What to Know About the Roe v Wade Overturning

There’s a lot of information going around right now about the overturning of Roe v. Wade and how abortion laws are changing. We’ve put together a list of well rounded resources to give you the full picture from history of the ruling to where to donate. Check out all the resources below to learn about what’s going on and what you can do to help.

The History of Roe v Wade – What is the Ruling?

Who Was Norma McCorvey, the Woman Behind Roe v. Wade? – Smithsonian Magazine

This article gives a brief history of the ruling and also talks about who Jane Roe was. “Dubbed “Jane Roe,” McCorvey sought an abortion after becoming pregnant in 1969 but was thwarted by Texas’ restrictive reproductive laws.”

Roe v. Wade – Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a straight to the point description of the ruling from an academic neutral source. This provides history into the case and how it was decided on, as well as the obstacles.

The Overturn and What it Means.

Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade – CNN Politics

This covers the main events that have happened around the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as well as the public reaction. It aims to remain neutral and presents quotes from both sides of the overturning, and is mainly written by women.

A look at how Roe v. Wade overturn triggers abortion-related legal issues in U.S. – Global News

The article looks at how the overturning affects present-day America, and breaks it down into specific and easy to understand categories. It covers how the ruling was overturned, what it means for Americans and the rest of the world, and the other abortion laws that are being challenged or overturn across the US.

Federal level

Reactions to U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade abortion landmark – CTV News

“Public figures across the political spectrum reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Friday overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that recognized a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion and legalized it nationwide.”

Remarks by President Biden on the Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade – The White House

These are the statements made by President Joe Biden on the overturn on the Whitehouse’s official website. Biden says that the overturning is “a very solemn moment” and that “with Roe gone … the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk.”

Know Your Rights: Reproductive Health Care – ReproductiveRights.Gov

This is a website created by the federal government in order to discuss the status of reproductive rights in America. They note that “reproductive health care, including access to birth control and safe and legal abortion care, is an essential part of your health and well-being. While Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion remains legal in many states, and other reproductive health care services remain protected by law.” Their goal is to help everyone find safe access to abortion and abortion care.

State Level

An Overview of Abortion Laws – The Guttmacher Institute

This comprehensive article has a full chart of all of the states and details what is legal, what’s not, and all the different stipulations surrounding it like medical education background, gestational period, wait periods, funding, etc.

State Legislation Tracker: Major Developments in Sexual and Reproductive Health – The Guttmacher Institute

This is a tool set up by the Guttmacher Institute that tracks all the major changes being made state by state. It also covers changes in things like birth control laws, so it’s a good source to check back on.

State Bans on Abortion Throughout Pregnancy – The Guttmacher Institute

This tracks the specifics of the abortion ban for different stages of pregnancy, state by state. It’s a really great resource to see how the different stages of pregnancy or at-risk pregnancies are treated, and how abortions will be affected at each stage of pregnancy.

Tracking the States Where Abortion Is Now Banned – The New York Times

This tracker from The New York Times keeps track specifically on which states have banned abortion. While it doesn’t have a ton of information on what the ban means, it covers every state, shows which have an abortion ban or a potential abortion ban, and gives the latest majory court ruling decision.

What Happens When Abortion is Illegal?

What Life is Like When Abortion is Banned – Human Rights Watch

This article from 2019 details how life can change when abortion is illegal. The reporter in this article is interviewing women from Latin America, another place that has strict abortion laws, on how the lack of access to safe abortions has affected their lives. While not taking place in the US, this article shows the ramifications that are going to be facing the States in the upcoming future.

The Negative Health Implications of Restricting Abortion Access – Harvard School of Public Health

This is an interview with one of Harvard’s professors of the practice of public health, and coordinator of the Women and Health Initiative, Ana Langer. She answers several tough questions like “How do laws that restrict abortion access impact women’s health?” This is a great interview done by a very knowledgeable woman.

For doctors, abortion restrictions create an ‘impossible choice’ when providing care – NPR

“Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, medical ethics experts say many physicians will be caught in a bind: unable to fulfill their professional obligations to provide care to their pregnant patients because of state laws that forbid it.” This article goes into this tough question and how medical experts are handling the decision.

What happens when it is legal?

The Public Health Impact of Legal Abortion: 30 Years Later – The Guttmacher Institute

This study talks about how Roe v. Wade started and how it impacted the US while it was still in place. Using past evidence, they offer a prediction into how the overturn will affect America in the coming months and years.

What Can Economic Research Tell Us About the Effect of Abortion Access on Women’s Lives? – Brookings

This is specificaally looking at the financial and economic repercussions faced by abortion bans. The article states that “research demonstrates that abortion access does, in fact, profoundly affect women’s lives by determining whether, when, and under what circumstances they become mothers.”

Abortion isn’t just about Women’s Bodies – Instagram

This is an Instagram reel talking about how abortion banning is mainly used as a tool to control women, and that the majority of it stems from a need for money and control.

What is an Abortion and How Do They Work?

Abortion: What to Expect – National Abortion Federation

The National Abortion Federation provides an easy to read summary of the three different abortion procedures and what to expect.

Patient education: Abortion (pregnancy termination) (Beyond the Basics) – Up To Date

This is a detailed description of how abortion works, the different procedures, and the many decisions faced by people who choose to get abortions. It’s a great place to look if you really want to understand the different facets that go into the procedure, side effects, efficacy rates, aftercare, etc.

Key Facts on Abortion – Amnesty International

Amnesty notes the key facts that everyone should know about abortion, such as how making abortion illegal doesn’t mean that abortions will stop, it just means they get less safe. This webpage really goes into the larger-scale effects felt by abortion being banned and covers the major issues that occur due to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. It’s a great source if you’re looking for a condensed version of all the major problems that happen when abortion is banned, and what this means for the US.

Practicing Safe Sex and Contraception

Birth Control – Planned Parenthood

This guide from Planned Parenthood covers the many different forms of birth control, what the benefits and risks of each are, and provides a quiz to find the best fit for you. Planned Parenthood is a great source, and they provide great descriptions of how things actually work, while making it make sense to the average person.

Safer Sex – Planned Parenthood

This guide mostly covers preventing STD’s and STI’s, and how to practice safer sex. While not specifically focused on pregnancy, it’s another great thing to keep in mind as the laws for contraceptive and safe sex protection could be called into question at any time.

Emergency contraception – Office on Women’s Health

This gives details into all you need to know about emergency contraception, how it works, and provides a clinic tracker to find a safe clinic near you.

5 Nerdy Things You Should Know About Birth Control – Office on Women’s Health

This a look into some things that we should all know about birth control.

11 Ways to Safely Reduce Abortions Without Removing Access – GoodGoodGood

This details all the other options to reduce abortion without actually removing it as an option. Like the article above, it’s another great source for looking at all the other options besides banning abortion.

How to Find and Access Safe Abortions

How Do I Get an In-Clinic Abortion? – Planned Parenthood

Find A Provider – National Abortion Federation

How To Keep Yourself Protected in Post-Roe America – TikTok

Things to think about to protect yourself should you seek an out of state abortion.

The Pregnancy Panopticon: Abortion Surveilance After Roe – Surveilance Technology Oversight Project

This is the article discussed in the previous tiktok video link.

So What Does that Mean for us Canadians? Could We See Something Similar Happen Here?

History of Abortion in Canada

Abortion in Canada – The Canadian Encyclopedia

This gives a history of abortion in Canada, mentioning important court cases and rulings as well as changes in law.

How does this affect Canadians? Does it?

Yes, overturning Roe v. Wade affects Canadian women – National Post

This article discusses how the overturning will affect Canadians, primarily pregnant Canadians who will have to enter the US. This also covers the overwhelm that is likely to be felt by Canadian abortion clinics.

Abortion is Legal in Canada — But is it Accessible? Experts Weigh In – CTV News

This takes a look into the accessibility of abortions for Canadians. While we’re not facing the issue of an abortion ban right now, it’s definitely something that we could face in the future, so it’s good to keep up to date on our own laws.

Abortion Law: Global Comparisons – Council on Foreign Relations

This looks into other countries abortion laws and how they compare to the US.

Canadian Political Reaction

Trudeau calls U.S. Roe v. Wade reversal of abortion rights ‘horrific’ – National Post

This article gives a brief statement on how the major political parties in Canada are reacting to the Roe v. Wade overturn. Trudeau says that the overturn is “horrific,” and temporary Conservative leader Candice Bergen said that access to abortion “was not restricted under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the Conservative party will not introduce legislation or reopen the abortion debate.”

NDP’s Statement on Roe v. Wade – NDP Website

The NDP are the only major political party in Canada to release an official statement on their platform. This most recent release from the NDP is concerning the leaked statement from the Supreme court prior to the actual overturn of Roe v. Wade, and they note that the NDP “[stands] in solidarity with Americans fighting to protect their fundamental rights. Access to abortion is a human right.”

Jagmeet Singh Says Roe v. Wade Leak Is ‘Deeply Concerning’ & Legal Abortions Are ‘Threatened’ – Narcity

What Can Canadians Do to Help?

Where to Donate in the Fight For Abortion Rights – W Magazine

This is a comprehensive list of places to donate.

What Now? How to Get Involved After the Overturning of Roe v. Wade – Motherly

This website talks about other ways to help in the fight for abortion rights besides donating, and also gives a list of places to donate.

How to Donate to an Abortion Fund Now – Elle

This is a list of places to donate organized state by state.

Where to Donate

These are some of the main places we saw to donate.