HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-14 Recognition �
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� BANGOR C ITY COUNC I L
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CITY oF BANGOR
October 16, 2019
To the Founders of Mabel Wadsworth Center Sharan Barker, Ruth L. Lockhart, Terry Marley-DeRosier,
Phil Worden, and Mabel Sine Wadsworth (posthumous)e
On behaif of the City of Bangor, the City Council, and the citizens of Bangor, I want ta thank you for your
service to the community in creating The Mabel Wadsworth Center as a valuable resource far the health
and wellness of our citizens. Since 1984, The Center has been supporting our community as the only
private, not-for-prafit, independent health center in Maine, and one of only fourteen in the United 5tateso
Inspired by Mabel Wadsworth°s belief in women's empowerment through knowledge and advocacy, The
Center warks to carry out her vision of reproductive choice and control for all women. You have secured
an alternative model for health care delivery and self-empowerment by forgoing state and federal funding
while emphasizing a commitment to your values. Your vision and forward thinking are a large reason why
The Center has been able to withstand fluctuating federaB and state policies an repraductive health care
and has been a beacon to those needing affordable health care services.
Mabel stressed that feadership development is paramount to continuing her wark on behalf of women
ever here. The Center has obviously excelled at this task, as 35 years later your work continues, now
providing high-quality, client-centered, nonjudgmental sexual and reproductive health care for people of
all genders,
The Center has done the difficult work of always staying ahead of the t�mes, changing to meet the needs
of the community, and advocating to bring the law with them. Open and affirming, The Center has
addressed the needs specific to the LGBTQ+ community from having will workshops to ease a partner°s
passrng prior to marriage equality to compassionately and respectfully affering gender affirming support.
The Mabel Wadsworth Genter's mission to provide health care using a feminist madel focused on sexual
and reproductive health through education, advocacy, and clinicaf services has also gone beyond the
walls of the building. The Center has often callaborated with communitya regional, and state partners to
increase awareness about broader issues of reproductive Justice such as health care access,fair wages
and economic security, and civil rights.
For all the reasons stated above and more, you have made the citizens of Bangor proud, and on behalf of
the City of Bangor, I wauld like ta extend our heartfelt gratitude for your wark in advocacy, education, and
providing caree This key is a representation of the City's appreciation and support of ail yaur
accomplishments. We are pleased to present each of you with a key to the City of Bangor which is meant
to symbolically represent that the doors af Bangor are open to you always,
Sincerely,
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Sarah Nichols,
Mayor, City of Bangor
73 HARLOW 5TREET, BANGOR ME 04401
TELEPHONE: (207} 992-4204 EMAIL: COUNCIL@BANGORMAINE.GOV
WWW.BANGORMAINE.GUV