Roe V. Wade, a term that often invokes an amygdala hijack. Upon hearing this term, each individual redirects their attention, no matter their political alignment. On both sides, “fight or flight” is the only option.
Women’s Reproductive Rights has been a consistently inconsistent fight since the 1800s, predating Roe V. Wade. In 1873, the Comstock Act was passed, which was the first ever federal ban on abortion. This criminalized the United States Postal Service for distributing abortion-related material. Not only was this an act of censorship, but it was also the first documented attack on women’s reproductive health, a fight that would only increase over the years.
As a result, 24 states passed legislation restricting access to contraception, and Connecticut had made it illegal to use birth control, a law that the Supreme Court supported until 1965 in Griswold V. Connecticut, which set the precedent for Roe V. Wade in 1973.
Social Studies Department Chair Peter Palen explains that even since the 1960s, at the advent of “the pill,” the issue of women’s reproductive health has been a culture war in the United States.
“It’s a constant ‘political football,’” Palen said. “It’s an issue that people feel really strongly about on both sides. If there’s something that you can do to garner support, whether you’re for women’s reproductive rights and the access to abortion (or contrary), then I think that it’s going to motivate a base. It’s a health issue that has unfortunately become political.”
After the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022 in the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, many states have sprung to action, passing state legislation that protects women’s reproductive health and right to choose. Michigan is a key player in women’s defense. On Jan. 21, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed 16 new bills that expand reproductive rights in Michigan.
“These bills will save women time and money so they can access the birth control they need and cut unnecessary red tape that stands between people and their health care,” Whitmer said to media sources. “Whether you’re getting ready to start a family or figuring out which contraceptive option is best for you, I’ll fight to make sure you have the freedom to make that choice. Together, let’s keep fighting like hell to protect reproductive rights.”
These bills are important because Michigan is primarily rural, making up 95% of the state’s geography according to the State of Michigan.Gov. Counties in these areas don’t have easy access to an Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB/GYN) and doctors to prescribe birth control. Being required to travel far distances to doctor’s appointments created medically unnecessary barriers, and Governor Whitmer is helping to level the playing field.
Another important aspect of supporting women’s right to choose is civil rights organizations that promote public action. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) is an advocacy organization that works with state legislators to protect all people’s civil liberties from the government.
The ACLU played a significant role in passing Proposal Three in 2022, which was a citizen-initiated amendment to the Michigan constitution, solidifying women’s reproductive rights, including access to abortion, in the state of Michigan. In addition, they contributed to the recent 16-package bills signed by Whitmer, all contributing to one collective goal. Merissa Kovach is a political director for the ACLU and has been working on reproductive rights for over 15 years.
“Reproductive rights are fundamental rights, now explicit in our Michigan Constitution, that the right to reproductive freedom is fundamental,” Kovach said. “That means that every single person, no matter who you are, what stage of life you are in, you should have full bodily autonomy in determining your reproductive health care. When, if or how to have a family should be your freedom to make those decisions by yourself, with whoever you choose to involve, without government interference.”
Throughout all of the developments and controversies, many individuals might ask themselves the question “why is a woman’s bodily autonomy a political matter?” Isabella Rondini ’25 strongly believes that decisions regarding women’s rights should be handled by mostly, if not fully, female boards.
“Women’s reproductive rights are a matter of privacy and only concern themselves, their doctors and whomever else the individuals choose to include,” Rondini said. “Trying to control reproductive rights is just trying to control women.”
At its root, placing restrictions on women’s reproductive health is an insecurity and overall breach of the 14th amendment, which prohibits the infringement of “life, liberty and property.” Instead of focusing on protecting these constitutional amendments, the government has their sights set on their consistent number one priority—money.
“The federal government has a vested interest in keeping the birth rate higher because of the country’s future tax base and to curb the aging population that the United States has,” Palen said. “So the government’s vested interest in future taxpayers and interest in the next people who are going to serve in America’s military can make it political.”
As students, it is our job to stay educated on matters regarding our rights and the rights of our peers. Whether that be following credible social media platforms or volunteering with civil rights organizations, we must do our part to promote the agency of women across the country.
“(Public support) is probably the most important thing,” Kovach said. “In a way, very silently, we saw all of our rights taken away when Roe V. Wade was overturned in 2022, and I think that’s because we took our rights for granted. But, what we saw in the aftermath was people really woke up in Michigan. That meant that they showed up, in record numbers, to pass this constitutional amendment (Proposal 3), and they ushered in a new legislature. The most important thing is the engagement of the people power, and we know firsthand in Michigan how impactful people power can be, especially in the realm of reproductive rights. When folks are moved to action, it has a huge impact.”
