For over a generation, mainstream feminism has been at the forefront of the struggle to defend abortion rights. But with the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, the spotlight has fallen on a Washington-based feminist organization for whom his wife, Jane, volunteers: Feminists for Life. Points spoke last week with FFL president Serrin Foster.

Question:

The phrase "feminists for life" shatters familiar culture-war categories. How can one be a feminist but against abortion rights?

Answer:

Feminists for Life stands on more than 200 years of pro-life feminist history. Without known exception, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other early feminists condemned abortion in strongest terms because of their belief in the worth of all human beings.

Abortion betrays the basic tenets of feminism – nonviolence, nondiscrimination and justice for all. Abortion discriminates based on age, size, location and, sometimes, gender, disability or parentage.

It wasn't until the 1970s that the women's movement accepted abortion as a way to achieve equality in the workplace. The co-founders of NARAL – at that time it was called the National Association to Repeal the Abortion Laws – convinced the leaders of NOW [the National Organization for Women] that in order for women to achieve equality in the workplace, women basically needed to pass as men. After all, why should an employer be burdened by maternity leave, benefits, parental leave and other child care issues?

Sarah Weddington argued Roe vs. Wade in part that a woman could not possibly complete her college education if she were pregnant. Why can't she? Women aren't suddenly stupid because they are pregnant! Women can still read, write and think.

We refuse to choose between our education and career plans and sacrificing our children. All people are equal. All choices are not. Abortion is a reflection that we have not met the needs of women. Women deserve better than abortion.

Question:

Mainstream feminist organizations don't trust your group. Why can't feminists agree to disagree about abortion, but work together on shared goals, like equality in the workplace and flextime for working mothers?

Answer:

We have. During Jane Sullivan Roberts' term on our board of directors, FFL worked with other women's organizations and successfully advocated passage of the Violence Against Women Act, enhancing child-support enforcement and fighting child-exclusion provisions in welfare reform.

Earlier we worked on the Family and Medical Leave Act. FFL was able to make the crucial difference because of our ability to reach pro-life members of Congress – both Democrat and Republican. We have earned our feminist credentials.

Question:

Some of the mainstream pro-life organizations have not known what to do with you either. Why are they so uncomfortable, and what do you say to try to calm them down?

Answer:

I suppose the "f" word – feminist – made some uneasy, especially initially. But we have worked to educate other organizations about feminism's two centuries of opposition to abortion.

The early American feminists advocated legal protection for women and children from abortion. The women who fought for the rights of women also fought for our right to life. We proudly continue their legacy. Because of this, you'll find that many pro-life organizations now embrace our pro-woman, pro-life legacy.

Question:

What does Jane Roberts do for FFL, and how do you respond to pro-choicers who worry that her work for you signals that her husband, Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts, is a closet pro-lifer?

Answer:

Jane currently serves as legal counsel to Feminists for Life on a pro bono basis. From 1995 to 1999, she served as executive vice president on the board of directors of FFL. Jane is a brilliant attorney in her own right, specializing in technology transactions. Jane helped us with mostly nonprofit legal issues, with one exception.

In 1998, Jane prepared an affidavit for me in support of a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of teenage mothers in Kentucky who were denied membership in the National Honor Society. The judge agreed.

Women are independent thinkers. We all know couples who disagree politically with one another. Curiously, no one on the pro-life side seems to be concerned that Jane's feminist philosophy might influence John's decision-making! His ability to serve is the real issue.

You may contact Serrin Foster hrough the Web site www.feministsforlife.org.

Reprinted with permission from the Dallas Morning News