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Amie Newman
Aradia Women� s Health Center
(206) 323-1042
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Aradia Women�s Health Center Thanks Executive Director Marcy Bloom For Eighteen-Year Legacy

Marcy Bloom Ends Tenure as Director of the First, Nonprofit Women�s Health Center in Seattle

Seattle, May 4, 2006� On Friday, May 12, 2006, Aradia Women�s Health Center (AWHC) will bid farewell and best wishes to its esteemed director Marcy Bloom, the longest-term leader in its thirty-three year history. Marcy�s resignation leaves an outstanding legacy of groundbreaking activism focused extensively on the destigmatization of abortion, ensuring cultural proficiency and providing eighteen years of leadership in the reproductive rights and health community in Seattle. Marcy has been at the helm of Seattle�s first, nonprofit abortion and gynecological health center since 1987. Thanks to Marcy�s leadership, what began as a small collective of four women with dreams of better health care for women is now a thriving non-profit organization with an expert medical team, a communications and outreach department engaged in regional, national, and international activities and a diverse and skilled Board of Directors.

Marcy Bloom says, �I am excited about passing the torch to new leadership. I am retiring to pursue other initiatives in my life, including the writing of a book based on my reproductive health and rights career, and to travel. I have given my all to this amazing organization that serves women so uniquely and I leave it knowing that it is in strong and capable hands.�

�Marcy is a fearless visionary, and we are going to miss her very much,� says current Board President, Scott Leopold. �She has contributed so much to advance the cause of women's reproductive rights. Marcy has earned her place in the human rights Hall of Fame."

Through Marcy�s guidance and passion for the mission of Aradia, the organization has grown into a strong and viable organization. Over the years, Marcy�s extensive contributions have included overseeing the organization�s mission and unique message to regional, national and international audiences through communications and outreach campaigns. Aradia has earned a place in the reproductive rights dialogue both in the United States and in Mexico. Marcy has been a leader in the reproductive rights movement here in Seattle for almost twenty years and was integral in the passage of Initiative 120 in 1991 and the defeat of the anti-choice Initiative 694 in 1998.

Aradia Women�s Health Center is now embarking on a thorough search for a new Executive Director. The Board of Directors and staff of the center look forward to this new phase in Aradia�s growth and are committed to continuing to provide the community with the expert medical care, progressive community education initiatives and passionate public dialogue on reproductive rights.

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