Black Women’s Voices Reclaim Abortion History

The narrative of abortion rights in America often revolves around figures like Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood. However, a new book aims to shift focus to the crucial role Black women have played in the reproductive justice movement.

Authors Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone explore this overlooked history in “Liberating Abortion: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve.”

The book highlights unsung heroes like Mildred Campbell, a Black midwife providing abortions in the late 1800s, and Jane Collective members Marie Leaner and Sakinah Ahad Shannon, who offered safe abortions before federal protections existed. It also honors Toni Bond, a founding mother of the reproductive justice framework in the 1990s.

Bracey Sherman, a career-long reproductive justice advocate, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Black women’s contributions. “To tell the story of abortion, you have to tell the story of Black women in America, anything less than that is incomplete,” she said.

Mahone notes that media has historically perpetuated racist and sexist tropes about women of color, further marginalizing their experiences.

The authors address the current landscape of reproductive rights, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. They cite alarming statistics from Pregnancy Justice, which documented over 210 pregnancy-related prosecutions in just one year.

This criminalization disproportionately affects women of color, who often face barriers to accessing safe reproductive health care.

Bracey Sherman and Mahone share personal abortion experiences in the book, emphasizing the need for open conversations about reproductive choices. Bracey Sherman recounts discovering her mother had also had an abortion, highlighting the stigma surrounding these discussions.

“It’s really upsetting to realize that this stigma was thriving in my family,” Bracey Sherman said. “I thought I grew up in a pro-choice family that was supportive of abortion until I needed one and didn’t feel like I had anyone to go to.”

The authors argue that community plays a vital role in dismantling abortion stigma. They assert that historical criminalization of abortion was not merely about controlling reproductive choices but also about maintaining power over marginalized populations.

As they navigate the complexities of the current political climate, Bracey Sherman and Mahone emphasize the need for collective action. “It does take all of us — not one candidate, not one elected official — to change how we see abortion,” Mahone states.

This call to action resonates deeply, especially as reproductive rights continue to be a contentious issue in upcoming elections.

The book delves into the intersectionality of reproductive justice, exploring how race, class, and gender impact access to health care and bodily autonomy. It highlights organizations led by women of color that have been at the forefront of the fight for reproductive rights, often operating with limited resources and recognition.

One such organization is SisterSong, founded in 1997 by a coalition of women of color. SisterSong has been instrumental in advancing the reproductive justice framework, which goes beyond the pro-choice vs. pro-life binary to address broader issues of social justice and human rights.

The authors also discuss the impact of recent legislative changes on communities of color. They point out that states with the most restrictive abortion laws often have the worst maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women.

“These laws don’t just limit access to abortion,” Bracey Sherman explained. “They create an environment of fear and criminalization that affects all aspects of reproductive health care.”

The book challenges readers to rethink their understanding of abortion history and its place in the broader struggle for civil rights. It argues that reproductive justice is inextricably linked to other social justice movements, including the fight against racial discrimination and economic inequality.

Mahone and Bracey Sherman stress the importance of intergenerational dialogue in the reproductive justice movement. They highlight the work of young activists who are carrying forward the legacy of their predecessors while adapting to new challenges in the digital age.

“We’re seeing a new generation of activists who are unapologetic about their support for abortion rights,” Mahone said. “They’re using social media and other platforms to share their stories and build community in ways that weren’t possible before.”

As the debate over reproductive rights continues to evolve, “Liberating Abortion” serves as both a historical record and a call to action. By centering the voices of Black women and other marginalized groups, the book offers a more complete and nuanced understanding of the ongoing struggle for reproductive justice in America.

For more insights and to explore the stories that have shaped the reproductive rights movement, readers can find “Liberating Abortion” at major bookstores and online retailers.