It's been 49 years since the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, and the fight for reproductive rights rages on. “Roe set the precedent that patients have the right to make decisions about their reproductive health,” said Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow at Hadassah’s program The Road Beyond Roe: Advocating for Reproductive Rights on January 18, 2022. “They have the choice of when or if to carry a pregnancy. And the freedom to decide – based on medical guidance and their own values – what is best for their health and the plan for their family. Trust that women are fully capable and the most important decision-makers over their health and their bodies.”
During the program feminist pioneer-activist-writer Letty Cottin Pogrebin, interviewed by writer and journalist Esther Kustanowitz, took the audience back to the days before Roe and that historic decision. Pogrebin spoke personally about why reproductive rights are so crucial and the motivations behind her activism. Dr. Chavi Eve Karkowsky, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, shared how her work depends on her ability to make sure her patient is the most important person.
Two Jewish congresswomen, Rep. Lois Frankel from Florida and Rep. Sara Jacobs from California, amplified the call to action by discussing their support for the Women’s Health Protection Act and urging the Senate to act. Hadassah’s Education and Advocacy Division Leaders, Coordinator Frieda Rosenberg and Vice-Coordinator Debbie Kessler, also spoke about how Hadassah members can get involved by writing to Congress via the National Action Center; organizing watch parties of this program; spreading the word on social media; joining the Hadassah amicus brief program for attorneys and judges, and more.
“We stand on the shoulders of all those who fought for women’s rights and women’s health,” said Smolow. “Now it’s our turn to stand up and stand strong for generations to come.”
Read More and Take Action
Watch the program recording.
Urge the Senate to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Dive deeper with Hadassah thought leadership: Protecting Women's Health — and Choices: A Call to Action
Read event press coverage in the Detroit Jewish News.
Donate to support this and other Hadassah initiatives.
Learn more about Hadassah's Amicus Brief Program.