Today, May 3, 2022, marks the third anniversary of the day Bell To Belles was co-founded.

This letter was at first intended to be a look into our past, a glimpse into our future, and a thank you note to all the readers, contributors, and women in wrestling who helped make Bell To Belles what it is today.

Though we’re always grateful to everyone who helped shape Bell To Belles, we find it hard to celebrate when so many women are potentially being stripped of the right to control their own health, after a leaked drafted opinion suggested that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade. And when you realize that women of marginalized groups are the ones who will suffer the most, the situation becomes more grave than we can imagine.

The reality is, it’s not just women who will suffer, either. Roe v. Wade was decided on the implied right to privacy, as granted by the 14th Amendment’s language, stating “…nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” “Liberty” being the key word.

Other cases decided in similar ways include: Griswold v. Connecticut, which covers birth control rights; Loving v. Virginia, which covers interracial marriage; Lawrence v. Texas which struck down laws that tried to criminalize same-sex sexual relationships; Obergefell v. Hodges, which protected the rights of same-sex marriage. Though nothing has been decided yet, all of these liberties are at stake. The liberties of our family, friends, and neighbors.

Bell To Belles was founded on the mission to promote, embolden, and advocate women in wrestling. At the core, though, Bell To Belles’ mission is to advocate for women’s rights, including rights previously given to women in regards to healthcare. That advocacy extends to marginalized groups of all kinds; those who struggle every day in obtaining the unalienable rights given to us in our Declaration of Independence: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

So, while so many Americans deal with the heartbreaking news that will unfold over the next few months, Bell To Belles finds it hard to celebrate our birthday. We will still release the planned interviews and features over the course of the next few weeks. We still feel an incredible amount of gratitude for every person who supported Bell To Belles over the past three years. We wouldn’t be here without that support.

However, it’s time to divert our attention to where it’s needed the most. If you can, please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds, who works with local abortion organizations across the country to remove barriers to abortion access. They offer many ways to give, including supporting specific local abortion funds and collaborative fundraising. Below, you can watch a video in which NNAF explains Roe v. Wade in detail, facts about abortion, and where donations go when received.

Thank you to everyone in the women’s wrestling community, and wrestling community at-large, for helping to empower Bell To Belles and our mission. Now, we look forward to the future, and get ready for the battles ahead.