Behind Every Choice is a Story
I’ve read in several locations about the goofy irony of Planned Parenthood requiring minor participants in their web‘poster’ contest to have parental permission. That is so, well, ironic in light of the fact that you certainly don’t need parental permission to obtain their services that there is nothing I could say that would that would be anymore absurd than their own:
3. Children under age 18 must have a parent or legal guardian's permission* to submit their designs and for us to publish it along with their name.

So here’s my brainstorm. The rules are quite simple:
Contest Guidelines
1. Submit an original piece of artwork or poster that celebrates 30 years of choice and illustrates the concept that "Behind Every Choice is a Story."
2. Any original artwork or graphic work, using any tool or medium, is eligible. Keep in mind that we will display the winning artwork via the Web, so any artwork not created in electronic format will have to be converted so that it is displayed electronically.
3. The winners of the contest will be asked to submit a high resolution PDF for printing purposes.
4. Entries must be received no later than December 13, 2002.
5. Entries will receive votes from Web site visitors during the time period of December 20 - January 9. First Place winner will receive $800; Second Place, $350; Third Place, $150.

Thirty years after Roe, I think we all have a story. It may not be about our personal choices. But we all know a story. Wouldn’t it be great to deluge Planned Parenthood with our ideas of the stories behind the choices? I certainly will not count on the $800 first prize for my Christmas shopping. (and who picked a weird amount like $800, anyway.) But it would be worth the effort to bother them. Here’s the link, if you wish to join the fun! It’s open to the public. Let’s get to work. And get your mom’s permission if you are under 18!!!