| RICHMOND, VA –Former Speaker of the House of Delegates, Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, and Delegate Delores McQuinn are highlighting the need for people of faith to come together around reproductive freedom and thank Vice President Harris for coming to Richmond this morning to discuss this important issue at such a critical time. While Filler-Corn and McQuinn are unable to attend this morning’s event, they are grateful the Vice President is here listening to leaders and sharing her perspective.
“Virginia is currently a sanctuary for women in the South who need safe, legal access to abortion, thanks to the hard work of Democrats,” said Eileen Filler-Corn. “That sanctuary is under attack by Governor Youngkin who is attempting to deny both our bodily autonomy, and to infringe upon the religious liberty of Jewish Virginians as well as many Virginians of other faiths. Having Vice President Harris visit Virginia and hear our stories shows her commitment to us and to reproductive healthcare”.
McQuinn, who is an Associate Minister in Eastern Henrico added, “I am honored that Vice President Harris is visiting the City of Richmond and elevating the voices of Virginia women,” said Delegate Delores McQuinn. Now, more than ever, we must come together as people of faith and every walk of life to speak in support of reproductive health rights for Virginians. I look forward to joining Speaker Filler-Corn in forming an interfaith coalition to protect our progress.” Women are capable of making decisions for our own reproductive healthcare and that are in best interest of our families. We refuse to sit silently as attempts are being made to relegate women to second class citizens, once again. My concerns go far beyond the issue of reproductive rights, but the reality is that this is an attempt to control mind, body and spirit”.
Abortion bans proposed by Governor Youngkin and Virginia Republicans conflict with Jewish law, which mandates the termination of a pregnancy in certain circumstances involving the life or health of the mother. In recent weeks, Filler-Corn, the only Jewish woman currently serving in the general assembly, has brought together Jewish leaders, Rabbis, medical professionals and others to elevate concerns of religious liberty.
As Speaker of the House of Delegates, Eileen Filler-Corn worked with Delegate McQuinn and Virginia Democrats to repeal Republican restrictions to abortion access and defeat numerous attempts by Republican legislators to ban abortions in the Commonwealth. |
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