E NEWSLETTER
Gag Rule Censors Artists: Speak Up
Take Action for Censored Artists
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Events Recognize Roe 50
Moving Forward On What Would Have Been Roe’s Fifty
Fall 2022: Poets on Zoom, Women Doctors on Stage, Writing Workshop
Three Arts Events for Reproductive Freedom
Our Reproductive Freedom Walking Tours Underway Reproductive Freedom Walking Tour 2022 More Important Than Ever
The Righteous Words of Justice Sotomayor, Recorded!
The Righteous Words of Justice Sotomayor and More
Roe@49: Virtual Events, Reflective Tone
2022 Roe v Wade Anniversary – Virtual Reflections
We’re Blogging for Reproductive Freedom: 2021 in Review
We’re blogging blogging blogging
Reproductive Freedom Walks in NYC 2021
Reproductive Freedom Walking Tour Resumes!
StatueFest – Put A Woman On A Pedestal
Read about StatueFest – Put A Woman on A Pedestal
Roe Events Go Virtual in 2021
Roe Events Go Virtual in 2021
ReGeneration: Reproductive Freedom Then and Now
Regeneration Repro Freedom Then and Now
Repro Freedom Arts Statement In Solidarity
Repro Free Arts Statement June
Arts and Advocacy in the Virtual World with NIRH, Spring 2020
Arts and Advocacy in the Virtual World with NIRH
Activists Honor Roe Anniversary Amid Threats, Winter 2020
Roe Events Across the Country Winter 2020
Walking Tour on WNYC, Book Launch, Fall 2019
WNYC on Reproductive Freedom Walk
Short Plays on Reproductive Freedom Out in Paperback, August 2019
New Paperback Short Plays on Repro Freedom newsletter
Reviving Reproductive Freedom Walking Tours with Social Justice Tours
Reproductive Freedom Walking Tours Summer 2019 Newsletter
Newsletter: Keeping Reproductive Freedom Alive
Repro Freedom Anthology, Video, Performance
Newsletter: Expanding Creative Theater
The Living Newspaper and Our Rights
Newsletter: Not Stopping: Roe v. Wade at 45
Persistence and Purpose Roe at 45
Newsletter: Live Radio Theater Reproductive Freedom Is What We Want, live theater on radio. Listen on Soundcloud!
Newsletter: Finding-hope-in-hard-times Despite the challenges of 2017, we’ve found some hope in surprising places.
Newsletter: Festival report All 50 states, 9 countries, New activist site — Keep Reproductive Freedom on Top!
Newsletter: Reproductive Freedom Festival to Present Six Half-Hour Sets of Theatrical Performances
Newsletter: Kicking It Up for Reproductive Freedom: Live Arts Streaming Everywhere! March 20
Newsletter: Reproductive Freedom Festival Artistic Consultant Stacey Linnartz writes about why theater and social justice on BlogHer
Newsletter: We’re planning a ReproFreedom Festival Read about our exciting National Streaming Festival!
Newsletter: Send Short Works to Reproductive Freedom Festival by January 15, 2016
Newsletter: Left Forum, Award, 300 Blogs May 22, 2015
Newsletter: Wary of Future, Abortion Rights Groups Honor Roe Jan 22 2015
Email to add your name to the mailing list for newsletters. See Connect
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December 2022
In Memoriam: Founding board member April Elsasser passed away on December 5, 2022. Many thanks for her years of service.
Welcome: We extend a warm welcome to Kathy Chavez as she joins our board.
Marking Creative Activism: We reached 500 posts on our blog, Up the Creativity.
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New! Reproductive Freedom Walking Tours Through Lower Manhattan!
With Social Justice Tours
Read moreUpcoming
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Now out in paperback, as well as by ebook! SHORT PLAYS ON REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM offers 34 Short Plays and Performance Pieces from the Reproductive Freedom Festival and Words of Choice
Order the paperback! SHORT PLAYS ON REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
$6.99 to 7.99; Find it on Amazon
ISBN: 978-1078109413
Read More about our Paperback Release! A great gift for yourself or a friend!
Order the ebook on Amazon Kindle: $2.99
Order on Google Play:
Order on Barnes and Noble Nook
Short Plays on Reproductive Freedom offers 34 short works for performance to recognize and celebrate the fundamental human right to bodily autonomy. From a wide diversity of writers, the works in this powerful collection, each approximately five minutes long, explore reproductive rights, health, freedom and justice. These beautiful works generate vibrant new conversations on vital topics that are at the forefront of public discussions today.
The writers in this collection include: Grisel Acosta, Judith Arcana, Marcy Arlin, Melissa Bell, Angela Bonavoglia, Stephen Cedars, Kitty Chen, Ellen Cohen, Cindy Cooper, Allie Costa, Marjorie Duffield, Jessica Feder-Birnbaum, Anne Flanagan, Nicole Goodwin, Yvette Heyliger, Home│Work Collective, Henry Howard, Michael angel Johnson, Mildred Lewis, Samantha Lierens, Jessica Litwak, Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondieh, Junita Middleton, Debbie Miller, Winter Miller, Alix Olson, Marge Piercy, Jeremy Rishe, Mercedes Sanchez, Laura A. Shamas, Laura Zlatos.
SHORT PLAYS ON REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM: 34 Short Plays and Performance Pieces from the Reproductive Freedom Festival and Words of Choice
Edited by Cindy Cooper with Stacey Linnartz
www.reproductivefreedomfestival.org
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WORDS OF CHOICE on film has been reissued for Live Streaming or DVD purchase by the International Film Network! More relevant than ever…. order now at IFN. 
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Words of Choice and Ego Actus Theatre Company, artistic director Joan Kane, joined together to create a Living Newspaper Women’s Edition in a residency on Governor’s Island as part of the Laboratorium of Rising Sun Theatre Company. Four writers, six performers and a director came together to create new work drawn from newspaper articles. Five new works emerged from the project, presented to the public in three performances. Read more: Theater: Using the Living Newspaper to Shine A Light on Reproductive Rights and More
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Listen to the Sound Cloud of Performances in Reproductive Freedom is What We Want!
Nine theatrical segments, ready for your listening! Performed by Crista Marie Jackson, Julissa Roman and Claudia Schneider and directed by Francesca Mantani Arkus.
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Reproductive Freedom is What We Want: Live Theater Performance on Internet Radio on March 31, 2017 at 7 pm (EST) with the International Women Artists Salon Radio broadcasting on the City World Network. Ten shorts performed by Julissa Roman, Claudia Schneider and Crista Marie Westley under the direction of Francesca Mantani Arkus.
Writings by June Jordan, Judith Arcana, Esosa Edosomwan, Michael David Quinn, Angela Bonavoglia, Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, Dr. Susan Wicklyn and Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondich.
Listen on Soundcloud.
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Words of Choice was recognized by the Quixote Foundation in Seattle, WA, with a Thank You Award and grant. “We are grateful for the honest, funny, and truth-telling power that you bring to theatre and for the light you share on the importance of a woman’s right to choose,” wrote June Wilson, Executive Director, in announcing the surprise award.
The Quixote Foundation motto is PRACTICE IDEALISM. Read more in Art Today, Freedom Forever.
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December 1, 2016
How to Survive an Anti-Feminist Backlash by Sady Doyle, quoting Cindy Cooper and Words of Choice. We can’t relax, and we can’t assume that everything will work out. In The Nation.
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March 24, 2106
Issues for Your Tissues Talks about the Reproductive Freedom Festival
An interview with Katie from the amazing blogcast emanating from Texas — Issues for Your Tissues — about theater, art, activism and reproductive freedom
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March 21, 2016
Live Streaming Reaches All 50 States
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March 9, 2016
Kicking Up Reproductive Freedom Through Live Streaming Theater on March 20
At a time when reproductive rights are under dire threat, the Reproductive Freedom Festival uses the power of the arts as a potent reminder of what is at stake: bodily autonomy and full equality.
— Producer, Reproductive Freedom Festival
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, March 9, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Reproductive Freedom Festival, a live theatrical and Live Streaming event, will take place on March 20, 2016, 6 to 9 pm (EST.)
The Live Stream, produced by partner Virtual Arts.TV is accessed directly (for free) at http://reproductivefreedomfestival.org . The Live Streaming will be broadcast from New York City.
Writers and artists are speaking out about the past, present, future and timeless nature of reproductive freedom. At a time when reproductive rights are under dire threat, the Reproductive Freedom Festival uses the power of the arts as a potent reminder of what is at stake: bodily autonomy and full equality for all.
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March 7, 2016
Interactive Multimedia Reproductive Freedom Festival on March 20 First of its Kind
25 Writers, 30 Actors, 6 Directors Celebrate Reproductive Freedom, Health, Rights and Justice Through a One-Night Festival Live in New York and Live Streaming Everywhere
New York, NY, USA – WEBWIRE – Monday, March 7, 2016
This festival is partnering with the premier arts streaming organization in the nation, VirtualArts.TV, to live stream the event free with live chat and tweeting.
See:http://reproductivefreedomfestival.org
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REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES NEW SITE
January 18, 2016: Reproductive Freedom Festival launches with a new site. Live performances, multi camera in-the-theater Live Streaming! More than 30 works from writers across the country! Follow updates and reservation information at Reproductive Freedom Festival. 
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At a showcase of films: Reproductive Justice Walking Tour.
At the Left Forum: Reproductive Freedom on Fire!
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VISION AWARD:
Abortion Conversation Project Honors Words of Choice
Words of Choice was honored with The VISION AWARD by the Abortion Conversation Project (ACP)in Spring 2015.
ACP said Words of Choice and founder Cindy Cooper “epitomize innovative approaches to stigma.”
“Cindy Cooper and Words of Choice have a long history of creative work,” according to the award presenters in the Abortion Clinic Network newsletter. “One of Cooper’s recent projects, the Reproductive Justice Walking tour was a sold-out sensation and created a model for other communities. As in her other projects, she involved actors, activists, artists, and community groups and further documented the project for future projects and other communities.”
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ENEWSLETTER
Recent NewsletterWords of Choice News Update Sept 23 2014:
See a December 2013 e-newsletter here.
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THE PUFFIN FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE WALKING TOUR
The Reproductive Justice Walking Tour, a project of Words of Choice, was generously awarded a grant by The Puffin Foundation.
The Puffin Foundation is dedicated to “continuing the dialogue between art and the lives of ordinary people.”
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REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE WALKING TOUR GETS ABORTION CONVERSATION PROJECT GRANT SUPPORT
The Abortion Conversation Project awarded Words of Choice a Mini Grant to develop a Reproductive Justice Walking Tour.
The Abortion Conversation Project’s mission is “to challenge the polarization that characterizes abortion conversation, lessen the stigmatization of abortion, and promote speaking and listening with empathy, dignity, and resilience about even the most difficult aspects of abortion.” Abortion Conversation Website.
See this site for the Reproductive Justice Walking Tour
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Wired Arts Fest
Words of Choice joins in the First-Ever Wired Arts Festival for ROE40, two Live Streaming video events.
Words of Choice will bring choice audiences across the country and the world together for a real-time national conversation on reproductive freedom.
>>>>>> UPDATE: Stream ongoing at VirtualArtsTV, here.
Online viewers can participate in live chat discussions, interact through Twitter and Facebook. A discussion with leaders on reproductive freedom will follow performances. Get a Viewing Party Packet.
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Words of Choice Joins TRUST WOMEN WEEK
On January 20 to 27, Words of Choice is joining the first-ever Trust Women Week, a virtual march for women’s lives and rights to encourages people to speak out for women’s rights. MoveOn.org worked with 70 organizations and the Silver Ribbon Campaign to develop the concept.
_________________________________________________________________SUPPORT Dr.Carhart in GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND
July 31, 2011 and Beyond for Peaceful Pro-Choice Presence
Dr. LeRoy Carhart invites pro-choice Americans to join him in Germantown, Maryland for the Summer of Choice, a peaceful presence to counter anti-abortion zealots who are targeting him and reproductive freedom. A March for Choice on July 31, 2011 will raise funds for the Abortion Access Fund.
Words of Choice will honor Dr. Carhart and prochoice activists with a live performance on July 31 in Gaithersburg, MD. The performance space will include a special display by Heather Ault.
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News from New Jersey and New York Stage, February 09, 2011, by Peter Filichia
Your ‘Choice’
Cindy Cooper promises 14 different plays in 70 short minutes. The event is called “Choice and Love,” and deals with a woman’s right to have, or not have, a child. Crista Marie Jackson, Carl H. Jaynes and Claudia Schneider, under the direction of Francesca Mantani Arkus. “Choice and Love” plays Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church in Montclair.
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January 2, 2010
New Jersey & Words of Choice Address Reproductive Rights
On January 22, 2011, at 6: 30 p.m., a consortium of reproductive rights groups, led by the NJ Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, will hold a Roe anniversary celebration at the First Unitarian Church of Plainfield New Jersey. Excerpts from Words of Choice include “Letters to Justice Blackmun,” author of the 1973 opinion in Roe v. Wade. The evening will feature a speaker from the National Advocates for Pregnant Women.
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October 2010
New Yorkers will have opportunities to see two live performances of “Words of Choice.”
On Monday, October 11, 2010, 7 pm, at Stonybrook University, Long Island, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. A reception will precede the show, a brief discussion with the actors and Cindy Cooper, creator, will follow.
On October 22, 2010, 7:30 pm, at the Center for Creative Education, Kingston, New York, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley and YWCA Ulster County.
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Words of Choice travels to Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland in April for a series of events and collaborations, including partnerships with the DC Abortion Fund, Virginia NOW, and events at the Amnesty Human Rights Arts Festival.
reprofreedomarts.org 