Peggy Wood is Senator Hassan’s Mom. Her note below provides a compelling point of view on our country’s history and the role you can play in it. It’s a bit longer, but we think it’s worth the read. If you’re ready to do your part for freedom today without reading this message, you can donate to Senator Hassan’s campaign here.

Hello,

My daughter Maggie Hassan is a shining star (I know, all parents say that about their kids). Today, I want to talk about the progress we’ve made for women in this country over my lifetime and how Maggie fits into that story.

A number of “firsts” have stayed with me throughout my life, clear as day, as I’m sure they have for many women my age.

I remember when Sandra Day O’Connor broke the pattern of (dare I say old!) men only serving on the Supreme Court when she became the first woman Justice in 1981, and you bet I remember when Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor continued her legacy and made history with three women sitting on the Supreme Court.

I remember when Griswold v. Connecticut was decided, giving women the right to access birth control and allowing them to freely and openly make health care choices for themselves.

And I remember when Roe v. Wade was decided, protecting the right to a safe and legal abortion.

These victories felt personal, as if I had a real stake in them. That’s because I made a conscious choice to get involved. I served on the state board of the local Planned Parenthood when I lived in Connecticut, knocked doors for candidates I cared about, and donated to causes I believed in.

What worries me - and why I’m writing today - is that these fundamental rights (and many others) are under attack.

The nearly 50-year precedent set by Roe v. Wade is on the precipice of being overturned by the Supreme Court's anti-choice majority. The repercussions that would follow this decision would be awful.

I remember when women did not have access to safe and legal abortion: It was dangerous and, at times, deadly. We cannot go back. 

That is why we have to fight twice as hard to protect our fundamental rights as we did to secure them in the first place.

Across the country, partisan politicians are anticipating the end of Roe and launching unprecedented efforts to eviscerate reproductive rights.

States like Texas and Ohio are implementing draconian abortion bans. New Hampshire Republicans have enacted the first abortion ban in modern New Hampshire history. Mitch McConnell is refusing to say whether he’d consider a Supreme Court nominee put forth by a Democratic president if Republicans take back the Senate majority. Threats like these are why my husband would sometimes start breakfast with this question to Maggie and her siblings: “What are you doing for freedom today?”

Well, here is something you can do for freedom right now! We know that many of you have already contributed to Maggie’s campaign, and we hope you can do it again. Just consider this:

She unseated a Republican in her last race by just 1,017 votes, and holding on to her New Hampshire Senate seat could be the difference between holding the Democratic majority or handing it back to Mitch McConnell. Just think: If Maggie had LOST by 1,017 votes, the Affordable Care Act would’ve been repealed and millions would’ve lost critical health insurance!

My daughter’s Senate seat has a history of being one of the most competitive in the country. Your involvement here is crucial. If you’re still reading, I’m asking you one last time to please do your part for freedom and rush $3 or any amount to help reelect Maggie.

Thank you for reading,

Peggy Wood
Maggie’s Mom