President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: Recent Supreme Court News: A Message from President Bilger
May 4, 2022
Dear faculty, staff, and students,
Last night I was in Boston for a Reed meeting that took place close to the courthouse. A large and diverse and passionate group had gathered there to voice their displeasure over the leaked draft from the Supreme Court outlining a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Many of us have deep personal connections to the issue of abortion and carry unseen stories and experiences that have shaped our views on this topic. I grew up in a religious tradition that viewed abortion and contraception as deeply wrong. For me and for many women of my generation, the decision in Roe v. Wade was a piece in a series of steps that affirmed our control over our bodies and agency in the world.
I fervently believe in the rights supported by Roe v. Wade; however, others on campus may disagree. I will speak my views, but cannot speak for all of Reed. I can and will assert and protect the rights and privacy of our most vulnerable community members. I encourage us to abide by our own founding belief in kind and honorable behaviors as we speak with each other about this issue in the days and weeks ahead.
It was a joyful thing to be with so many of you over Renn Fayre last weekend, and I look forward to seeing you back on campus tomorrow.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Sincerely,
Audrey
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Audrey Bilger
President