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[Teen abortion] Advocate travels to raise her voice about her beliefs
Ames Tribune ^ | 5/22/04 | Jayne Bullock

Posted on 05/22/2004 10:55:21 AM PDT by madprof98

Women's rights and women's choices are important aspects of Jessica Egli's life.

She recently had an opportunity to pursue those interests. The sophomore from Ames High School was among the more than 800,000 people of all ages standing on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., in late April for an abortion rights march.

"It was great," she said. "It was overwhelming and amazing that there were men there. I got this wonderful feeling of acceptance that I wasn't alone."

Egli said having choices is a cause she feels strongly about. She said abortion is a big issue for her and she is concerned that without choices women will look at illegal and unsafe alternatives.

"Many rape victims are my age," she said. "Women should have a right to make a choice. I am not especially for abortion, but I don't think you should take away women's choices. Abortion is putting one opinion against another. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. That's what our country is about."

Suzanne Zilber, a psychologist for ISU's counseling services, provided the ticket for Egli's Washington trip. Zilber said she was happy to support Egli's interest.

She said it is a cause shared by Egli and her parents.

"I knew Jessica was someone who cared about women's issues," Zilber said. "I've known Jessica since she was really young, about 3 or 4, and she is a very sensible and mature person for her age. She is observant and has clear ideas about things."

Zilber said kids like Jessica need a voice and help with their passions.

"Kids need to be concerned about more than themselves," she said. "They have valid viewpoints, and they need help from adults to implement their passions and concerns."

Egli likes the idea of having a say in what she does and what she believes. She said her parents have helped with some with her choices, but mostly let her work at the things she believes in.

"I haven't been pressured," she said. "My mom and I talk a lot, and we have a lot of the same views. And my church is really open about helping people discover what they believe in."

Commitment to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames is a big part Egli's life. She is a member of the youth group that does a great deal of community service. She and other members are planning and fund-raising for a mission trip to Leadville, Colo., this summer, working with Habitat for Humanity.

"This is my first mission," she said. "I'm super excited. We will actually build a house for a family."

At school Egli is involved in intramural softball and choir. English is her favorite subject and she loves reading Shakespeare. Her class just finished "Romeo and Juliet." She is a movie buff and thinks about pursuing a career in theater. "Edward Scissorhands" is one of her favorites, and her dream would be to have a role directed by Tim Burton. Music is also important to her, and every summer she attends the Michigan Women's Music Festival with her parents.

Egli had a bit of advice for other young people: She said it helps to know people, whether that is through a church or at school. And she thinks it is important to express your beliefs out loud.

"You have to make known your opinions," she said.

©Ames Tribune 2004


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: abortion; teens
Sweetness and light! And a few dead babies . . .
1 posted on 05/22/2004 10:55:21 AM PDT by madprof98
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To: madprof98

Those murdered ones aren't children, they're choices!


2 posted on 05/22/2004 11:01:39 AM PDT by jocon307 (The dems don't get it, the American people do.)
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To: madprof98

...every summer she attends the Michigan Women's Music Festival with her parents.
 

Not to stray off-subject here, but is there a Michigan Men's Music Festival???

3 posted on 05/22/2004 11:02:32 AM PDT by Fintan (Seriously...does my hair look all right?)
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To: madprof98
Notice her parental units' attitudes ~ this young gal probably needs the protection of a court to keep them from taking her to their friendly neighborhood abortionist every time she misses her period by a couple of hours.

And then we read about Caligula and Nero as children and are amazed at how evil they can be.

4 posted on 05/22/2004 11:03:40 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: madprof98
It was overwhelming and amazing that there were men there.

I got news for you honey. This is ALL ABOUT men. It is the irresponsible young men on the prowl that have the most to lose if abortion is banned again.

5 posted on 05/22/2004 11:03:45 AM PDT by ElkGroveDan
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To: madprof98
"This is my first mission," she said. "I'm super excited. We will actually build a house for a family."

Maybe she could find time for a mission to build little coffins for aborted babies.

Oh, how could I forget....

Aborted babies don't get coffins: they get thrown in dumpsters or carved into pieces for important science projects.

6 posted on 05/22/2004 11:04:10 AM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Always finish what you st)
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To: madprof98

Ah, (sigh), abortion is just so... so very liberating!


7 posted on 05/22/2004 11:09:47 AM PDT by Migraine (my grain is pretty straight today)
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To: madprof98

You know, I'm about ready to favor legislation which would grant FREE abortions for all card-carrying liberals, communists, feminazis, civil rights industrialists and various and assorted other scoundrels. In fact, I am willing to make that legislation retroactive. It would be a small price to pay, the money, that is.


8 posted on 05/22/2004 11:15:00 AM PDT by Migraine (my grain is pretty straight today)
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To: madprof98

It's people like her that make the general public think that people my age are idiots. There are some rays of hope, you know. This ain't one of 'em.


9 posted on 05/22/2004 12:03:15 PM PDT by GiveEmDubya (Common Liberal Whine: (fill in blank)-ism/phobia!)
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To: madprof98

Makes you wonder about the sort of counseling she's been getting from the psychologist that paid for her ticket.


10 posted on 05/22/2004 12:35:35 PM PDT by wildbill
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To: wildbill
Makes you wonder...how many abortions she's had already.

Makes you wonder... why was SHE so lucky?

Makes you wonder...how is it that children now advocate killing other children?

11 posted on 05/22/2004 2:57:37 PM PDT by Darheel (Visit the strange and wonderful.)
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To: biblewonk
Teen-opinion ping.

Where was it Democrats were pushing for lowering the voting age to 16?

12 posted on 05/24/2004 8:58:45 AM PDT by newgeezer (Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ... the testing of your faith produces endurance)
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To: wildbill
SUZANNE ZILBER, Ph.D.

My specialty interests are: eating disorders, sexual assault and abuse, trauma, career development, gender and multi-cultural issues, and gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues. I completed the Level II training for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2001 and find this to be a very effective method for treating trauma survivors as it integrates intense emotions with cognitive processing in a way that feels safe to clients. My career interest is grounded in serving as the career exploration program coordinator for 8 years. I implemented my interest in multicultural issues with Martha Norton as we developed and co-coordinated a peer educator program for conducting intercultural communication workshops. I have also developed a successful sexual consent program for male-only groups, which I co-facilitate with male counselors. As intern training coordinator, I enjoy facilitating the supervision of supervision seminar, helping interns with the job application process, and the transition to life as a professional.

In my personal life, my partner Adin and I enjoy doing kid stuff with our 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son. Another member of the family is Pippin, an adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Adin and I enjoy gourmet cooking, amateur gardening, and arts events. In addition, I am active in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and various social/political causes.

13 posted on 05/24/2004 9:07:37 AM PDT by Fast Ed97
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To: Fast Ed97; biblewonk

Hey, thanks. All this makes more "sense," now.


14 posted on 05/24/2004 9:18:35 AM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary. You have the right to be wrong.)
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To: newgeezer
Where was it Democrats were pushing for lowering the voting age to 16?

Like, everywhere dude. And like it's like 14 years old.

15 posted on 05/24/2004 9:36:22 AM PDT by biblewonk (WELL I SPEAK LOUD, AND I CARRY A BIGGER STICK...AND I USE IT TOO.)
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