BIRTHRIGHT QUIETLY GOES ABOUT ITS WORK; AID TO PREGNANT WOMEN LEAVES NO TIME FOR POLITICAL DEBATE

As the abortion debate continues to flair, Dolores Mier and her volunteers at Birthright of Cape Girardeau quietly go about their business of helping pregnant women.

Mier, director of the Cape Girardeau Birthright center, has been honored for her work the past nearly 20 years by being named director of the year for Missouri. She was nominated by volunteers at the local center.

Mier grimaces when abortion protests are mentioned, although she too opposes abortion. "Unfortunately people tend to lump us all together," she said. "We are a charity. We are here to help women who are pregnant. We would lose our Birthright charter if we became politically active."

So rather than walk picket lines or blockade abortion clinics, the volunteers at the Birthright office administer free pregnancy tests, advise women on their options and offer help ranging from maternity clothes to financial assistance.

During Birthright's past fiscal year, from August to August, 1,175 pregnancy tests were administered.

She said tests are averaging about 100 per month this year.

"The pregnancy tests are a service we will do for anyone," Mier said. "If the test is positive, we ask how the woman feels about it. If they express a concern or a need, we see if there is a way we can help."

The whole process is low key, she explained.

On a limited basis, the center offers baby clothes, formula, food and diapers. In crises, they have paid utility bills or a month's rent.

"The purpose is not to provide everything they need, but to help out a little bit when we can," she said.

The center depends on contributions to operate.

A large amount of money comes through area churches. Volunteers speak during worship services and collections are taken for Birthright.

Mier said the agency is not affiliated with any one church. In fact many different denominations offer support.

However, she and the volunteers believe the work they do is a ministry. "That's why our volunteers are so dedicated," Mier said.

Money is also generated through the center's quarterly newsletter, memorials and from organizations.

The center is open five and a half days each week. She holds training sessions for new volunteers and a monthly meeting to keep touch with all volunteers.

Personally, she sorts clothing and assembles layettes for newborns, speaks to civic and church organizations, stuffs envelopes, compiles statistics, and files required financial reports.

The Birthright chapter formed almost 20 years ago in the wake the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion. "We thought there might be a need here," Mier said.

She never intended to be involved on a long-term basis. A friend talked Mier into accompanying her to a training session. Mier signed up as a substitute volunteer for her friend. "I thought I would work for six months and then ease out," she said. After six months, she was hooked. Three years later, she was elected director, and has served in that position since.

The office has been located in a house at 134 S. Park for the past five years. For the 14 years prior to that, the center was located at the corner of William and Park.

"This is very homey," Mier said of their new location. Her office is tucked into the kitchen.

Mier, who has four children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild of her own, proudly displays baby pictures from clients she has helped.

"That's what we're here for," she said.