By Sara Imershein
I have spent my life fighting for equality for women, and specifically for reproductive freedom. My first political action was in 1971, two years before Roe was decided. I organized my high school girlfriends to send a telegram to Governor Nelson Rockefeller encouraging him to veto the repeal of New York’s liberalized abortion laws. He did, and abortion remained legal in New York State. I then went to college and medical school with the intent of becoming a gynecologist and I was lucky to have the resources and support to fulfill my dreams.
Most of my medical school and residency professors shared memories of septic abortion wards at every hospital. These wards all closed within months of Roe because safe abortion was finally available. I can’t tell you how many women in my medical school class had abortions because of accidental pregnancies. None of these women would be physicians without abortion access.
Many years ago a friend was asked by her daughter, “Why is Sara so into abortion rights?” My friend replied, “Well, because she’s a gynecologist.” Wrong! The ability to control our bodies is the ultimate freedom to determine our own destinies. Access to contraception and abortion gives women the opportunity to participate as equal members of society. Without bodily autonomy, we cannot enjoy our constitutional right to the pursuit of OUR happiness – however we define that for ourselves. Wherever abortion is safe, legal and accessible women’s health is better. Maternal, neonatal and infant mortality are less frequent.
I recently worked with three co-founders, including fellow Temple Sinai member Jen Lanoff, WHNP, to open Meadow Reproductive Health and Wellness (formerly Grace Reproductive Health Fund, a 2024 Lipman Grant recipient). I consider this achievement to be the pinnacle of my wonderfully rewarding career. Our team, with expertise in business and medicine, has established a modern, accessible, independent reproductive health clinic in Northern Virginia.
The Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision created chaos and disruption in reproductive health and the urgent need for safe, affordable access to abortion. Sixty percent of reproductive-age women live in states now hostile to abortion. Because of this, it took nearly 8 months to find a landlord who would rent to us. In December 2023 we signed a lease in a roomy, sunny office building near Tysons, adjacent to the Beltway, Route 66, and the Dulles Toll Road, and walking distance from a Metro stop, which will provide easy access to downtown, western suburbs, and both DC airports.
From the perspective of a female, Jewish, abortion provider I know abortion care embodies three meaningful Jewish obligations:
- Mitzvah – our commandment to alleviate suffering
- Tzedakah – justice and equity and
- Tikkun Olam – repairing the world
All my colleagues in the repro community feel that abortion care is more than a career, it’s a calling. It’s a privilege to use my experience, knowledge and skills to expand access to abortion care during these politically troubling times. I am grateful and humbled by the many brave women before me who fought for women’s rights, and the generosity of so many who share our values and have financially supported our clinic today.
If you are able to help support this important work, please consider making a donation to our new clinic. We are grateful!
