Cart 0
The fight for women’s reproductive rights in America has been a long and often painful journey—marked by victories that changed lives, setbacks that broke hearts, and relentless advocacy that kept hope alive. From winning the right to vote to gaining access to birth control and abortion services, every step forward has been hard-earned by generations of women and their allies. Now, many of those hard-won rights are under threat again, and it’s time to reflect on how far we’ve come, why this fight matters, and what’s at stake moving forward.
The Early Struggles: Laying the Foundation
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, women’s rights activists began pushing back against societal norms that confined women to domestic roles and denied them control over their own bodies. The suffragette movement, led by figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, wasn’t just about the right to vote—it was about equality in every sense of the word.
At the same time, women’s reproductive health was shrouded in stigma and restricted by harsh laws. The Comstock Laws of 1873, for instance, made it illegal to distribute contraceptives or even information about family planning. These laws sent a clear message: women’s bodies were for reproduction, not autonomy or choice.
The Birth Control Movement: A Pivotal Turning Point
Fast forward to the early 20th century, and activists like Margaret Sanger began to challenge these oppressive norms head-on. Sanger’s relentless work led to the opening of the first birth control clinic in 1916 and eventually to the founding of Planned Parenthood. Her efforts helped spark a broader movement that made access to contraception a public conversation.
In 1965, the Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut struck down laws banning married couples from using contraceptives, finally affirming the right to privacy in reproductive decisions. It was a monumental step forward, setting the stage for even bigger changes. Learn more about Griswold v. Connecticut.
Roe v. Wade and the Expansion of Rights
In 1973, the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade changed everything. For the first time, women had a constitutional right to choose abortion, free from excessive government interference. It wasn’t just about medical procedures—it was about affirming women’s right to make decisions about their own bodies. Read about Roe v. Wade.
The ripple effects of Roe were profound. Women gained greater control over their lives, careers, and futures. For many, it symbolized dignity and equality—a recognition that their autonomy mattered as much as anyone else’s.
The Backlash and Erosion of Rights
But progress has never come without pushback. In the decades following Roe, anti-abortion movements gained strength, leading to a patchwork of state laws that slowly chipped away at abortion access. Mandatory waiting periods, parental consent laws, and burdensome clinic regulations began to limit what Roe had guaranteed.
The tipping point came in 2022 with Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe erased federal protections for abortion rights, leaving it up to individual states to decide. The result? A wave of near-total abortion bans across many states, leaving countless people without access to essential healthcare. Read more about Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
The Threat to Assisted Reproductive Technologies
This erosion of reproductive rights in America isn’t just about abortion—it could extend to technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). I have close friends who struggled to conceive their second child. They are a wonderful couple and devoted parents who had one child and wanted to expand their family. After trying for years, they decided to seek professional help. I even helped the wife with her hormone shots when her husband was out of town (which makes the baby a little bit mine too, right?). Today, they have a beautiful little girl. But under emerging “personhood” laws, which treat embryos as legal persons, the process they went through might not be possible in the future. Yet, in some states, the law still permits forcing someone to give birth after rape. How does that make any sense?
States like Alabama have already seen IVF treatments disrupted due to legal interpretations that classify frozen embryos as children. Read more about the potential impact on IVF. These laws jeopardize not only women’s autonomy but also the ability of couples to create and grow their families in ways that are safe and medically supported.
Where We’re Headed: The Challenges and Opportunities
The overturning of Roe has ignited a new wave of activism. Grassroots organizers, artists, and advocates are stepping up in extraordinary ways to support those affected by restrictive laws—whether that’s through legal battles, mutual aid networks, or creative forms of resistance.
But the fight is far from over. Justice Clarence Thomas’s concurring opinion in the Dobbs case suggested that other landmark cases, like Griswold v. Connecticut (protecting access to contraception), might also be revisited. This has sparked fears that the battle for bodily autonomy is only just beginning.
It’s also crucial to recognize how these restrictions disproportionately harm marginalized communities. Black, Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, low-income, and immigrant individuals already face systemic barriers to healthcare. These new laws only deepen those inequities, making intersectional advocacy more important than ever.
Why This Fight Matters
At its core, the fight for reproductive rights in America is about freedom. It’s about ensuring that everyone has the power to make decisions about their own body without interference or judgment. It’s about dignity, equality, and the fundamental right to shape your own future.
As we look back on the progress made and forward to the battles ahead, one thing is clear: this fight isn’t over. We owe it to future generations to keep pushing, to keep advocating, and to never stop fighting for a world where everyone’s rights are protected. Learn more about reproductive justice.
