Women’s group marches for reproductive rights

APPLETON, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – Members of the Appleton Area National Organization for Women (NOW) attended a March Against Dobbs Sunday bringing awareness to challenges facing women’s reproductive rights.

The March Against Dobbs recognizes the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade through Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The Supreme Court issued that decision on June 24, 2022.

“The first reason why we’re marching is just to protest the chaos that that (the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision) has caused”, said Irene Strohbeen, acting president of the Appleton Area National Organization for Women. “Clearly, since that happened two years ago, we’re hearing more and more stories about women who need that form of health care.”

More than Roe V. Wade

Strohbeen said the march and rally afterward is more than a protest of the Dobbs decision. It is also about all reproductive rights and making sure that women have access to contraception.

“In early June, I was astounded to hear that the U.S. Senate turned down a bill that guaranteed the right to contraception for every woman in the United States,”  said Strohbeen. 

About 85 women and men marched from Pierce Park. Dozens more joined the marchers at Houdini Plaza in downtown Appleton. 

The Appleton Area NOW started in April. As a group they also focus on economic equality, ending violence against women, and other feminist ideals. Strohbeen said women have to fight for their rights.

“This is what we’re calling a slippery slope, and we don’t really see where it’s going to end,” Strohbeen said. “But, clearly to us, our rights are being taken away and we have to make our voices heard.”