Grayson Dempsey has spent over ten years working in the reproductive rights and health movement. She is the Founder of Backline, an international nonprofit organization that promotes connection, conversation and support around pregnancy, parenting, abortion and adoption, and currently works as a consultant specializing in pregnancy options training for healthcare professionals and advocates. Ms. Dempsey has worked for affiliates of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America as well as for independent abortion clinics and healthcare organizations. She has served as a contributor to works such as “Mom, Dad, I’m Pregnant”: Promoting Healthy Teen/Parent Communication; The Reproductive Justice Briefing Book: A Primer on Reproductive Justice and Social Change; and Pastoral Counseling for Reproductive Loss: A Seminar for Pro-Choice Clergy of All Faiths. She is the author of the Abortion Diaries Discussion Guide and co-author of Providing Abortion Care: A Professional Toolkit for Nurse-Midwives, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. In recent years, Ms. Dempsey has served as a consultant to organizations such as the Abortion Care Network, Ipas, the Abortion Access Project, Oregon Health & Science University, and Pro Kan Do. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Open Adoption & Family Services as well as the Advisory Boards of Backline and Nursing Students for Choice.
In the twelve years that I have worked as a pregnancy options counselor, no story has ever been told to me in exactly the same way, and no question has ever been so simple as to require a rote response.
This Mother’s Day, move beyond brunch to acknowledge the courageous acts of all mothers, and wake up Monday morning ready to work toward a world in which pregnancy, parenting, abortion and adoption choices are all honored fully and equally.
Stepping out of one's comfort zone, asking the tough questions about what it means to be pro-choice, exposing one's fears and learning about fellow advocates—the Abortion Conversation Project addresses it all.
