WHAT DRIVES US
We are inspired by the generations before us who fought against the odds to obtain basic rights for individuals that we all use and appreciate today — regardless of sex, politics, religion, or race. We are the same pro-choice majority that achieved important milestones that cannot be taken for granted, including the right to:
*marry who you want, regardless of skin color, in 1967
*use birth control, regardless of marital status, in 1972
*choose whether to have an abortion, in 1973
*obtain a credit card without spousal consent or title, in 1974
*serve on a jury, in 1975
*keep your job while pregnant, in 1978
*take legal action against workplace sexual harassment, in 1980
*decide not to have sex with your spouse, in 1993 (yes, marital rape did not become a crime in all 50 states until 1993)
*obtain health insurance at the same monetary rates as men, in 2010
*marry who you want, regardless of sex, in 2015.
ANNA NEAR - Owner & Founder
Anna is a God-loving, happily married mother of two boys, living in Austin, Texas. She was pro-life when she was younger. She was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools for most of her life. She used to think that abortion was a black and white issue, but then she went to law school, read about how pro-life policies actually work, listened to people’s stories, and eventually the only thing that seemed black and white to her was that the decision to carry a pregnancy to term is the most personal, important, and often complex decision an individual will ever make … and the government should have no say in it. Her full evolution on this topic would take several pages, and honestly, her story doesn’t really matter because if there’s any question in your head or your heart—even the slightest spark--you have to seek out sources that don’t automatically pop up in your feed, that your church might not want you to read, and that your family might not have put in front you. And especially if you are one of the lucky ones that has never been in a situation that caused you to consider abortion, then you have to listen to and read about the people who have. Ask yourself what you would do if the lead character in their stories was your child, your parent, your sibling, or your best friend instead.
STEPHANIE WRIGHT - Chief of Miscellaneous Stuff, AKA Anna’s “Muscle”
Stephanie has a background in movement of the physical kind, not the metaphorical. She was a classically trained dancer who transitioned to teaching Pilates as a way to sustain her physical health after injury. It was in Pilates that she met Anna, which is how she became humorously known as Anna’s “muscle”. Stephanie has a lifelong appreciation for all things fashion, art, and design with a natural inclination towards human connections. She happily handles the human components of ProChoice Majority by running daily operations. Stephanie’s first memory of consciously articulating what instinctually felt right, being pro-choice, was during a debate in fourth grade history class. In that very moment it seemed so obvious and basic. Stephanie lives in Old Enfield with her husband Nick and son William.
THE VILLAGE
We cannot begin to express our gratitude for the immediate enthusiasm and support from the village of individuals who’ve made this sometimes stressful project a true joy in an otherwise dark time. From the small group who said they’d wear a choice bracelet if I made them, to the friend who purchased 100 bracelets before they were even fabricated, to the experienced entrepreneurs who are teaching me how to manage inventory, to my supply line, to the powerhouse team of marketing and PR professionals that have rolled up their sleeves and volunteered countless hours — this is what solidarity looks like! THANK YOU to Allegra Benz, Amal & Zane Wilemon and the wonderful team at Ubuntu, Amanda Strain, Amy Griffin, Amy Paddock, Ana & Bill Stapleton, Annie Downing, Ashlee Margolis Fishman and the wonderful team at The A List, Beth Cohen, Brooklyn Decker, ByGeorge, Chris Mattson, Christopher Best, Cindy Mingea, Emmett Beliveau and the wonderful team at C3 Presents, Emmy Coffey, Erin Jones, Eryn Bingle, Gigi Edwards Bryant, Jason Near, Jeni Lowry, Jenny Olsen, Jessica Weaver, Jodi Beaubien, Kathy Terry, Katie Banahan, Kristen Jaros, Leslie Smith, Lydia Hattrup, Margaret Barnwell, Marnie Near, Mary Beth Canfield, Meagan Longley, Mela Sarajane Dailey, Melissa Kath, Monica Corcoran Harel, Nicky Brennig, Odette Annable, Pamela Benson Owens, Rachel Cook, Saima Jehangir, Sam Schacher, Sarah Coleman, Sarah Queen, Sarah Ware, Shasta Buchanan, Shellie Hayes McMahon, Shelly & Brent Metschan, Tara Bozarth, Taylor Bowles, Tory Schulman, Wendy Martinez, Windsor McKenna, Yury Cardoza … and all the many others who have purchased and posted and helped spread the love.