Ilyse is ready to hit the ground running. She brings years of political expertise to our organization, and she knows how to counter the tactics of well-funded opponents from her time at MoveOn.org and Media Matters for America. Ilyse is committed to bringing a new generation of Americans into the conversation about the importance of reproductive rights. I know she will be an excellent leader for the pro-choice cause in the years ahead.

Help me welcome Ilyse – and please share your thoughts about what’s important to you.

My time as president officially comes to an end next week with our annual Roe v. Wade anniversary dinner here in Washington, D.C.

Before I go, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you. I appreciate all of the kind words and notes of support I have received these past few months. It’s really meant a lot.

Because of your commitment and willingness to take action, we accomplished so much these past eight years. Here are just a few highlights:

• Since 2005, we have lobbied more than 50 votes on choice-related issues in Congress and worked in partnership with our affiliates on more than 4,000 choice-related bills in the states.
• In 2008 and again last year, we played a leading role in sending President Barack Obama to the White House and electing other pro-choice champions across the country.
• We fought relentlessly to improve women’s access to birth control – and we won when the Obama administration adopted a no-cost birth-control coverage.
• Most recently, we helped convince Congress to lift the ban on servicewomen who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault from using their military health plans to cover abortion care.

Welcoming a new president at any organization is a big moment, but I have every confidence in the changes that are to come here at NARAL Pro-Choice America.

I know I can count on you to stand by Ilyse, help her grow our base, and protect a woman’s right and access to abortion for decades to come.

In solidarity,

Nancy Keenan President, NARAL Pro-Choice America