A life devoted to women’s rights is one way to define Barbara Holzmark, this year’s recipient of the Dr. George Tiller Courage Award. The Kansas Choice Alliance presented Holzmark with the award on March 14 in Topeka during its annual Voices for Choice event. She has been fighting the battle for a woman’s right to control her own health for more than 25 years. It is a battle that is still at the forefront of politics today.
Holzmark’s work in advocacy began in earnest through the National Council of Jewish Women, Kansas City Section and her work with the Kansas State PTA, when she was placed on the Kansas Governor’s Commission on Education for Parenthood. As a member of the Governor’s Commission in 1985, she was asked to work on a project concerning the topic of Sex Education in the Home, School and Community. Eventually the Governor’s Commission and the PTA conducted a survey to find out what type of sex education was happening in Kansas. The results of the survey led to the mandate on human sexuality and AIDS education that started in the Kansas schools in 1987.
“1987 was my big year,” Holzmark said. “That is the year of my turning point in realizing what I can do. It became the time when I became more active. I went to DC with NCJW and met with legislators. I knew how to do it because I had been going to Topeka. It was natural for me.”
In July of 1989, Holzmark finished her NCJW presidency. She was sent to Wichita to represent the local NCJW Section at a meeting when the Kansas Choice Alliance (KCA) was formed, and became the alliance’s first treasurer.
“As soon as I could, I had a program with NCJW and Comprehensive Health for Women, which eventually became Planned Parenthood,” she added.
By now she had also become an active volunteer in Operation Rescue in Wichita, and in January 1990 Holzmark helped found the Roe v. Wade celebration, which was held every January in Topeka. Now it is called Voices for Choice, and this is the second year it was held in March.
Her work for women’s rights has not gone unnoticed.
“The Dr. George Tiller Courage Award was created to recognize individuals who have shown extraordinary courage in standing up for women’s rights and access to comprehensive reproductive health care in Kansas,” said Sheila Kostas, public affairs director for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.
“This year’s recipient, Barbara Holzmark, was also a founding member of the Kansas Choice Alliance …. not only was she at the table as a representative of NCJW when the Kansas Choice Alliance was formed in 1989, she has continued to serve as the driving force of KCA for the past 23 years as an ever present voice in the fight to protect reproductive rights and choice in Kansas.”
Holzmark is currently president of KCA.
“My advocacy is in real life issues,” she said. “It is these real life issues that have taken me above and beyond. I cannot stand the thought that women in their own homes cannot do what they want to do. I see it as a Conservative view on wanting to turn the clock back on Roe. I think that is their aim in life. As soon as Roe is no longer legal, they will be happy. I think it is more than just a war on women.”
A recipient of NCJW’s highest award, the Hannah G. Solomon Award, in 2000, Holzmark would love to see more women become active in advocacy.
“I now tell people that I am 100 percent for choice without any restrictions because it is up to a woman to do what she wants to do with her body, her health after conferring with those she wants to confer with,” she said. “It is called respect. We have to respect how they feel, so why can’t they respect how we feel.”
“If the America Medical Association can say this is a safe operation and they do not declare it harmful for women, why are we concerned,” she added.
Holzmark is honored to receive the Dr. George Tiller Award.
“It is quite an honor,” she said. “I guess because I have been in it for so long, someone has recognized me. I am not looking for honor or glory, I always wanted what was best for women.”
“In honoring Barbara with the Dr. George Tiller Courage Award,” Kostas said when presenting the award to Holzmark, “I’m reminded of Dr. Tiller’s bravery and courage, but also of his unique way of teaching by example …. Barbara is a shining example of what it means to be courageous as we work to provide compassionate care to women in need. Barbara is also a shining example of what it means to be courageous when it comes to standing strong and unwavering in this fight. …
“Barbara has been a stalwart supporter and anchor for all of us as we’ve faced challenge after challenge and assault after assault on women’s health in the Kansas Legislature. Through it all, she has always maintained a smile and positive attitude while doing everything she could to encourage others to join the fight.”