This piece by Katie Breslin originally ran on the Huffington Post. Katie, the chair of the Trinity Washington University College Democrats, formerly served as the Women’s Caucus chair for the College Democrats of America. Katie serves on the DC Democratic Committee, and blogs on GenwhyPress.

2011 was a tough year for women’s health advocates. It felt like every week was a battle with Republicans across the country to protect the rights women hold so dear. During these battles, such as the one for defunding Planned Parenthood, President Obama has stood strong with women’s health advocates and protected women against the Republicans who were trying to stop us from moving forward.

On January 20th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a ruling that required nearly all employers to offer contraceptive coverage and preventive care. By August 2012, most health insurance plans will include contraceptive coverage with no co-pay — a blessing for any poor college student. The Obama Administration and other faith-based organizations have negotiated a deal to allow religious institutions to have an additional year to comply with the Affordable Care Act regulations. This seems fair and as a Catholic woman I understand the action as one of respect towards the Catholic Church’s teachings.

HHS’s decision will help millions of women, sexually active or not. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 14 percent of pill users use the pill for exclusively for non-contraceptive purposes. Access to contraceptives is a public health issue. Birth control, the most prescribed medication for young and middle-aged women, should be covered with no co-pay because it is has significant health benefits when used. Access to contraceptives is a public health issue.

When I am looking for a candidate that stood by women and fought for access to birth control, Barack Obama will be my candidate. Mitt Romney’s political career has been a stem of bad policies about women. Romney is too concerned with the 1%, and not concerned enough about making health care more affordable for everyone. From vetoing a bill to require hospitals to offer emergency contraceptives to rape victims to proposing to the support of personhood amendments (sometimes), Romney is not a friend to women. When women are looking for a friend in health, Barack Obama has filled that role with ease.

On January 22, 1973, the face of American politics was forever changed, and the abortion debate has remained at the forefront of the political realm ever since. For women and their families, Roe v. Wade represents so much more than the right to seek a safe, legal abortion—it reflects our country’s evolving views on women’s autonomy, our voices, and our life choices. While the decision may still ignite debate in today’s political atmosphere, it is women who are at the forefront of these discussions. Rather than having to seek consent from a spouse or family member for difficult decisions, women are now able to decide for themselves.

Greater access to family planning methods has allowed women to make great strides in leadership. By empowering women and respecting freedom of choice, Roe v. Wade marked a major step forward in this country.

While our democracy entitles us to have different opinions and perspectives on the issue, that same democracy entitles women and their families to make their own medical and personal decisions without the interference of partisan politics.

As the President of the College Democrats of America, I know that many young women are faced with difficult choices. I stand with President Obama in his commitment to developing initiatives that help prevent unplanned pregnancies, encourage healthy relationships, promote adoption, and support pregnant women and mothers. These are the promises the president made at last year’s anniversary. This year, I am proud to be a part of the discussion. I want to ensure that my friends and family, and eventually my daughters and granddaughters enjoy these same freedoms. So today, as we look back on 39 years of the right to choose, I choose to stand on the side of freedom, privacy, and progress.