Susan B. Anthony House

Feminists for Life received a lot of press attention at the time of Chief Justice Roberts' nomination, due to the fact that his wife, Jane Roberts, had been a board member and provided them with pro bono legal advice.  I just received a delightful announcement from FFL:

Pro-Life Feminist Purchases Birthplace of Susan B. Anthony

The birthplace of suffragist organizer Susan B. Anthony was sold at auction today, August 5, 2006, after unsuccessful efforts to find a buyer for the historic home in Adams, Massachusetts.

Carol Crossed, a member of the Board of Directors of Feminists for Life of New York, a Chapter of Feminists for Life of America, purchased the historic house.

While Feminists for Life of America will not own the house, the pro-life feminist organization will manage and care for the birthplace. FFL’s national office will remain in the Washington, D.C., area. A panel of experts will be assembled to determine the best use for the dwelling. Others who care about Susan B. Anthony will be provided a means to contribute ideas.

Feminists for Life continues the tradition of Susan B. Anthony and other early American suffragists who fought for women and children—born and unborn.

“Susan B. Anthony challenged us to address the root causes that drive women to abortion—the same problems that face women who parent today,” said FFL President Serrin M. Foster. FFL is dedicated to systematically eliminating the reasons that drive women to abortion—lack of practical resources and support—by challenging the status quo. “Women deserve better than abortion,” she added.

Feminists for Life uniquely works with people on both sides of a contentious debate to redirect energy toward woman-centered solutions. FFL focuses primarily on college campuses to address the unmet needs of pregnant and parenting students, including housing, child care, maternity coverage and telecommuting options. FFL’s College Outreach Program inspired federal legislation currently being considered, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnancy and Parenting Act. Stanton, together with Anthony, led the first women’s movement.

FFL has also worked alongside other women’s organizations for the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, for enhanced child support enforcement and against the child exclusion provisions in welfare reform. FFL also championed Laci and Connor’s Law, as well as health care coverage for poor and pregnant women through the State Child Health Insurance Program.

Lisa