The Lilith Fund

We envision a society in which equal access to abortion is guaranteed for all women, regardless of economic situation. The Lilith Fund believes in reproductive equity. The right to choose an abortion is meaningless without access to abortion services. Restrictions on abortion access and funding are discriminatory because they especially burden low-income women. We oppose all efforts to restrict abortion rights and are committed to fighting for access to abortion for all women.

Description:
What Does The Lilith Fund Do?

The Lilith Fund assists Texas women in exercising their fundamental right to abortion by removing barriers to access. Lilith provides:

Direct financial assistance and counseling to empower women seeking to terminate an unwanted pregnancy
Education and outreach within the community about reproductive rights
Why Does The Lilith Fund Exist?

The Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling made abortion legal for every woman in the United States. Unfortunately, the 1976 Hyde Amendment cut off federal funding for abortion care, creating a “dual standard” where the “right to choose” exists only for those who can afford it. One in every three women has an abortion, in a country where 12% of women live in poverty. Many low income women now find a safe, legal abortion beyond their reach and are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term.

History:
Lilith was started in 2000 by a group of young women who saw that legal access to abortion was not actually a reality for the many women who cannot afford the sudden cost, especially insurance rarely (or never in the case of Medicaid) covers abortion. Today, many of these young women are involved in law or medicine and are looking to bring in both enthusiastic younger folks and experienced older volunteers who seek a volunteer opportunity where the connection to the client is direct and immediate.

Contact people:

Rowan Hartin, Director, Community Outreach, (512) 299-6164, (email) Heather Busby, Board President, (email) Joanne Richards, Past President, (email)

Office fax number: (877) 659-4304

Address:

P.O. Box 684949 Austin Austin, TX 78768

Web Site: http://www.lilithfund.org

Last updated on September 1, 2009