Remember When: Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973, recognizing that the Constitution protects a person’s right to privacy — including the right to make decisions about pregnancy without government interference.

For nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade stood as a cornerstone of reproductive freedom, affirming that deeply personal medical decisions belong to individuals, not politicians. It did not mandate abortion, nor did it eliminate regulation. Instead, it established that the government could not impose an outright ban before fetal viability, balancing individual liberty with state interests.

Roe shaped generations of Americans’ understanding of bodily autonomy and constitutional privacy. It allowed people to plan their families, protect their health, and pursue education and economic opportunity with greater freedom and security.

When Roe was overturned in 2022, it marked the first time the Supreme Court stripped away a fundamental constitutional right that had been recognized for decades. The impact has been swift and far-reaching — with bans, restrictions, and criminal penalties reshaping healthcare access across the country.

Remembering Roe is not about the past alone.
It’s about understanding what was lost, why it mattered, and what is at stake when rights are no longer protected equally for everyone.

The loss of Roe v. Wade didn’t just change the law — it changed who gets to make decisions about health, family, and the future. Today, access to care depends on geography, income, and politics rather than medical need. That reality should concern anyone who believes freedom and equality are constitutional promises, not privileges.

Remembering Roe is a reminder that rights can be protected — and they can be taken away. The work of safeguarding bodily autonomy, privacy, and equal protection under the law now rests with all of us.

Use your voice. Stay informed. Vote with intention.
Because constitutional rights only endure when people demand them.