Nancy Keenan
Encyclopedia
Nancy Keenan is the current president of the United States
-based reproductive/abortion rights organization NARAL Pro-Choice America
.
Keenan was born in Anaconda, Montana
. She earned an undergraduate degree in education from Montana State University and master's degree from the University of Montana. Keenan began her career as a special-education teacher before winning election to the Montana House of Representatives
. In 1988 she won the first of three terms as the statewide elected Superintendent of Public Instruction for Montana. She served until 2000. In 2000, Keenan ran for the Montana at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat. She was defeated by Republican Denny Rehberg
. From 2003-2004, Keenan worked as the Education Policy Director of the organization People For the American Way
(PFAW).
Keenan became president of NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2004. As president, Keenan has advocated for access to abortion
, but she has also attempted to change the nature of the debate around reproductive rights
issues in the United States. For example, in 2006, she said that while pro-choice
and pro-life
people don't agree on abortion
"we should be able to agree that we can reduce unintended pregnancies" by (as a NARAL ad stated) "guaranteeing women's access to birth control
, including the 'morning-after' pill
, making sure our kids receive honest, realistic sex education
, and increasing support for family-planning
services." In a speech presented on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade
, Keenan asked supporters to acknowledge "a woman's right to choose is a morally complex issue, and a lot less black and white than it’s been made out to be." She discussed the pro-choice position in terms of moral values. She reiterated the position that reducing unintended pregnancy is a "core moral value" in her speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
.
Washingtonian Magazine
named Nancy Keenan as one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington, DC in 2006. She has appeared on MSNBC
and other news broadcasts, and is frequently quoted by The Washington Post
, The New York Times
, Associated Press
, and other news services.
Keenan was strongly critical of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which places limits on taxpayer-funded abortions in the context of the November 2009 Affordable Health Care for America Act
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based reproductive/abortion rights organization NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America , formerly the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, then National Abortion Rights Action League, and later National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, is an organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose...
.
Keenan was born in Anaconda, Montana
Anaconda, Montana
Anaconda, county seat of Anaconda City/Deer Lodge County, is located in mountainous southwestern Montana. The Continental Divide passes within 8 miles of the community with the local Pintler Mountain range reaching 10,379 feet...
. She earned an undergraduate degree in education from Montana State University and master's degree from the University of Montana. Keenan began her career as a special-education teacher before winning election to the Montana House of Representatives
Montana House of Representatives
The Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years.-Composition of the House:...
. In 1988 she won the first of three terms as the statewide elected Superintendent of Public Instruction for Montana. She served until 2000. In 2000, Keenan ran for the Montana at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat. She was defeated by Republican Denny Rehberg
Denny Rehberg
Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
. From 2003-2004, Keenan worked as the Education Policy Director of the organization People For the American Way
People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...
(PFAW).
Keenan became president of NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2004. As president, Keenan has advocated for access to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, but she has also attempted to change the nature of the debate around reproductive rights
Reproductive rights
Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...
issues in the United States. For example, in 2006, she said that while pro-choice
Pro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
and pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
people don't agree on abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
"we should be able to agree that we can reduce unintended pregnancies" by (as a NARAL ad stated) "guaranteeing women's access to birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
, including the 'morning-after' pill
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception , or emergency postcoital contraception, refers to birth control measures that, if taken after sexual intercourse, may prevent pregnancy.Forms of EC include:...
, making sure our kids receive honest, realistic sex education
Sex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
, and increasing support for family-planning
Family planning
Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and...
services." In a speech presented on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade, , was a controversial landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The Court decided that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion,...
, Keenan asked supporters to acknowledge "a woman's right to choose is a morally complex issue, and a lot less black and white than it’s been made out to be." She discussed the pro-choice position in terms of moral values. She reiterated the position that reducing unintended pregnancy is a "core moral value" in her speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
.
Washingtonian Magazine
Washingtonian (magazine)
Washingtonian is a monthly magazine distributed in the Washington, DC area since 1965. The magazine describes itself as "the magazine Washington lives by." The magazine's core focuses are local feature journalism, guide book-style articles, and real estate advice.-Editorial Content:Washingtonian...
named Nancy Keenan as one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington, DC in 2006. She has appeared on MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
and other news broadcasts, and is frequently quoted by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, and other news services.
Keenan was strongly critical of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which places limits on taxpayer-funded abortions in the context of the November 2009 Affordable Health Care for America Act
Affordable Health Care for America Act
The Affordable Health Care for America Act was a bill that was crafted by the United States House of Representatives in November 2009. At the encouragement of the Obama administration, the 111th Congress devoted much of its time to enacting reform of the United States' health care system...
.