Interactive Key Reproductive Justice Events Timeline
Reproductive injustices are woven into the very fabric that is the United States of America. Click on any event to learn more. Share in your community.
© 2025 The Wellness You Desire® All Rights Reserved.
The materials, concepts, and intellectual property are owned exclusively by The Wellness You Desire® and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without prior written consent.
Community Care
1600s–1950s
Granny Midwives
African American birth workers preserved ancestral knowledge and community-centered care before state regulation marginalized traditional midwifery.
African American "granny midwives" served as the backbone of maternal care in Black communities for centuries, combining ancestral knowledge, spiritual practices, and holistic community-centered care. These skilled practitioners attended births, provided prenatal and postpartum care, and served as healers and counselors. Their work was rooted in African traditions and adapted to American conditions, often serving communities where formal medical care was unavailable or unwelcoming. State regulation and medical professionalization gradually marginalized traditional midwifery, but their legacy continues to shape modern Black maternal health movements and advocacy for culturally responsive care.
Medical Violence
1840s
Marion J. Sims Experiments
The "Father of Gynecology" conducted surgical experiments on enslaved Black women without anesthesia or consent.
Dr. Marion J. Sims performed experimental gynecological surgeries on enslaved Black women, including Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, without anesthesia or consent. Operating under the racist belief that Black women felt less pain than white women, Sims conducted dozens of procedures to develop techniques for treating vesicovaginal fistulas. While his work advanced the field of gynecology, it came at the expense of Black women's autonomy, dignity, and physical wellbeing. This history exemplifies the medical exploitation of Black bodies and continues to influence Black women's mistrust of medical institutions today.
Eugenics
1916–1940s
Planned Parenthood & Eugenics
Founded by Margaret Sanger, the organization's early advocacy intersected with the eugenics movement targeting marginalized communities.
Margaret Sanger founded the organization that became Planned Parenthood with the goal of providing birth control access, but her early advocacy intersected with the eugenics movement. Sanger promoted birth control partly to limit reproduction among those she deemed "unfit," including people with disabilities and certain racial and ethnic groups. While Sanger's motivations were complex and she also advocated for women's autonomy, the eugenics connections caused lasting harm to marginalized communities. Planned Parenthood has since publicly denounced these historical roots and reaffirmed its commitment to reproductive rights and equity for all people.
Forced Sterilization
1920s–1970s
Mississippi Appendectomies
Coerced sterilizations of Black women in the South, often disguised as necessary medical procedures.
"Mississippi Appendectomy" was the term used to describe the widespread practice of coerced sterilization of Black women in the American South. These procedures were often performed without informed consent, sometimes disguised as necessary medical treatments like appendectomies. Civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who was herself sterilized without consent in 1961, brought national attention to this practice. She estimated that 60% of Black women in Sunflower County, Mississippi had been sterilized. This systematic reproductive violence was part of broader efforts to control Black population growth and represented a severe violation of reproductive autonomy.
Medical Racism
1932–1972
Tuskegee Syphilis Study
U.S. Public Health Service withheld syphilis treatment from Black men to study disease progression without consent.
The U.S. Public Health Service conducted an unethical study on untreated syphilis in rural Black men in Alabama, telling participants they were receiving free healthcare for "bad blood." Even after penicillin was discovered as an effective treatment in the 1940s, researchers withheld treatment to observe disease progression. The study continued for 40 years until a whistleblower exposed it in 1972. This medical betrayal resulted in preventable deaths, disabilities, and infections of spouses and children. The study became a watershed moment in medical ethics, leading to informed consent requirements and institutional review boards, while deepening mistrust of medical institutions in Black communities.
Colonial Medicine
1950s
Puerto Rican Birth Control Experiments
Large-scale trials for birth control pills conducted on Puerto Rican women without informed consent.
Researchers conducted large-scale clinical trials of birth control pills on Puerto Rican women without informed consent or disclosure that the drugs were experimental. The trials, led by Gregory Pincus and John Rock, took advantage of Puerto Rico's colonial status and poverty. Women were not told they were participating in an experiment or informed about potential side effects. Many experienced severe reactions, and some deaths may have been related to the high-dose hormones used. These trials were essential to developing the birth control pill, but they exemplified the exploitation of marginalized women in medical research and colonial attitudes toward Puerto Rican autonomy.
Medical Exploitation
1951
Henrietta Lacks
Her cervical cells taken without consent became foundational to medical research, while her family received no recognition or compensation.
Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman receiving treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital, had her cells taken without her knowledge or consent. These cells became the first immortal human cell line (HeLa), revolutionizing medical research and contributing to countless medical breakthroughs including vaccines, cancer treatments, and in vitro fertilization. While her cells generated billions in profits for the medical industry, her family remained unaware of their contribution for decades and received no compensation. Her story, popularized by Rebecca Skloot's book, has reshaped conversations about bioethics, informed consent, and the exploitation of Black bodies in medical research.
Legal Victory
1965
Griswold v. Connecticut
Supreme Court establishes right to privacy in marriage, legalizing contraception for married couples.
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Connecticut's law banning contraceptives violated the "right to marital privacy." Justice William O. Douglas wrote that the Constitution created "zones of privacy" formed by several amendments. This landmark decision established the legal foundation for reproductive privacy rights and would later be cited in Roe v. Wade. The case began when Planned Parenthood opened a clinic in New Haven, leading to the arrest of its director Estelle Griswold and Dr. Lee Buxton for providing contraceptives to married couples.
Indigenous Rights
1970s
Native American Sterilization
Indian Health Service sterilized thousands of Native American women without proper consent, deepening healthcare mistrust.
A Government Accountability Office investigation revealed that the Indian Health Service sterilized approximately 3,400 Native American women between 1973-1976 without proper consent procedures. Many women were coerced during childbirth or other medical procedures, with some told they would lose welfare benefits if they didn't consent. This systematic reproductive violence was part of broader genocidal policies aimed at reducing Indigenous populations. The sterilizations violated federal regulations and international human rights standards, contributing to lasting mistrust between Indigenous communities and healthcare systems. This history continues to impact Native American women's reproductive healthcare access and decision-making today.
Legal Victory
1972
Eisenstadt v. Baird
Supreme Court extends contraception rights to unmarried individuals.
The Supreme Court struck down a Massachusetts law that prohibited the distribution of contraceptives to unmarried people. Justice William Brennan wrote that "the right of the individual, married or single, to be free from unwarranted governmental intrusion into matters so fundamentally affecting a person as the decision whether to bear or beget a child." This decision extended privacy rights beyond marriage and established that individuals have the right to make reproductive choices regardless of marital status, further paving the way for Roe v. Wade.
Legal Victory
1973
Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court establishes constitutional right to abortion, legalizing it nationwide.
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution protects a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion. The Court established a trimester framework: states cannot regulate abortion in the first trimester, may regulate to protect maternal health in the second, and may prohibit abortion in the third trimester except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother. Justice Harry Blackmun wrote the majority opinion, grounding the decision in the right to privacy established in earlier cases. This landmark ruling legalized abortion nationwide and remains one of the most significant and controversial Supreme Court decisions.
Restriction
1976
Hyde Amendment
Congress bans federal funding for most abortions, disproportionately affecting low-income women.
Named after Republican Congressman Henry Hyde, this amendment prohibited federal Medicaid funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is in danger. The amendment has been renewed annually since 1976, creating a significant barrier to abortion access for low-income women who rely on Medicaid for healthcare. Critics argue it creates a two-tiered system where wealthy women can access abortion while poor women cannot. The Hyde Amendment has been challenged numerous times but remains in effect, highlighting the intersection of reproductive rights with economic justice.
Healthcare Reform
1980s–Present
Cesarean Section Rate Increases
C-section rates rose from 6% to over 32% nationally, raising concerns about overmedicalization and birthing autonomy.
Cesarean section rates in the U.S. have increased dramatically from around 6% in the 1970s to more than 32% today, far exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended rate of 10-15%. This increase has sparked debates about overmedicalization of birth, limited birthing autonomy, and significant racial disparities in maternal outcomes. Black women are more likely to have C-sections and experience complications. Advocates cite factors including defensive medicine, convenience scheduling, and lack of support for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). The trend has led to calls for more midwifery care, birth centers, and patient-centered approaches that respect women's birthing choices and cultural preferences.
Movement Building
1994
Reproductive Justice Framework
Women of color activists coin "reproductive justice," expanding beyond choice to include broader human rights.
At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, a group of Black women activists led by Loretta Ross developed the reproductive justice framework. This approach goes beyond the "pro-choice" framework to address the intersection of reproductive rights with issues of race, class, and social justice. Reproductive justice encompasses three core principles: the right not to have children, the right to have children, and the right to parent children in safe and healthy environments. This framework recognizes that marginalized communities face unique barriers to reproductive autonomy and emphasizes the need for comprehensive social support systems.
Prison Abuse
1997–2013
California Prison Sterilizations
Nearly 150 incarcerated women were illegally sterilized without proper consent or state approval.
Investigative reporting revealed that nearly 150 incarcerated women in California were sterilized between 1997-2013 without proper consent or required state approval. The procedures were performed by Dr. James Heinrich, who targeted women he deemed likely to return to prison. Many women were coerced during childbirth or told the procedures were reversible. The sterilizations disproportionately affected women of color and violated both state regulations and constitutional rights. The scandal led to legislative reforms, including a ban on sterilizations in California prisons and requirements for enhanced informed consent. This case highlighted ongoing reproductive coercion within the criminal justice system and the vulnerability of incarcerated individuals.
Policy Expansion
2010
Affordable Care Act
ACA mandates contraceptive coverage, expanding access to birth control for millions of women.
The Affordable Care Act included a provision requiring most health insurance plans to cover contraceptives without co-pays or deductibles. This mandate was based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and was designed to remove financial barriers to birth control. The policy faced significant legal challenges, particularly from religious organizations claiming it violated their religious freedom. Despite ongoing legal battles and exemptions, the contraceptive mandate has provided millions of women with improved access to birth control, contributing to declining unintended pregnancy rates and allowing women greater control over their reproductive lives.
Restriction
2010-2019
TRAP Laws Proliferate
States pass hundreds of Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers laws, restricting clinic operations.
Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws impose medically unnecessary requirements on abortion clinics and providers. These include mandatory waiting periods, parental consent requirements, admitting privileges requirements, and building specifications that mirror those of ambulatory surgical centers. Between 2010-2019, states enacted over 400 abortion restrictions. Supporters claim these laws protect women's health, while opponents argue they are designed to make abortion inaccessible by forcing clinics to close. Many TRAP laws have been challenged in court, with mixed results, leading to a patchwork of abortion access across different states.
Legal Victory
2016
Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt
Supreme Court strikes down Texas TRAP laws, establishing "undue burden" standard.
The Supreme Court ruled 5-3 that Texas regulations requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and clinics to meet ambulatory surgical center standards placed an "undue burden" on women seeking abortions. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote that courts must weigh the benefits of abortion regulations against the burdens they impose. The decision established that laws restricting abortion must provide medical benefits that justify the burdens they create. This ruling struck down similar laws in other states and provided a framework for challenging future TRAP laws, though it did not end efforts to restrict abortion access.
Movement Response
2017
Women's March
Millions march worldwide for women's rights, including reproductive justice and healthcare access.
The Women's March on January 21, 2017, became one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history, with millions participating worldwide. Reproductive rights were central to the march's platform, alongside issues of racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic equality. The march energized grassroots activism and led to increased political engagement, including record numbers of women running for office. The event highlighted the intersectional nature of reproductive justice and demonstrated the broad coalition supporting reproductive rights. The march sparked ongoing activism and advocacy efforts, contributing to increased awareness and political mobilization around reproductive justice issues.
Legislative Action
2021
MOMNIBUS Act
Federal legislative package introduced to address racial inequities in maternal health outcomes and expand community-based care.
The MOMNIBUS Act, introduced by the Black Maternal Health Caucus led by Representatives Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams, represents comprehensive federal legislation to address the maternal health crisis. The package includes 12 bills targeting racial inequities in maternal health outcomes, expanding research, improving data collection, and supporting community-based care. Key provisions include funding for community health workers, doula services, implicit bias training for healthcare providers, and maternal mental health support. The legislation recognizes that Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and aims to address both clinical and social determinants of maternal health through a reproductive justice lens.
Major Setback
2022
Dobbs v. Jackson
Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating federal constitutional right to abortion.
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, holding that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives. The decision immediately triggered varying state laws, with some states banning abortion entirely while others strengthened protections. The ruling has created a complex patchwork of abortion laws across the country, with access now largely determined by geography and economic resources. The decision has intensified political and legal battles over reproductive rights at state and federal levels.
Ongoing Movement
2022-Present
Post-Dobbs Organizing
Activists mobilize to protect and expand reproductive rights through state-level advocacy and mutual aid.
Following the Dobbs decision, reproductive justice advocates have intensified efforts at state and local levels. This includes ballot initiatives to protect abortion rights, legislative advocacy, legal challenges to restrictive laws, and mutual aid networks to help people access care. Organizations are working to expand access in protective states while supporting those in restrictive states. The movement has emphasized the intersectional nature of reproductive justice, connecting it to issues of economic justice, racial equity, and healthcare access. Activists are also focusing on long-term strategies including voter education, candidate recruitment, and building sustainable support systems for reproductive autonomy.
Current Crisis
2025
Adriana Smith Case (Georgia)
A brain-dead pregnant Black woman kept on life support due to Georgia's abortion restrictions, reigniting debates on bodily autonomy.
The case of Adriana Smith, a brain-dead pregnant Black woman kept on life support due to Georgia's restrictive abortion laws, has reignited national debates about bodily autonomy, reproductive ethics, and racial disparities in maternal health law enforcement. The case highlights how abortion restrictions can override individual and family wishes about end-of-life care, forcing families into impossible situations. It also demonstrates how these laws disproportionately impact Black women and families, who already face significant disparities in maternal and reproductive healthcare. The case has become a rallying point for reproductive justice advocates who argue that such laws prioritize fetal life over the dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing of pregnant people and their families.
Political Threat
2025
Project 2025
Political agenda proposing government restructuring that critics warn could roll back reproductive and civil rights protections.
Project 2025, a comprehensive political agenda led by the Heritage Foundation, proposes extensive government restructuring that critics warn could significantly roll back reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and civil rights if implemented under future conservative administrations. The project includes plans to restrict access to contraception, eliminate federal support for reproductive healthcare, and implement policies that would disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Reproductive justice advocates view Project 2025 as a direct threat to decades of progress in reproductive rights and are organizing to educate communities about its potential impacts while building coalitions to defend reproductive autonomy and bodily self-determination.
Call to Action
Present Day–Future
What's Next?
Each of us has a responsibility to be an advocate, ally, or architect of change in the fight for reproductive justice.
The future of reproductive justice depends on sustained commitment from individuals and communities to dismantle systemic inequities, defend bodily autonomy, and uplift those most affected by reproductive oppression. This includes supporting organizations led by people of color, advocating for comprehensive sex education, pushing for healthcare reform that addresses racial disparities, and voting for candidates who support reproductive justice. It also means understanding that reproductive justice is connected to economic justice, racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant rights. Everyone has a role to play - whether as an advocate raising awareness, an ally supporting marginalized communities, or an architect of change working to build more just systems and policies.
Legal Victory
Movement Building
Policy Change
Restriction/Setback