What if your entire state had but one abortion provider?  What if this one provider flew in just once a month from another state?  Imagine what that would mean for the women who live near the clinic.  Now imagine what it would mean for the thousands more who live one hour, two hours, seven hours away.  This is the unacceptable reality of abortion care for hundreds of thousands of women across the U.S. In 2009, AAP changed this reality in one of our project states.

AAP identified and recruited a clinician, Dr. Howard*, to participate in a medication abortion training in her state.  After training, our state-based organizer and partners followed up with the support and information she needed.  AAP was there to counsel her when she began working in the state's one abortion clinic.  And, AAP was there several months later when she asked for additional surgical training.  Now, inspired, trained and supported, Dr. Howard has become the only abortion provider working and living in her state - offering more regular and reliable access for women. 

Getting tossed out of two hospitals in a matter of days would not ordinarily be a career high point for an abortion rights organizer, but, for veteran AAP field organizer Nancy Foss, this experience was reinvigorating and evidence of success. Why?

"Most of the people I spoke with one-on-one in these situations were in support of the need for our program, but when it came to their group discussion, they became much more cautious and that's when the tide turned.  People are afraid to bring up abortion; they just don't even talk about it to colleagues.  I am breaking that silence.  Both hospital committees have probably now had their first formal conversation about abortion training because of my organizing. That is important."

Nancy's territory covers the rural communities of Aroostook County in Northern Maine, a population spread over vast expanses of land.  When needed, some women in these communities must travel over four hours to reach a healthcare provider who will provide her abortion.  This winter Nancy set out to organize an abortion training in "The County" for interested clinicians, as identified through AAP's reproductive health survey of rural clinicians.  Having had great success setting up similar trainings in Maine over the years, Nancy expected to run through her time-tested process for organizing the training.  That is, until the first wrench came flying her way.