Dear Mr. Lebowski,
As I am sure you are well aware the month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month–or SAAM colloquially–but with stories like the rape of women and girls in ISIS captivity, fraternities attempting to prohibit schools from investigating sexual assaults, and revenge porn victims finally getting some justice in the news lately it would be a difficult feat for anyone to be unaware of just how prevalent sexual assault is in the U. S. of A. While #EverydaySexism is rampant, one in three women and one in six men experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, so it’s no wonder why organizations like the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and support groups like Pandora’s Project unfortunately must exist!
SAAM is organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and this year the campaign focuses on sexual assaults occurring on university campuses were an appalling 90% of sexual assault occurrences go unreported. In response to campus sexual violence NSVRC highlights such resources as the government-run Not Alone, SAFER: Students Active For Ending Rape, the bystander-focused It’s On Us, and organizations and information surrounding the Title IX legislation like the Clery Center and Know Your IX. Consent has also been a hot topic of late, with some states and universities enacting “Yes Means Yes” laws to combat rape culture.
I apologize for yammering on, Mr. Lebowski, but I wanted you to understand the climate from which I am coming when making this request of you. Sunday my associates and I are taking to the lanes you are so fond of to raise money for The Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity. This organization helps those in Central Texas who otherwise might not be able to afford a safe, legal abortion. The National Network of Abortion Funds hosts Bowl-a-Thons across the country every year, and this year we are determined that Maude’s Zesty Enterprise will meet our goal of raising 1,356 bones, or clams, or whatever you call them.
The dollar amount, one-thousand three-hundred fifty-six, may seem odd but that is the precise cost for two first trimester surgical abortion procedures in Austin, and while it is a lofty goal, any amount you or your generous friends can give would be most appreciated… we are going balls out after all! Hahaha. We will be accepting donations through the end of the month here. I look forward to our next rendezvous Dude, and hope you are well. Thank you in advance!
With Love,
Maude
Feminist Activism 
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