Celebration and Remembrance of the Life of Dr. George Tiller
A Life Dedicated to "Kindness, Courtesy, Justice, Love and Respect"
The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice convened a memorial service June 8, 2009, for the social justice community to honor the life of Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller - champion of women's rights, talented and caring physician, devoted man of faith, loving husband, father and grandfather - was murdered Sunday, May 31, as he handed out worship bulletins in his church in Wichita, Kansas.
More that 300 people attended the service, including
clergy, clinic escorts and staff, former patients, pro-choice organizers
and activists, and concerned members of the community.
Dr. LeRoy Carhart, member of the RCRC Board of Directors and colleague
and friend of Dr. Tiller, gave the eulogy.
Watch a video of the eulogy.
Attendees were deeply moved by the service.
(l to r) Reverend Steven Baines, Rabbi Charles Feinberg, Reverend Karen Brau and Rabbi Joui Hessel read from scripture at the service.
Watch a video of Reverend Karen Brau's moving words of comfort.
Volunteers from the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force provided a Peaceful Presence outside the church before the memorial.
Cecile Richards (left), president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Ann Hanson, Chair of RCRC Council of Governors and Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice with the United Church of Christ, both gave reflections on Dr. Tiller's life.
Enjoying a remembrance of Dr. Tiller's life, women's rights leaders at the memorial service included (L-R): Alice Cohan, Political Director, Feminist Majority Foundation; Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation; Barbara Hayes, President, Maryland NOW; Johanna Ettin, NOW Action Center; Linda Berg, Maryland NOW
Attendees embrace during the emotional ceremony.
