President's Message

Greetings, Friends—

Spring 2025 is upon us, which means KAF’s annual fundraiser is around the corner. All the information is included in the newsletter—please join us!

By the numbers

KAF grew out of the volunteerism of a few determined women in 1996. These women were deeply committed to providing access to abortion care in Kansas, so they created a phone tree to help people in dire need of resources. From these humble beginnings, KAF has continued to fill an immense need for Kansans.

In 2024 KAF funded 1,310 abortions, spending $388,302, compared to 1,116 abortions in 2023 when we spent $287,329. Based upon the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s reported data, KAF is now funding 25.6% of all Kansas residents receiving abortions. This is an enormous contrast to 2018, when KAF funded only 9.7%.

These numbers show that KAF is a major player in funding health care in our state.

Julie Sheppard

Alas, I’ll take a moment to reflect on the passing of a huge presence in reproductive health care in Kansas, and a dear friend—Julie Sheppard.

Julie was the President of the Kansas Abortion Fund prior to me, and a force to be reckoned with. Her brilliance was one-of-a-kind and her love of life beyond measure. Please read her obituary here.

Thank you to our supporters

Finally—these are difficult times, for sure, friends. Despite the political attacks on our shared values and mission, KAF will always remain a caring, supportive community. We would love to see you at Fund-a-Thon to share and celebrate our collective commitment to reproductive justice and compassion for our community members in need of access to abortion care

In Solidary,

Sandy Brown

President 

GOP has launched a sneaky plan to ban abortion in Kansas. At least that’s what it looks like.

OPINION

by Clay Wirestone

I’m not saying that GOP lawmakers have an elaborate plan to ban all abortions in Kansas.

But if they did, they’d be doing exactly what they’re doing now.

Women enjoy reproductive freedom here thanks to the Hodes and Nauser ruling from the state Supreme Court in 2019. The justices found that abortion access was a fundamental right under the Kansas Constitution. Legislative Republicans tried to change that with a constitutional amendment, which voters overwhelmingly rejected on Aug. 2, 2022. Importantly, that vote merely preserved the status quo. It did not protect the right in perpetuity.

So now Republicans want to change the court itself.

Senators have proposed a plan that would call for justices to be publicly elected. Alternate ideas have included adding a confirmation process. (Currently, the public weighs in via regular retention votes for justices.) Either change would likely result in a significantly more conservative court that would allow bans on abortion and significant reductions in education spending.

Reaching such outcomes requires passing a constitutional amendment, which would have to first be approved by both chambers in the Statehouse and then clear a public vote. I would expect advocates to spend big and attempt to mislead Kansans.

Again, I’m not saying that Topeka Republicans desperately want to ban abortion and harm Kansas women. I’m not saying they want to do an end run around the clear will of Kansans in 2022.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate.

This opinion piece is reprinted courtesy of the Kansas Reflector. Go to https://kansasreflector.com/subscribe/ to sign up for the Kansas Reflector’s free newsletter.

Abortion for All, Y’all! Fund-A-Thon 2025

Join us for the Abortion For All, Y’all, 2025 Fund-a-Thon!

WITH LIVE MUSIC BY MIRE PRAL

We’re raising $50,000 to earn a matching $50,000 from NNAF, and with y’all’s help, we’ll make it happen! So, pitch in what you can, and be sure to RSVP for our The Big Yee-Haw for Repro Rights on April 25 to lasso every last dollar for abortion access!

We’ll be giving away and raffling off lots of fun swag and goodies, and we’ll be enjoying the live music of Mire Pral! It all goes down Fri., April 25, from 7-10 p.m., at Lucia in Downtown Lawrence.

To donate or buy a ticket to the Big Yee-Haw for Repro Rights event, visit our website:

https://fund.nnaf.org/KAF2025Fundathon

The music of Mire Pral, Fun Swag and Raffle Prizes await at the Yee-Haw for Repro Rights at Lucia in Downtown Lawrence!

Friday, April 25, 7-10PM

Other Ways to Donate to the Kansas Abortion Fund:

Dillons Community Rewards Dollars: KAF XP838

| kansasabortionfund.org