Oscar-nominated actor Julianne Moore, participated in Women Are Watching's special membership and media event, last week in New York. She agreed to share her thoughts about what's at stake in 2012.
In the fall of 2000, I remember speaking with Glamour, about how I wouldn't even consider voting for a candidate who didn't support reproductive rights -- including a woman's right to choose.
It's hard to believe that in 2012 birth control is being threatened, and that there are candidates who think the U.S. Supreme Court victory from 1965, giving married couples the right to use birth control, should be overturned.
And there are some candidates supporting "personhood" policies that could make birth control illegal for all women.
We all know that birth control is essential to women's health. And access to affordable birth control is essential to keeping women healthy.
Let me tell you the story of Courtney E., from Chicago, Ill.
Diagnosed at the age of 17, Courtney suffers from endometriosis -- a health disorder that can cause damage to a woman's reproductive organs. During her college years and in graduate school, she relied on Planned Parenthood to provide her with the low-cost birth control needed to control the damage. Without Planned Parenthood, she wouldn't have been able to afford the medications that kept her healthy enough to become the mother she is today.
There are many other women out there like Courtney -- women who need access to affordable birth control.
So when politicians talk about eliminating Title X, the nation's family planning program, they are talking about taking away affordable birth control from than five million women and men in this country.
And when they say they want to repeal the Affordable Care Act -- they are talking about taking away one of the most significant advances for women's health in a generation -- birth control without co-pays.
So, this year, in this election, I am committing to watching even more vigilantly. And making sure my friends, family, everyone understands what's at stake. I truly can't imagine a more important election for us to make our voices heard. I hope you'll join me.
For more from Julianne Moore make sure to follow her on twitter @_Juliannemoore.
This piece originally appeared on the Women Are Watching blog.