RCRC established our Dignity to Decide Award in 2019 to honor what we see as prophetic action and leadership that challenges the status quo in service of reproductive freedom and dignity.
This year, we recognize the looming threat surrounding the future of Roe while also acknowledging that Roe has never been sufficient in ensuring that those who need abortion care are able to access it. While we prepare for the potentially devastating aftermath of the decision in Jackson Women’s Health Organization v. Dobbs, we also hold the vision of the kind of world we wish to live in—one in which every person’s reproductive decisions are respected, supported with dignity, and trusted.
This is why it was more important than ever for us to honor and affirm the heroic and courageous efforts of the folks on the ground (like our Dignity to Decide recipients) who show up every day to create this reality for their communities.
We honor the physicians, nurses, social workers, and administrative and advocacy staff who put their lives on the line to provide abortion care services in an increasingly hostile and compassionless society. While abortion care services have always been vital, in this era of escalating legislative and religious oppression that has become the norm, they have become an even greater sacrifice of love and compassion.