Dear John,

I am reaching out to you at a critical juncture for women's rights in Florida. Since the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Florida legislature has considered more and more severe measures to restrict abortion.

Recently, the state Legislature passed a severe six-week abortion ban, leaving almost no exceptions for cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother. And just last week, an extremist politician introduced a new bill in the legislature that completely blocks abortions for adults with no exceptions for rape or incest. It also defines personhood as beginning at the moment of fertilization - setting a dangerous precedent that may indicate their desire to ban birth control.

The abortion ban is a direct assault on women's autonomy and our ability to make decisions for ourselves and our families. And we need to fight back.

That's why I went to work immediately to co-found the Florida Women's Freedom Coalition, a group of community organizations representing the entire political spectrum dedicated to getting the right to an abortion on the ballot next fall.

John, I know what it takes to get things done. I was the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Clinton administration in the 1990s and helped bring mifepristone (the lifesaving abortion pill) to the US. And until 2021, I represented Florida in Congress, where I fought day in and day out for the health and well-being of my constituents.

Our efforts in Florida have gained significant momentum, thanks to an incredibly robust grassroots movement and attention from supporters all around the country. We've already mobilized over a million people who have signed petitions, demanding a vote on abortion access in the upcoming ballot.

But in my experience helping lead this campaign thus far, I know what we need most: resources. That's why today I'm reaching out with an urgent request for you to support the Florida Women's Freedom Coalition and our effort to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Please, will you rush a donation of $25 now to help defend women’s rights?

It's time to join forces, raise our voices and show the world that we will not back down when it comes to defending women's rights and autonomy. Thank you for being with us.

Sincerely,

The Honorable Donna Shalala
Former Congressional Representative for FL-27
Former Secretary of Health and Human Services