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National Network of Abortion Funds Records, 1994-2005 (ongoing)Finding AidFinding aid prepared by Burd Schlessinger.2008
Administrative InformationThe National Network of Abortion Funds Records were donated to the Sophia Smith Collection in 2006. Associated material located in the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts Records, Sophia Smith Collection. Processed by Burd Schlessinger, 2006. Preferred CitationPlease use the following format when citing materials from this collection: National Network of Abortion Funds Records, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass. The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection. Collection is stored offsite; researchers must give 48 hours advance notice. Researchers must sign an Access Agreement Form, agreeing to protect confidentiality, before using some portions of this collection. This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use. The material in this collection may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights for permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Permission must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property. Periodic additions to collection are expected and may not be reflected in this record. Return to the Table of Contents Historical NoteThe National Network of Abortion Funds is a national social justice organization dedicated to increasing access to abortion for low-income women and girls across the U.S. It was founded by twenty-two grassroots abortion Funds at a conference held May 1-2, 1993 at the National 4H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland; the NNAF incorporated in 1994. A six-person national board was elected at the 1993 conference, and each board member was assigned several Funds for which they had networking and communicating responsibilities. Since 1994, the NNAF has charged its board with increasing the organization's diversity of age, race, and ethnicity. From 1993 to 2003, the NNAF functioned with minimal paid infrastructure: office space was donated by Hampshire College (Amherst, Mass.); Marlene G. Fried served as unpaid executive director and fundraiser; Shawn Towhey acted as unpaid communications director; and other national board members coordinated and implemented the programmatic work of the organization through task forces. Beginning in 1998, grants from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation enabled the NNAF to hire three consultants (development, organizational, and technology), which enabled it to reach new levels of sustainability and growth. In 2005, the board created the position of National Case Manager to oversee distribution of monies specifically designated for abortion funding. The NNAF works to facilitate networking and to provide support and technical assistance to local member funds, which in turn provide direct assistance to women seeking abortions. The organization also conducts national and state-based advocacy to ensure that those most in need (low-income women, women of color, and young women) have access to abortion and full reproductive health care. NNAF is a member of several national coalitions, including the Training and Access Working Group (TAWG), the Communications Group (communications directors from pro-choice organizations), and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective. For more information see the NNAF Web site: http://www.nnaf.org/index.html Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Contents of the CollectionThe NNAF Records document the organization's mission and work to increase access to abortion for low-income women and girls across the U.S. Their emergency contraception initiative is also well-documented. Types of materials include publicity; founding conference materials; Board of Directors' files; funding materials and other financial records. There are also documents generated by numerous other organizations are, e.g. Catholics For a Free Choice, People for the American Way, National Abortion Federation, Campaign for Access and Reproductive Equity, and the National Women's Health Network. Some materials are in Spanish. [NOTE: The contents list for this collection is not online. Contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you would like one sent to you.] Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents |
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