The issue of abortion is one usually confined to hospitals, clinics and courtrooms. However, a group of Athens abortion rights advocates and artisans is bringing the issue out in the open through jewelry making.
Last summer, Athens resident Tara Ball received an interesting clay bead in the shape of a fetus from one of her friends. While displaying it among friends, someone jokingly suggested she combine it with a chain made of coat hangers, a symbol associated with the abortion rights movement. She took the advice in stride.
Ball teamed up with jewelry-making friend Kim Hergert, and the name Never Again was given to the coat hanger charm jewelry. From there, they also created Jewelry for Choice, a collaborative effort that involves 10 other artists who are involved not only in the Never Again endeavor, but also in crafting abortion rights jewelry of their own.
Ball began hosting parties where people came to view and purchase their jewelry. The first was held at her house last July followed by two other showings at the Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St. To further promote the abortion rights cause, 25 percent of the proceeds from the artists' sales go to local abortion rights organizations such as Planned Parenthood of Southeast Ohio and the Ohio University chapter of Medical Students for Choice. Through this effort, they have raised more than $800.
While the idea of fetus beads and coat hanger charms might seem shocking, Ball emphasizes the reality of the abortion rights movement in today's society. The coat hanger charms represent a time when many women were forced to seek out back-alley abortions. While this time has long since passed, Ball hopes that these pieces will remind abortion rights and anti-abortion advocates alike of the importance of a woman's right to choose.
We really need to keep in mind that a lot of women have died for this fight and that a lot of women have worked really hard for this fight
Ball said. And if that means being bold if it means putting something out there that people are uncomfortable with we're willing to do that.
While at first Ball and Hergert were reluctant to turn their project into a business, it has since evolved into an organization of sorts for abortion rights supporters. They have received predominantly positive feedback, she said, and plans for future progress are already in the works.
Inquiries should be made to jewelryforchoice@hotmail.com. Their Web site, http://www.jewelryforchoice.com, will be launched soon.
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Kathleen Keish
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