Women's Rights In The Early 1970s

It was the early 1970s; America was still two years away from ending the Vietnam War. At this time we see the continuing fight for Native Americans, African Americans, women, gays, and other minorities for equality in America. There is also a large antiwar movement, centered on the United States in both Indochina and Cambodia. In 1970, the United States invaded Cambodia and as a direct result, hundreds of thousands of protestors went to the streets, effectively shutting down most college campuses and other public spaces. Congress had just submitted the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to be added to the Constitution in the fight for women’s rights (U.S. History). In the early 60s and through the 70s there is a noticeable rise in feminist consciousness-awareness

Unfortunately for Ms. Roe, at this time it was illegal under Texas law for an abortion to be performed except in the direst of circumstances (Mt. Holyoke). Unable to receive an abortion, Ms. Roe challenged the law in District Court. Here, a three-judge panel ruled unanimously in favor of Ms. Roe, claiming that the law was unconstitutional, and stated that Ms. Roe had the right to terminate her pregnancy (Justia). The serving district attorney in the case, Henry Wade, largely disagreed with the court, and proceeded to file an appeal. The case reached the Supreme Court later that

Roe v Wade set up the right to a safe and legal abortion in the United States. While Roe v Wade received great support, it also received great lash backs within the community. Anti-abortion groups such as National Right to Life and the Pro Life Action League have worked in many different ways to reverse the precedent established by Roe v Wade. Today, abortions have become on of the safest medical procedures performed in the United States with a safety record of 99% (Planned Parenthood). Abortion clinics can be found all over the country, and with over 650,000 performed annually (HHS). While abortion clinics are recognized as safe spaces for women seeking to terminate their pregnancies, they are also battlegrounds where the abortion controversy is fought. Often times abortion clinics will have ‘pro-life’ supporters and anti-abortion groups protesting outside the building - harassing and screaming at women and physicians entering and exiting the facility. Protests against abortion clinics take form every year as violent hate crimes such as the mass shootings of abortion clinics, brutal murders of both women seeking abortions and physicians performing them, and the bombings of large clinics (Stack). Abortion remains at the center of nationwide controversy, with politicians using their stance on abortion as a critical part of their