LETTERS: BIRTHRIGHT CLARIFIES ITS PURPOSE

To the editor:

On Oct. 10-11, Birthright of Cape Girardeau was the host for a gathering of volunteers from 18 of the 25 Birthright centers in Missouri. It was the largest meeting of Missouri Birthright volunteers since our beginning. The gathering, which centered on the theme "Missouri Birthrights ... Sharing Good News," was an inspirational and learning experience for all of us. At 4 p.m. Saturday, many of us sadly said goodbye to the new friends we had met.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the businesses, church groups, local organizations and individuals who made our meeting possible through their generous contributions. We would also like to thank the Southeast Missourian for the coverage given our two-day event. There were, however, several statements in the Sunday article that we would like to clarify in order to provide a clearer description of who we are and what we do. To really explain the purpose of Birthright, I would like to quote from a brochure written by the founder of Birthright, Louise Summerhill:

"Birthright is for any girl or woman regardless of age, creed, marital or economic status who finds herself in an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy.

"Birthright believes in the right of every woman to give birth to her child in dignity and the right of every child to be born.

"Birthright loves in advance every woman who calls for help -- whether it is only for an anonymous pregnancy test or for the full and helpful friendship through the months ahead ... someone to share every problem no matter how large or small.

"Birthright is an interdenominational emergency service offering a positive alternative to abortion. There are now approximately 1,000 Birthright centers worldwide.

"Birthright is staffed by volunteers who are trained to know the community services and have at their fingertips the names and telephone numbers of professional persons who have made themselves available to Birthright. Medical, legal, ministerial and priestly help are but a telephone call away from the volunteer. Adoption agencies, welfare and trained counselors stand behind us.

"Birthright is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization that exists because of the support of private groups and individuals."

The statement in the news article, "The organization now stays away from political issues," must be understood in light of the fact that as a tax-exempt corporation we do not lobby, picket, protest or in any way try to influence legislation.

The paragraph in the article which stated, "Religious affiliations and contraceptive and chastity issues are also shunned by the organization," was particularly misleading. In the words of our founder, "Birthright is an interdenominational emergency service offering a positive alternative to abortion." Our Birthright center is staffed by over 20 volunteers who all share the belief that life is a gift from God to be cherished. These volunteers come from a wide variety of church denominations. We are currently supported by 23 different churches, 32 church-related organizations and nine church-conducted schools.

Rather than shunning moral issues, our volunteers approach every client who comes to our center in a loving, non-judgmental manner. We are eager to help each woman or girl to find positive answers to the problems she is facing. Our counseling is never preachy, but is always given in a common-sense, loving manner that is true to our belief that all life is special.

Thank you for allowing me to clarify these statements. We are very grateful for the support we have received from the community. We desire to continue to assist troubled pregnant women in a loving and responsible manner.

DELORES MIER, Director

Birthright

Cape Girardeau