This year, we mark the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade—a celebration that coincides with what we hope will be a pivotal year for political change.

In 2006, Americans acted on their pro-choice values and altered the political landscape—restoring pro-choice leadership to Congress and statehouses across the country.

As we commemorate Roe, we resolve to protect our gains and not lose sight of the importance of making sure fair-minded leaders who will stand up for the values of freedom and privacy are in positions of power.

George W. Bush's legacy of hostility is a stark reminder of what can happen when our country is under anti-choice control. He appointed two anti-choice members of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, both of whom voted in April 2007 to uphold the Bush-backed Federal Abortion Ban. This decision effectively reversed Supreme Court precedent and rolled back a key protection for women's health that had been guaranteed since Roe.

The next president could have the power to appoint several new Justices—and members of Congress and state legislatures alike could use decisions made under a reconfigured Court to further advance their attacks on choice.

Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States provides the most comprehensive snapshot of both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. You will see many statistics and analyses of trends and ask yourself what it all means.

In the spirit of this question, I want to share with you a story about my friend—Dr. Susan Wicklund of Montana, who lives in a small town at the foot of the Crazy Mountains. You can travel 100 miles in this part of the country and never see another person.

One day a week, Susan drives 352 miles one way to see patients at a women's health clinic in Kalispell. That's the distance between Washington, D.C. and Cleveland, Ohio. Susan travels some of the most winding, treacherous roads in America because she believes all women deserve reproductive health care and those who live in small towns are no exception. Without Dr. Susan Wicklund driving 352 miles out and 352 miles back—week in and week out—Roe would be meaningless to these women.

Susan's story is an especially compelling testament to why we produce Who Decides?. It's about the reality of choice. It's about what we must do to ensure that all women can make their own personal, private decisions and fully know the promise of Roe.

We provide this information to legislators who stand up—sometimes in hostile environments—against attacks on choice to show them they aren't alone. We provide this information to the young activist women and men who take a day off from work or their college classes to lobby their lawmakers in support of pro-choice legislation. We provide this information to elected officials who proudly cited their pro-choice credentials when running for office to show them why pro-choice gains make a difference.

So, my hope is that the pages in this publication both inform and inspire you to take action, to tell your own story of what you will do to protect choice for future generations.

Sincerely,

President
NARAL Pro-Choice America