July 13, 2021 – With major developments underway, we wanted to make sure you heard the following from1 us:
On June 28, NARAL Pro-Choice America’s board of directors voted to fully nationalize the organization, ultimately eliminating all 11 independent state affiliate organizations — a major change in the 50-year structure of the organization. We are concerned that a new DC-centric restructure will not effectively leverage the success of state-based organizations like NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, who has worked with trusted partners to lead the nation in advancing equitable reproductive health policies, including the Reproductive Parity Act (2018), Reproductive Health Access for All Act (2019), Comprehensive Sex Education (2020), and the Protecting Pregnant Patients Act (2021).
While much remains to be decided, the bottom line is NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is committed to continuing as a strong Washington-based organization with the same values, board, and staff that have served our communities for over 45 years. In fact, we believe this change will present us with new and limitless opportunities to meet the challenges ahead.
As we chart a new path forward, let’s remember what we’ve always known in Washington: change happens at the local level. Our team plans to remain focused on our shared mission: building community and grassroots power. Over the coming months, we will invite you to help us shape this once-in-a-generation opportunity to build something better, bolder, stronger, and more inclusive, to truly center most-impacted communities in Washington. Because, together, our movement is greater than the sum of its individual parts. I see a future of abundance for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington with even more collective impact, empowered to do more to support communities within and beyond our state borders. We want to recognize that our organization is only a part of the ecosystem and we are excited to work with our partners to continue advancing reproductive freedom for all.
This news may be bittersweet, but as I reflect on my position as the Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, I am filled with gratitude, and cannot wait to embrace the challenges ahead with a Washington-strong and sustained movement of the future.
Please know our supporters are welcome to reach out with any questions or to share any feedback with our team.
Looking forward to the opportunities ahead,
Kia Guarino
Executive Director
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
kia@prochoicewashington.org
Sources:
- With Abortion Rights On The Brink, NARAL Splits Over New Direction, Huffington Post, July 13, 2021.
