"My goal is to have people come away with agreater, more nuanced appreciation of the otherside," she said.

"I think this event is a good reminder thatpolarization of the two sides and consistentstereotyping by both sides doesn't have to be theend of the debate. There are people on both sideswhose genuine interest and concern are the healthand well-being of both women and children,"Franklin said.

Many audience members agreed with the panelistsin the importance of communication between the twosides in the abortion debate.

"I think whenever there's any issue that is sopersonal and potentially volatile, like theabortion issue is, I think it's so important toget people talking together," said Karen Avery,Assistant Dean of the College.

"I was amazed because I thought that anyonesearching for common ground with the `opposingside' would have to be moderate while these twopeople are very, very strong in their viewpoints,"said Marah C. Stith '02.

"The whole discussion gave me hope in thepossibility of fair legislation," she said.

The Common Ground Network for Life and Choiceis a national organization that brings togetherpro-life and pro-choice activists for peacefuldialogue and cooperative action on issues ofmutual concern