step one
Learn.
step TWO
Spread the word.
step THREE
Join the movement.
The dawn of abortion care dates back to the dawn of sex.
translation: since the dawn of time.
Below, explore a brief history of abortion access in the U.S., and DC’s role in the movement. Let us be clear: As long as DC remains a district—not a state—abortion access remains threatened. Why? Congress does not respect DC home rule, and can make any law they want.
Year Zero through the 1800s
National movement
DC movement
year zero
Year zero starts with zero stigma surrounding abortion. Abortion exists as early as sex exists (translation: since the dawn of time).
Year Zero
Indigenous people regularly have abortions. Abortion isn’t regulated by any institution until it is medicalized and the Catholic church gets involved, long after white settlers arrive.
1700s–EARLY 1800s
Abortion is legal in all U.S. states. Reports state that 1 in 5 pregnancies end in abortion.
1790
Washington, DC is founded.
1821
Connecticut is the first state to outlaw abortion.
1847
White, male doctors, threatened by talented midwives like Madam Restell, form the American Medical Association (AMA), making it their mission to outlaw abortion.
1869
The Catholic Church condemns abortion (18 centuries after its founding) due to declining birth rates amongst white people.
1873
The Comstock Act, the result of one man's anti-sex legislative crusade, makes it illegal to distribute birth control and information regarding abortion or contraceptives.
1900 through the 1980s
1910
Abortion is illegal in every state.
1965
The Jane Collective, an underground network in Chicago, is founded to aid, abet, and even provide abortion care to women in need.
1966
In United States v. Vuitch involving a DC woman, SCOTUS affirmed a DC law stating that abortion could be legal for physical and mental health reasons.
1973
SCOTUS makes abortion legal in all 50 states through Roe v. Wade, although its passing never guaranteed abortion access.
1976
Congress passes the Hyde Amendment, preventing the use of federal dollars (like Medicaid) from being used for abortion care.
1977
The Combahee River Collective, a group of Black feminists, writes a statement exposing the reality of Black lesbians’ experiences living in systems created by white, cis men.
1984
Anti-abortion terrorists cause an explosion at the National Abortion Federation headquarters, adding to other anti-abortion attacks throughout the DC region.
1989
SCOTUS upholds Missouri law in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, allowing states to restrict abortion.
1990 to present1994
Reproductive justice is born! The Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice coin the term, referring to the human right to decide if, when, and how to have children, and parent the children you have in safe and sustainable communities.
1995
A DC local raises funds for a rape survivor who couldn’t afford abortion care, and the DC Abortion Fund (DCAF) is founded.
1995
Congress passes the Dornan Amendment, preventing DC from using its own Medicaid dollars to fund abortions.
2000
The FDA approves the “abortion pill,” or mifepristone and misoprostol.
2017
The DC Council passes a law making it illegal to discriminate against doctors who perform or support abortions.
2022
SCOTUS reverses Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, revoking the constitutional right to abortion and triggering abortion bans throughout the country.
2022
The DC Council passes the Human Rights Sanctuary Amendment Act, decriminalizing self-managed abortions and protecting people who get abortions in DC.
Getting the facts straight: Roe never guaranteed abortion access.
Just because abortion is legal or decriminalized does not mean care is accessible to all those who need it. Before and after the overturn of Roe, the anti-abortion movement sought to make abortion care inaccessible through:
STATE RESTRICTIONS
In Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, SCOTUS upheld a Missouri law that legalized state restrictions on abortion access. From 1973–2017, 1,193 state restrictions were passed.
SYSTEMIC RACISM
Anti-abortion sentiment began in the Western world in the 1800s with declining birth rates among white women and racist, anti-abortion groups worrying about being out-populated.
GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS
From 1995 to 2014, the number of abortion clinics in the U.S. dwindled from 452 to 272. In 2019, six states had just one clinic. Just 100-days post Dobbs, 66 clinics stopped offering abortion care.
SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS
High costs (with procedures ranging from $500–$25k) and the Hyde Amendment (preventing federal dollars including TRICARE, RPCV, CHIP, IHS, and Medicaid from being used for abortion care), limits access for low-income people.
THREATS AND VIOLENCE
From 1977 to 1988, there was an epidemic of anti-abortion violence in the U.S., with 110 cases of arson, firebombings, and bombings. In 2022, the National Abortion Federation showed a rise in major incidents like arson, burglaries, death threats, and invasions with burglary (231%), stalking (229%), and arson (100%) seeing some of the largest increases.
Want to dive deeper into the movement?
Check out these free resources:
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REWIRE NEWS GROUP
Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization dedicated to reporting on reproductive and sexual health, rights, and justice. They offer timely coverage on policy making and help fight misinformation surrounding reproductive health.
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ABORTION ON OUR OWN TERMS
Abortion On Our Terms is a national campaign and coalition who keep readers up-to-date on the safe, effective medications for self-managed abortions and barriers to self-managed abortions.
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THE A FILES: A SECRET HISTORY OF ABORTION
Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone—reproductive justice experts and friends—unpack the hidden history of abortion, from ancient Greek methods to the anti-Black roots of abortion bans in the U.S.
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GASLIT FROM LILITH FUND
The Lilith Fund, an abortion fund in Texas, offers hour-long episodes updating listeners on abortion and reproductive justice.
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BOOM! LAWYERED FROM REWIRE
This podcast features two expert legal minds, Imani Gandy and Jessica Mason Pieklo, who take listeners on a wild ride through the latest battles in the fight for reproductive justice.
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DESTIGMATIZING ABORTION FROM NWLC
The Destigmatizing Abortion series from the National Women's Law Center breaks down some of the mistakes a lot of us can make in our advocacy journey, and provides effective alternatives for pro-abortion activists.
Expanding access in Washington, DC: Resources for our community.
In a city made of predominantly Black and Brown people, with high poverty rates and a high cost of living, and where home rule is threatened, we are proud to have a community that always bands together.
In a city where we’re loud and proud about bodily autonomy, we can help destigmatize abortion.
Why someone gets an abortion is no one’s business but their own. That said, sharing personal stories can help destigmatize abortion care. If you’ve had an abortion, consider sharing your story.