Vision to Win Heads to Wisconsin

NARAL Pro-Choice America took its multi-state Vision to Win tour to Wisconsin this week with our friends at NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin.

Nancy Keenan joined activists and supporters, in particular a strong crowd of Millennials, at the annual Wine and Choice event in Madison and Milwaukee. Guests were treated to wine, chocolate, and cheese donated from local businesses. Can we say, yum?

One aspect of Wine and Choice that inspired us is NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin's decision to start an annual Dr. Tiller award to honor local heroes in the fight for reproductive rights. The Madison winner was Dr. Dennis Christensen, known as "Dr. C." by his patients and staff.  Here's how the clinic manager, who nominated Dr. Christensen, described him:

"Dr. Christensen has been an abortion provider for over 30 years in the Madison area, Illinois, and Milwaukee. He has assured Wisconsin women that abortion services stayed safe and available. During much of his career in Madison, he assured that medical residents were trained in providing abortion services. He took over the sole practice of providing abortion in Madison when a provider passed away and again in Rockford, Illinois, when another provider also passed away to assure that women in the Midwest had access to abortion care. I was extremely fortunate to work with and for Dr. Christensen from 1998-2008 and before that as a business partner of another provider.

Dr. C quoted and lived by Dr. Tiller's motto of "the woman's decision" being the only factor in providing abortion services. Dr. C was a great friend of Dr. Tiller's and would be extremely honored to receive an award in his name. He is still practicing in Rockford, Illinois, and in Milwaukee in his semi-retirement until he can assure the training and continued practice of providing abortions. I continue my work as a center manager in the Madison area in honor of the work that Dr. C has done."

Wow.  Thanks, Dr. C, for trusting women!

Enjoy these great photos from the events in Wisconsin:

Vision to Win is heading to Connecticut , so if you live nearby, please join us:

Connecticut

October 1: Hartford, Gala/Auction Event
October 2: New Haven, Young Millennial Leaders Roundtable
October 3: Ridgefield, Luncheon with Betsy Thompson and Rep. Jim Hines