Women’s Rights
Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project
The Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project combats gender bias in Virginia by protecting and advancing the equal rights of women through public education, advocacy, and litigation. Key areas of concern include equal educational and economic opportunities for women, reproductive rights, violence against women, and the treatment of incarcerated women.
Contact the Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project
If you need assistance with a legal matter, would like a speaker on women’s rights for an event or meeting, or want to know more about women’s rights in Virginia, please send an email to kgreenier@acluva.org, write to Women’s Rights Project, ACLU of Virginia, 530 E. Main St, Ste. 310, Richmond, VA 23219, or call 804-644-8022 and leave your name, telephone number, and a request to speak with someone about a women’s rights issue.
About Patricia Arnold
In 2007, Patricia M. Arnold, a pioneer woman aviator and longtime supporter of the ACLU of Virginia, left the bulk of her estate to the ACLU of Virginia Foundation to establish the Patricia M. Arnold Memorial Fund. The purpose of the fund, according to Ms. Arnold’s will, is “to combat through all legal means, the pervasive and powerful sexual bias and sexual discrimination against women found to exist in the State of Virginia.”
The ACLU of Virginia has since established The Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project, paid in large part by The Patricia M. Arnold Memorial Fund, to promote equal rights for women in Virginia.
Know Your Rights Materials
Know Your Rights: The Use of Shackles or Restraints on Pregnant Inmates
June 2011
Your Right to Pregnancy-Related Health Care in Prison or Jail
June 2011
News & Commentary
Governor McDonnell Signs Mandatory Ultrasound Bill
Richmond, VA – Governor Bob McDonnell today signed into law House Bill 462, which requires women to have an ultrasound prior to obtaining an abortion and to be offered an opportunity to view the resulting image. Virginia is the eighth state in the nation to adopt this law. “We are deeply disappointed the Governor has signed a bill inserting the government between women and their physicians in one of the most personal, private medical decisions anyone can make,” said Katherine Greenier, Director of the Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU of Virginia. “It is particularly troubling that the law has nothing to do with health care and everything to do with politics.” read more »
State Senate Approves Mandatory Ultrasound Bill, But Many Other Victories for Women’s Rights this Session
Richmond, VA – In a blow to reproductive rights, the Senate today voted to approve House Bill 462, which mandates that women have an ultrasound prior to obtaining an abortion. The narrow approval of this bill mars an otherwise victorious session in which all of the other bills introduced aimed at undermining reproductive rights were defeated. “With the passage of House Bill 462, politicians have stepped into the examining room and inserted themselves in one of the most personal, private medical decisions, for reasons that have nothing to do with health care and everything to do with politics,” said Katherine Greenier, Director of the Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights project at the ACLU of Virginia. “Health care decisions are best made by individuals and their medical providers, not politicians.” read more »
Despite National Spotlight, Senate Committee Approves Controversial Mandatory Ultrasound Bill
Richmond, VA -- The Senate Education and Health Committee today advanced HB 462, which requires a woman to have an ultrasound prior to obtaining an abortion. The bill now heads to the Senate floor. “Today’s vote illustrates how anti-choice legislators are attacking women’s reproductive freedom and privacy rights,” said Katherine Greenier, Director of the Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU of Virginia. “Despite testimony from medical professionals opposing this bill, legislators still approved unnecessary measures that chip away at a woman’s right to control her own body.” read more »
Coalition Calls on General Assembly to Pass Restrictions on the Shackling of Pregnant Prisoners
Richmond, VA– A broad and diverse coalition representing faith-based organizations, women’s rights advocates, and prison reform groups are urging uniform standards regarding the use of restraints on pregnant inmates at state, regional, local, and juvenile correctional facilities in the Commonwealth. “Preventing shackling is a sound policy for Virginia. It’s cruel and unusual punishment—in violation of the Virginia and federal constitutions—to shackle a pregnant woman during labor and delivery,” said Katherine Greenier, Director of the Patricia M. Arnold Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU of Virginia. “Applying such restraints demonstrates a deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious medical needs, and runs counter to long-established Supreme Court precedent protecting prisoners’ Eighth Amendment rights.” read more »
In the Legislature
Insurance Coverage for Abortion
HB 1174 (Marshall, R.G.): Requires all insurance companies that provide plans with abortion coverage in Virginia to also provide plans with substantively identical terms and conditions except that they would not include abortion coverage. This bill places a mandate on insurance companies regardless of whether they participate in the state health care exchange. read more »
Abortion Prohibited after 20 Weeks Gestation
HB 1285 (Anderson); SB 637 (Obenshain): Prohibits abortion after 20 weeks gestation unless, in reasonable medical judgment, the mother’s life is at risk or the mother is at risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. read more »
Budget Amendment to Restore Funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative
Budget Amendment Item 297#14h (Englin): This budget amendment restores funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, which was cut by the Governor in his proposed 2012-2014 budget. TPPI provides sex education and pregnancy prevention services to at-risk teens. read more »
Prohibits Shackling of Pregnant Prisoners
HB 836 (Hope): Prohibits, with few exceptions, state, regional, local, and juvenile correctional facilities from using restraints on any pregnant prisoner during labor, transport, delivery or post-partum recovery. read more »
