.

Tracy Mattison Brandon is serving her first term as a Town of Davidson commissioner. With over 35 years of experience in leadership, community involvement, and ministry, she earned a master’s degree in Christian Ministries at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She serves as an associate minister at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Davidson and as a campus minister with Davidson College’s Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

Nancy Fortin is a Davidson senior from southern New Hampshire, majoring in political science and minoring in philosophy. Nancy, president of the Davidson College Democrats, shared her perspective as a college student, citing the experience of her friends and the reality for women who attend college in states without reproduction freedoms.

Pam Pearson has been an advocate for women’s rights – in particular, reproductive rights — for most of her adult life. She joined the Lillian’s List board in 2006 before joining the board of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic in 2012, eventually becoming the board chair. Pam continues to work as an ally and supporter of the organization today. She works today for a non-partisan voting rights non-profit. Pam considers the erosion of reproductive freedom to be the most consequential challenge to reproductive rights in her lifetime.

NC Senator Natasha Marcus, elected to the NC Senate in 2018, lives in Davidson and represents Senate District 41, which includes north and northwest Mecklenburg County. Natasha is an attorney, mother of two adult daughters, and her goals are to address the decades-long under-funding of public education, embrace renewable energy initiatives, pass common sense gun safety reform, protect women’s reproductive freedom, and protect voting rights and fair elections. in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Christy Clark was elected in 2018 to represent House District 98, with a pledge to put people before politics. She is now running to return to the General Assembly, where she dedicated her time to advocating for common sense gun laws and protecting victims of domestic violence. She is a passionate advocate for women and children. As a cancer survivor, affordable healthcare for every North Carolinian is a top priority. She also made public education, ending gerrymandering, and standing up for bipartisanship a focus of her service.

Election Day is November 8, with early voting starting Thursday, October 20.

Where you can vote in Davidson on Election Day:

• Davidson Precinct 206 residents vote at the Davidson K-8 School.
• Davidson Precinct 127 residents vote at Hopewell Baptist Church

Early voting venues are:

• Cornelius Town Hall
• North County Regional Library by Exit 25 off I-77
• The Waymer Center in Huntersville

As emcee, Kimmel closed the event with a special thank-you to citizens who marched to the Town Green to support reproductive rights and to hear the experts on an issue of such paramount importance. She also thanked Shannon O’Geen, who lent her considerable leaderrship ability to organizing the event.

All were encouraged to vote!