Open House, Open Minds discussion on reproductive health at Canadian County Democrats May 12 meeting

YUKON, Okla. – Janet Levit and Isabella Gaberino from repro46.org will lead an Open House, Open Minds conversation at the Canadian County Democrats’ meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, at the Yukon Police Department, 100 S. Ranchwood Boulevard. The public is invited to attend.

“Open House, Open Minds creates a unique opportunity to connect through compassionate and respectful conversations about abortion care,” repro46 Executive Consultant Janet Levit said. “We foster dialogue free of judgment that allows neighbors to engage and learn about reproductive health access.”

“repro46 transcends politics and ideology to bring Oklahomans together from all walks of life,” repro46 Client Administrative Officer Isabella Gaberino said, “The goal is not to change minds or core values. We provide the space to ask questions and get honest answers, explore values and grapple with tough issues without judgment. We want to help people from diverse perspectives shift from judgement to empathy.”

Janet Levit served 15 years in higher education administration as interim president and provost of The University of Tulsa and dean of the College of Law. She returned to the classroom as a professor of law in 2022. Levit is vice chair of the board of directors at the Center for Reproductive Rights and focuses on reproductive rights and implicit biases affecting women in leadership. She holds a juris doctorate from Yale Law School and a bachelor’s of arts degree from Princeton University.

Gaberino has expertise in human rights, social justice, and conflict transformation, along with a strong background in business development and public-private partnerships. A passionate advocate for gender equality, she holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in justice and peace studies from Georgetown University.

“Reproductive care is a health issue and should never be political. It is an issue of freedom and autonomy. It’s just not the place for politicians to make decisions that belong to women, their families, their doctors and their faith,” Levit said in a recent article published in The Oklahoman. “Politicians have gone way too far, and they’re threatening the health of all Oklahomans, not members of one party.

“Physicians involved in obstetrics and emergency room care are afraid to practice here because they might cross the wrong side of the line in our abortion laws,” Levit said in The Oklahoman’s story. “Many rural counties are now obstetric deserts. But in addition to being a health issue, it’s also an economic development issue because of the brain drain from states with abortion bans like Oklahoma.”

The Canadian County Democrats stream their meetings on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5515451639. The meeting ID is 551 545 1639 and passcode is 3600. The Canadian County Democrats reserve the right to refuse entry or remove participants who disrupt any meeting.

Visit https://www.repro46.org/about for more information about repro456.org.

For more information about the Canadian County Democrats, email jodyharlan@gmail.com or phone 405-326-3600.

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