By Teresa Garnazian

“Pregnant And Need Help? Call Birthright: 688-4496”

This ad, running daily in our local papers, provides a contact with a trained volunteer who firmly believes “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.”

A year ago in Atlanta there was no specific crisis center where a distressed girl or woman could find immediate help with an unplanned pregnancy. Today – because of Birthright, it’s a different story. That story unfolds itself in the following interview with Mrs. Terry Weaver, Director of Birthright.

Q. How did Birthright get underway in Atlanta?

A. In 1968 when a liberalized abortion law was introduced in Georgia those of us defending the baby’s right to life were frequently posed the pertinent question: ”What are you doing to help the poor woman or unwanted child?” It was then I realized a positive step should be taken. With the help and advice of Louise Summerhill, founder of Birthright in Toronto, Canada and many professional people locally and nationally who shared our concern, work was started toward opening a Birthright center in Atlanta. Space was donated in the St. Vincent de Paul office, 316 Ivy St., N.E. where we operate at present and after an intensive training program, we opened our crises center.

Q. What is involved in a training session?

A. A training session includes talks by a doctor, minister, social worker and an attorney. A volunteer is trained to present alternatives to the client, letting her reach all decisions herself. Many people are unaware of the alternatives that are available and the help that is available within the community. All calls are strictly confidential. Problems which seem large dwindle with sympathetic listening and understanding. Many women reach a crisis during pregnancy where they feel things are unbearable. Birthright provides the opportunity to get the woman through the crisis and panic period. The volunteer considers each women’s particular circumstances so there is no set pattern in helping a client. The volunteer must be able to answer such questions as: How can I tell if I am pregnant? Should I tell my family? Where can I obtain good medical care? Where can I place my baby for adoption? Can I keep my baby? How can I support another child? Where can I live until my baby is born? The volunteer must be alert to the emotional, psychological, financial and social problems that confront the caller and direct her to the proper agencies or individuals, always, letting her feel free to come back for support and encouragement. By establishing rapport on a one-to-one basis, Birthright hopes to offer the pregnant woman a positive alternative to abortion. Birthright has no official stand on whether or not an unmarried woman should keep her baby. This decision is left strictly to the mother.

Q. What are the office hours?

A. Ten ‘til two, Monday through Friday and on Monday evening from six til 9. A recording is used at other hours. Girls are invited to come by for coffee and a visit as well as to call.

Q. What are the most urgent needs of your group?

A. We depend entirely on donations for our existence, so naturally contributions are always welcome. One church group sponsors a monthly bake sale to pay for a second telephone. Two mothers collect glass for recycling to raise money. We have an almost desperate need for diapers (usable used ones are gratefully accepted), baby clothes, maternity clothes, gowns and dusters for the mother to use while in the hospital, baby furniture of any kind, crib sheets, pads, etc. We can use volunteers to drive, mend clothing, launder clothing, and for housing. Our goal for early ’72 is a center where the girls can come and meet one another and talk over their problems in pleasant surroundings. Last but not least, we could use more volunteers.

An ad in the paper, a friendly voice showing love and concern, a pooling of community resources for a pregnant women in distress – and an unborn child receives the most basic of all his rights –his right to life.