The Fall of Roe
Losing Roe started long before we even got It. The Supreme Court that made the Dobbs decision was comprised of ​Justices appointed by a President who lost the popular vote. To understand the present, we have to re-examine the past. ​That is where we find our answers, and that is how we make the changes we need.
1800
Thomas Jefferson
The Electoral College becomes a target of ​manipulation by Thomas Jefferson. He made it his ​mission to convince electors in other states to ​choose him over Adams.
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1804
12th Amendment
Modified how the Electoral College chose the President and ​Vice President. Instead of the winner being President and ​runner-up becoming Vice President, it molded into what it is ​today- Running mates.
1860's
Underground Abortion
During the 1860s a number of states passed anti-abortion laws. ​Most of these laws were ambiguous and difficult to enforce. ​After 1860 stronger anti-abortion laws were passed and these ​laws were more vigorously enforced. As a result, many women ​began to utilize illegal underground abortion services.
1868
14th Amendment Passed
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, ​and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of ​the United States and of the state wherein they ​reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which ​shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens ​of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any ​person of life, liberty, or property, without due ​process of law; nor deny to any person within its ​jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
1910
Church Mission
A group of male doctors (backed by the Catholic ​Church) made it their mission to take reproductive ​health away from women as midwives leading to ​abortion being banned nationwide by 1910.
The Great Depression
Even after abortions became illegal, women ​continued to have them; they just weren’t ​advertised the same way.
1960's
Call "Jane"
The Women’s Liberation Movement began and the ​underground abortion network ran ads in newspapers: ​“Pregnant? Don’t want to be? Call Jane,” each member ​of the group answered the phone as “Jane.”
The "Janes"
From left: Martha Scott, Jeanne Galatzer-​Levy, Abby Pariser, Sheila Smith and ​Madeline Schwenk.
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1969
Norma McCorvey
The case was brought by Norma McCorvey—under the legal pseudonym "Jane Roe" Her lawyers, Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee, filed a lawsuit on her behalf in U.S. federal court against her local district attorney, Henry Wade, alleging that Texas's abortion laws were unconstitutional
1972
Discovered
Jane Network Is discovered In May of 1972 and seven members of Jane were behind bars: Martha Scott, Diane Stevens, Judy Arcana, Jeanne Galatzer-Levy, Abby Pariser, Sheila Smith and Madeleine Schwenk
Roe V. Wade
1973
Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States under the 14th Amendment, generally protected a right to have an abortion.
1979
Moral Majority
Moral Majority, American political organization that was founded in 1979 by Jerry Falwell, a religious leader and televangelist, to advance conservative social values and was key in aiding Republican candidacy races into the 1980s
1980
President Ronald Reagan
Reagan defeats Incumbent Jimmy Carter for the presidency- largely in part due to the Moral Majority. Promises were made to combat abortions to conservative church leaders in the South in exchange for their support in the election.
1988
Citizens United
Citizens United formed with a mission to restore the United States government to "citizens' control, seeking to "reassert the traditional American values of limited government, freedom of enterprise, strong families, and national sovereignty and security."
SCOTUS Appointments
1990-1991
Both Justices Samuel Alito (who later wrote the Dobbs opinion), and Clarence Thomas were nominated by President George H. Bush in 1990 and 1991. Notably, Thomas was accused of sexual harassment by Anita Hill. However, he was confirmed by the Senate regardless.
2010
Super PAC
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission- This 5-4 Supreme Court decision allowed unlimited funds to be poured into elections. Justice Alito and Justice Thomas were part of the majority.
The Rise of Super PACS
The most significant outcomes of Citizens United have been the creation of super PACs (Political Action Committee), which empower the wealthiest donors, and the expansion of dark money through shadowy nonprofits that don’t disclose their donors. This has allowed self-serving wealthy Individuals to buy candidates and Supreme Court Justices and use them as puppets to do their bidding.
2010 Cont.
Gerrymandering
Anti-abortion politicians win elections to Congress and State legislatures through gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics.
2011
TRAP Laws
36 states enact 92 new laws including TRAP laws (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers), restricting safe and legal abortions.
Punish Providers
2012
19 states enact 43 new anti-abortion restrictions designed to punish healthcare providers.
2013
Legislation
April: Republican members of Congress introduce a nationwide 20-week abortion ban bill.
July: Texas enacts a sweeping TRAP law bill, causing half of Texas's abortion providers to close over the next three years.
2014
Voter Suppression
Anti-abortion politicians win another wave of elections, facilitated by voter suppression measures (Shelby County Vs. Holder ruling).
2015
Propaganda
Extremists release deceptive videos attempting to demonize Planned Parenthood. The individuals behind these videos have ties to the group that influenced the 2009 assassination of Dr. George Tiller (an abortion provider).
Murder
2015 Cont.
Politicians launch a congressional investigation into Planned Parenthood. A Republican presidential primary candidate urges voters to watch the doctored footage, potentially leading to the murder of three people at Planned Parenthood in Colorado, as the shooter referenced the deceptive videos.
Shelby County v. Holder gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, to protect the voting rights of Black citizens. It required jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voter suppression to seek preclearance from the federal government before creating any new voting practices or procedures.
2016
Justice Scalia
March: Justice Scalia dies. President Obama nominates Judge Merrick Garland to succeed him, but Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to confirm and blocks Obama from filling the vacancy.
Oct/Nov: Trump promises to nominate judges to overturn Roe v. Wade during his campaign.
2016 Cont.
Trump
Trump defeats Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential Election, primarily due to seven million votes for third-party candidates and proven election interference by Russia.
2017
Justice Gorsuch
Trump nominates conservative Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, reinstates and expands the “Gag Rule”*, and anti-abortion legislative efforts soar
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2018
Justice Kavanaugh
Trump nominates and the Senate confirms anti-abortion Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court after Justice Anthony Kennedy retires. During the confirmation process, Kavanaugh was accused of sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford
2019
Lies
The Trump-Pence administration issues a Title X gag rule*, attempting to ban providers from telling patients how to safely access abortion care. Trump also spreads inflammatory lies, accusing pro-reproductive health politicians of supporting infanticide.
2020
Justice Ginsburg
September 18: Our long time women’s rights advocate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies.
Just 8 days later: Trump nominates far-right Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed her.
2020 Cont.
Justice Barrett
October 26: Despite the election being just one week away, the Senate confirms Barrett. She is a member of “The People of Praise” who’s central teachings include subservience to men.
Important Notes
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked Obama’s nomination in March 2016, claiming it was too close to the election.
*Global Gag Rule: harmful policy that prohibits non-U.S. organizations from receiving U.S. global health assistance if they provide, counsel, refer, or advocate for legal abortion services in their own country, even with their own money.
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*Title X Gag Rule: Domestic policy that makes it illegal for health care providers in the Title X program to refer patients for an abortion.
2021
Harmful Agendas
State lawmakers, emboldened by the new makeup of the Supreme Court and the 200+ federal judges appointed by the Trump administration, begin pushing harmful agendas against women's rights and freedoms.
2022
Dobbs v. Jackson
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization brought to Supreme Court. In Dobbs, the Supreme Court reviewed the constitutionality of Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act—a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities
2022 Cont.
Roe v. Wade Falls
In a landmark decision, while upholding the Mississippi law (Dobbs v. Jackson) the Supreme Court went further and reviewed Roe v. Wade, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Concluding that the Constitution does not protect the right to abortion. Returning the issue to the States to decide.
Chief Justice Roberts chided the majority for reaching out to broaden the scope of the decision, instead of allowing Roe and Casey to be reviewed separately, and at another time.
Trigger Laws
As soon as Roe was overturned, trigger laws (a law that is immediately enforceable after an event) in 13 states went into effect banning or restricting abortion access. Now, 26 states have total bans or severely restricted access.
2023
Rape
Reports show an estimated 65,000 pregnancies occurred from rape in states with abortion bans.
Thousands of stories emerge of women unable to receive care for emergencies, and left to nearly die or lose their fertility.
2023 Cont.
Maternity Care Deserts
Obstetricians start to leave states with abortion restrictions, in fear of prosecution for providing basic healthcare. Effectively, creating maternity care deserts and contributing to dangerous conditions for women.
2024
Continued Attacks
Republicans continue to attack women’s healthcare, including IVF and birth control. Bills to protect these basic rights have been blocked in Congress and the U.S. Senate.
Aftermath & Dangerous Conditions
An estimated 2.2 million U.S. women live in “OB-GYN deserts,” and 4.7 million more live in areas with limited access. For example, Missouri had more than a 25% drop in applicants for OB-GYN medical residencies since 2022.
The United States continues to have the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income nation, and the rate is by far the highest for black women. Most of these deaths - over 80 percent - are likely preventable. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has only contributed to the extreme danger pregnant women face.