Carolyn Williams and Ann Marie Brokmeier are case managers at the Baltimore Abortion Fund. Also contributing to this piece from BAF are Brigitte Winter and Lynn McCann.

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to block Texas’ restrictive 6-week abortion ban. And later this year, the same nine justices will decide whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S. exactly 49 years ago as of Jan. 22.

BAF is excited to kick off our Taco or Beer Challenge for 2021 this week! The Taco or Beer Challenge is an easy way for you to enjoy your favorite food & drink while supporting BAF! The challenge will start on August 17 and run through September 12, so you'll have plenty of time to join us.

Thanks to BAF’s amazing community, our annual Fund-a-Thon raised over $100,000 for abortion access in Maryland. We are deeply grateful for this support. Our Fund-a-Thon usually raises the money we need to support our callers for a full year. Unfortunately, this is not a typical year.

In January, the network of nonprofits that support abortion funding across the United States experienced a devastating shift in how a group of anonymous philanthropists provide funding to pregnant individuals who are unable to afford abortions. These donors fund the Justice Funds, a muti-million dollar program jointly managed and administered by the National Abortion Federation and Planned Parenthood.

Unconscionably, these changes come in the midst of a global pandemic, when we know individuals across the United States are facing financial turmoil and uncertainty.

This past year, many of us consumed a LOT of various media. Some of it was to escape, some to learn and dig deeper into important issues. Here are some of the things BAF volunteers are listening to, reading, and watching.

(If you're in Baltimore City, Enoch Pratt Free Library is offering Sidewalk Service, but if any of these recommendations persuade you to make a new purchase, don’t forget to support local independent bookstores, like Red Emma's, Atomic, and Greedy Reads, to name a few.)

Okay, let's dig in...

And why you should give a monthly donation to Baltimore Abortion Fund starting NOW

Maryland is a state where access to abortion is protected and accessible. But, no matter who is in the Oval Office, it’s important to note that access doesn't always translate into everyone getting the abortion healthcare they need if they can't afford it. 

That’s why the Baltimore Abortion Fund, alongside supporters like you and other abortion funds around the country, is working to remove financial barriers, and toward a vision of justice and liberation.