Alongside critical Congressional primary elections, this week also marks the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision that saw Trump’s anointed Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade and strip all women of equal body autonomy. Nearly 50 years of precedent was struck down by convoluted logic and disingenuous “originalism” on the nation’s highest court.

Since that decision, states have enacted a patchwork of laws both restricting and protecting abortion as a fundamental part of women’s reproductive care. Health care providers, family members, and even women themselves who seek abortions have been harassed or forced travel hundreds of miles at considerable risk for care.

The total number of abortions has risen nationwide, but in states where abortion is severely restricted, infant mortality is also on the rise. Abortion opponents, not satisfied with letting states decide abortion policy, continue to seek a nationwide abortion ban, and restrictions on contraception and even on in vitro fertilization (IVF) reproductive assistance.

As usual, former PDA Executive Director and current Advisory Board Chair Donna Smith sums up the situation with candor and heartfelt indignation:

The mess created by Trump’s court stole my freedom to have autonomy over my own body. Women lost our freedom that day in the most fundamental way one’s freedom can be diminished—the freedom of self.

The freedom women had to exist as a whole being with whole rights and whole responsibilities was lost. Democracy was stripped from women in America that day. My gut hurt for a week. My soul is still injured but recovering as I throw myself into one more chance—this election cycle and progressive candidates and incumbents who are fighting for my freedom as a woman. Else, what could I do?

As a progressive organization firmly attached to women’s full rights and equal status as citizens, PDA and our sister organization, Progressives for Democracy in America, are committed to three main actions on this vital issue:

• Spreading accurate information about this egregious erosion of women’s rights and health care (apparently more than 1 in 6 Americans blame Pres. Biden rather than Trump for the loss of abortion care);

• Holding elected officials responsible and pushing for legislation to enshrine full reproductive care rights in law;
• Electing solid progressives who will propose, promote, and secure full reproductive rights in federal, state, and local law.

Be part of the solution. Join our weekly Campaign to Victory call, volunteer, and donate what you can to secure women’s rights in the U.S.

It’s up to you and me and all of us.

In solidarity with all of our sisters nationwide,

Donna Smith and Deb Schrishuhn for the PDA National Team