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NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia records

 Collection — Box: Restricted
Identifier: W072

Scope and Content of the Records

The records of NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia (originally as Georgia Abortion Rights Action League), 1964, 1980-2006, document the direction and administration of the organization, its involvement in the political process in the state, the projects and programs it undertook to further its mission, and materials it gathered regarding reproductive health and rights, activism in Georgia, and political issues. The records include correspondence, printed material, minutes, legal documents, photographs, artifacts, and audiovisual recordings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1964, 1973-2006

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research. Access to certain files is restricted as noted in the inventory.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

History of NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia

NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia described itself as "the political arm of the pro-choice movement." The non-profit organization engaged state and national politics in order "to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion." Incorporated in 1980 as the Georgia Abortion Rights Action League (GARAL), it was the Georgia affiliate of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), which had been established in 1969 as The National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws. For much of GARAL's existence, the president of NARAL was Kate Michelman, who served 1985-2004. NARAL's state affiliates build local grassroots organizations, develop and support pro-choice policy and leadership in the states, and insure that pro-choice strategies are coordinated. GARAL created a separate non-profit entity, the Georgia Abortion Rights Action League Education Foundation (with Internal Revenue Service status as a 501(c)(3) organization), to pursue strictly educational, not policy-based, goals. In 2003, when the national organization shortened its official name to NARAL Pro-Choice America, GARAL took the name NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia and the foundation was renamed the NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia Educational Foundation. NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia dissolved in 2007.

Governed by an elected board, NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia employed an executive director and other staff members, though it relied upon volunteers. The Development Committee oversaw soliciting financial support. The broad mission of the organization, ensuring reproductive choices for Georgia women, was to be achieved through both direct lobbying of the legislature and through affecting the electoral process. Specific goals of NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia included effective sex education, accessible birth control, pre- and postnatal care, and coverage of reproductive health issues in health care reform. It also worked toward providing public funding for abortions for those women who needed it, safe access to abortion providers, and continuing availability of abortion services in Georgia.

NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia's advocacy efforts included direct and grassroots lobbying, grassroots and internet organizing, coalition work, and media relations. NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia educated citizens about the political process, trained activists, created newsletters and other publications, organized political events, and served as "a pro-choice voice in the media" through press releases and interviews.

During the legislative session, NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia employed a full-time contract lobbyist who was at the Georgia Capitol every day tracking bills, creating strategy and writing weekly reports. It also sponsored an electoral program to evaluate, endorse, and help elect pro-choice candidates. The organization created its own political action committee, GARAL-PAC, a statewide, non-partisan organization dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates to the Georgia General Assembly.

NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia's staff and volunteers undertook numerous projects and programs, many of which were intended to encourage and train new activists and leaders in the reproductive rights movement. Examples include TORCH (a teen leadership program), the Women of Color Leadership Program, the Campus Organizing Program, and a Volunteer and Intern Program. In other instances, NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia undertook projects to research the availability of reproductive services and counseling in Georgia.

Executive Directors of GARAL and NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia included Janelle Yamarick (1990-1996), Beth Cope (1997-2003), Becky Rafter (2003-2006), and Dionne Vann (2006-2007). Other staff members over the years included Program Coordinator Roxanne Formey (1999-2001); Errin Vulay and Jennifer J. Sorrells, who served as Director of Organizing (2000-2001 and 2001-2002, respectively); and Ebony Barley, who coordinated several programs as Director of Communications and Community Relations.

Extent

70.1 Linear Feet (in 127 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

Incorporated in 1980 as the Georgia Abortion Rights Action League (GARAL), NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia was the Georgia affiliate of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). Its records, 1964, 1980-2006, document the direction and administration of the organization, its involvement in the political process in the state, the projects and programs it undertook to further its mission, and materials it gathered regarding reproductive health and rights, activism in Georgia, and political issues.

Arrangement

Arranged in fifteen series I: Administrative Files, 1980-2006 (3 subseries); II: Legislative, 1977-2006; Series III: Elections, 1981-2006 (3 subseries); IV: Legal, 1973-2002; V: Campaigns and Projects, 1964-2006; VIII: Events, 1994-2006; IX: Workshops and Training, 1977-2004; X: Development, 1993-2006; XI: Related Organizations, 1982-2007; XII: Subject Files, 1981-2006; XIII: Printed Materials, 1988-2006; XIV: Photographs and Audiovisual, circa 1980s-2005; XV: Artifacts and Textiles, 1992-2005.

Acquisition Information

Donated by NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia, curtesy of Sue Apolinsky, 2007.

Online Availability:

Several items have been digitized and are available online at Georgia State University Library Digital Collections.

Related Materials

Related Materials in Other Repositories

  1. The records of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) (ACC# 77-M189). Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA).
  2. Dorothy Sucher Collection (ACC# 96-40) Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries, Hornbake Library (College Park, MD)

Separated Materials

During processing, printed material was separated to Women's Printed Collections: Periodicals and books. For periodicals, see the Women's Printed Collection: Periodicals finding aid or the library catalog for access. For books, see the University Library online catalog for access.

Separated to Women's Printed Collection: Books

  1. Wilkinson, Signe, Abortion Cartoons on Demand (Philadelphia, PA: Broad Street Books, 1992) 2 copies
  2. Achieving Access and Reproductive Equity: Grass Roots Organizing Manual (Campaign for Access and Reproductive Equity, 2000)
  3. Choices: Women Speak Out About Abortion (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, 1997)
  4. The Contraception Report: A State-by-State Review of Access to Contraception (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, 2001) 2 copies
  5. Defending Reproductive Rights: An Activist Resource Guide (Somerville, MA: Political Research Associates, 2000)
  6. Facing a Future Without Choice: A Report on Reproductive Liberty in America (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, 1992) 2 copies
  7. Insurance Inequities: A State-by-State Review of Contraceptive Coverage (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, c.1999) 2 copies
  8. Gluckman, Ryn, Rachael Kamel, and Betsy Hartmann. eds. Militarized Zones: Gender, Race, Immigration, Environment ([Amherst, MA?]: American Friends Service Committee: Committee on Women, Population, and the Environment: Population and Development Program, Hampshire College, 2003)
  9. NARAL's 30th Anniversary Journal: 30 Years, Our History (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, 1999)
  10. Parental Notice Laws: Their Catastrophic Impact on Teenagers' Right to Abortion (New York, N.Y.: American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Reproductive Freedom Project, 1986)
  11. The Powers of the President: Reproductive Freedom and Choice (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, 2000)
  12. Promoting Reproductive Choices: A New Approach to Reproductive Health (Washington, D.C.: NARAL/The NARAL Foundation, 1994) 2 copies
  13. Protecting Reproductive Health Care for Low-income Women (New York, NY: Institute for Reproductive Health Access, 2002)
  14. Protecting Young Women's Lives: An Overview of the Devastating Consequences of Back Alley Abortion Laws (Washington, D.C: National Organization for Women)
  15. The Reproductive Rights and Health of Women of Color (Washington, D.C.: NARAL Foundation, 2000)
  16. Jaffe, Robert, Elizabeth Benjamin, Elizabeth Hickey. Reshaping Reproductive Health: A State-by-State Examination of Family Planning Under Medicaid Managed Care (New York, N.Y.: Institute for Reproductive Health Access, a program of the NARAL/NY Foundation, 2000) 2 copies
  17. Sexuality Education in America: A State-by-State Review (Washington, DC: NARAL Foundation, 1995)
  18. Tipping the Scales: The Christian Right's Legal Crusade Against Choice (New York, N.Y.: The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, 1998)
  19. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion Rights, [First Edition], 1989 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation)
  20. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion Rights, [Second Edition], 1991 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation)
  21. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion Rights, Third Edition, 1992 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  22. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion Rights, Fourth Edition, 1993 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  23. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, Fifth Edition, 1995 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  24. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, Fifth Edition: 1996 Supplement (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  25. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 6th Edition, 1997 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  26. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 7th/Special Edition, 1998 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  27. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 8th Edition, 1999 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  28. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 9th Edition, 2000 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  29. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 10th Edition, 2001 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  30. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 11th Edition, 2002 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation)
  31. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 12th Edition, 2003 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  32. Who Decides? A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights, 12th Edition Supplement, 2003 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation)
  33. Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights, 13th Edition /Executive Summary, 2004 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  34. Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States, 14th Edition, 2005 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  35. Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States, 15th Edition, 2006 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation)
  36. Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States, 16th Edition, 2007 (Washington, D.C: NARAL Foundation) 2 copies
  37. Women's Health USA 2005 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, 2005) 2 copies

Separated to Women's Printed Collection: Periodicals

  1. AACE Newsletter (Advocating Awareness for Choice and Equality), April 13, 1992
  2. Advice and Aid Pregnancy Problem Center, 2002
  3. Advocate, Vol.1, No.1 Winter 2003-2004
  4. Atlanta Pro-Choice Action Committee Update, 1992-1995
  5. Fierce, Bout 1, Round 2, Fall 2003
  6. Be Present, Inc. Newsletter, Fall 1995
  7. Bethune Tribune, Issue 7, 1st Quarter 2002
  8. Call to Action: The Quarterly Newsletter of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, 1994; 1995
  9. Campaign Update, Fall 2005
  10. Coalition: A Publication of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Fall/Winter 2003
  11. GARAL's Choice News, 1999-2001
  12. Maryland NARAL, Summer/FAll 2002
  13. Minnesota NARAL's Choice News, September 2002
  14. Choice Words (Republicans for Choice), Vol.1, No.1, First quarter, 1990
  15. Common Ground, Different Planes: Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights Women of Color Partnership Program Newsletter,1990-1991
  16. Conscience: A Newsjournal of Pro-choice Catholic Opinion, July 1981; Autumn 1996
  17. Counterattack: The Newsletter of Refuse & Resist! September 1992
  18. Creative Loafing issue on abortion, Vol.31, No.36, January 2003
  19. The Executive Female, May/June 1991
  20. Eye on Women: A Publication of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, Spring 1991
  21. Front Lines Research, June 1994; October 1996
  22. GARAL's Choice News, 2000; 2001
  23. Georgia Women's Monitor: A Publication of the Georgia Commission on Women, Vol.1, No.1, Fall 1995
  24. Georgian's For Choice Newsletter, Summer 2000; Autumn 2000
  25. Gwinnett Citizens for Choice: You Will Make the Difference, 1992-1993
  26. H.O.P.E.: Help, Opportunity, Peace, Empowerment (Georgia Advocates for Battered Women and Children), April 1994; August 1994
  27. LoveNotes (SisterLove, Inc.), Vol.2, No.2, Spring 1995
  28. Maryland NARAL Activist, 2001
  29. The MSFC Update: The Newsletter of the Medical Students for Choice, April 1999
  30. NARAL Pro-Choice California Newsletter, Vol.3, No.1, Winter 2006
  31. NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire Newsletter, February 2004
  32. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Choice News, Fall 2005
  33. Network News (Atlanta Women's Network), September-October 1990
  34. New Mexico Right to Choose News, Fall 1992
  35. News & Views (Atlanta Feminist Women's Health Center), Winter-Summer 1992; March/April 1998
  36. NNAF Newsletter, Fall 2003
  37. Owl Observer: National Newspaper of the Older Women's League, Vol.11, No.2, March/April 1991
  38. Pro-Choice Idea / Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion, August 1991
  39. Pro-Choice Minnesota News, Vol.1, No.1 March 2004; Vol.2, No.4, August 2005
  40. Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights Newsletter, Vol.18, No.2, Summer 1991
  41. Reproductive Freedom News, 1997-2000
  42. Savannah Citizens for Choice [newsletter], Vol.1, No.3, April 1990
  43. See It? Tell It. Change It (Third Wave), 1998-2003
  44. Sex, Etc.: A National Newsletter for Teens, 2005
  45. Sisters Coalition Newsletter, Vol.2, No.1, Spring 1991
  46. Southern California Review of Law and Women's Studies (Los Angeles, CA: Students of the Gould School of Law, Law Center, University of Southern California), Vol.10, No.2, Spring 2001
  47. Speak Out, Winter 2004
  48. Staying Abreast in Georgia: Quarterly Newsletter of the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition, 1994-1995
  49. Teen Activist Board Update (Washington NARAL Foundation), Issue 2, Fall/Winter 1999
  50. Update (Medical Students for Choice), April 2000
  51. Washington NARAL and Washington NARAL Foundation Choice News, Fall 2000
  52. WLDF News, Spring 1992
  53. Women's News & Narratives: The Newsletter of the Emory Women's Center, Vol.9, No.7, Autumn 1997

Processing Information

Processed by Hilary Morrish, Morna Gerrard, William Hardesty, and Amanda Pellerin at the file level, completed 2013.

Title
NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia:
Subtitle
A Guide to Its Records at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Hilary Morrish
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)