Planned Parenthood of East Tennessee (PPET) will present an educational

pro-choice forum on Jan. 22 — the 26th anniversary of the famous Roe vs.

Wade Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.

The event, sponsored by Tennesseans for Choice and the Knoxville Center for

Reproductive Health, is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. at the Tennessee Valley

Unitarian Universalist Church located at 2931 Kingston Pike.

Knoxville News Sentinel columnists Ina Hughs (keynote speaker) and

Theotis Robinson, Jr. will be present along with Dr. Susan Dodd, Ob/Gyn and

former PPET president.

Aspects of reproductive rights on the state and national level will be one

of the discussed topics as well as the focus for a panel discussion.

“Even though we can never lift our guard against attacks from those who

would deny a woman the right to have reproductive choice, my hope is that

this nation can move beyond the relentless battle over abortion,” Diane

Humphreys Barlow, President of PPET said.

Dodd will discuss medical breakthroughs for abortion procedures, and

Robinson will speak about pro-choice threats on the national level.

A lecture concerning the threats to choice on the state level, the

development of a bill to protect abortion clinics, and priorities of the

Tennessee Association for Planned Parenthood Affiliates (TAPPA) will be

presented by Marlena Sanders, legislative liaison for the

organization.

“Congress and state legislators instead need to help Planned Parenthood

work on prevention, in order to reduce the need for abortion,” Barlow said.

“Our future course is clear — bringing family planning services to every

American family, and offering responsible, balanced sexuality education to

every young person.”

Donations will be collected to cover all expenses. Judy Roitman may be

contacted at 546-6110 in the Planned Parenthood offices for more

information.