On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Roe v. Wade, a challenge to a Texas statute that made it a crime to perform an abortion unless a woman's life was at stake. The case had been filed by "Jane Roe," an unmarried woman who wanted to safely and legally end her pregnancy. Siding with Roe, the court struck down the Texas law. In its ruling, the court recognized for the first time that the constitutional right to privacy "is broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy" (Roe v. Wade, 1973).

Roe has come to be known as the case that legalized abortion nationwide. At the time the decision was handed down, nearly all states outlawed abortion except to save a woman's life or for limited reasons such as preserving the woman's health or in instances of rape, incest, or fetal anomaly. Roe rendered these laws unconstitutional, making abortion services safer and more accessible to women throughout the country. But since Roe, Americans have seen the passage of state laws that restrict access to abortion and the willingness of courts to uphold these restrictions.

Today, Roe v. Wade is in danger. President Bush, the U.S. Congress, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and the majority of the Texas Legislature are all anti-choice and willing to restrict a woman’s access to safe and legal abortions. Whether it’s by passing legislation that places an undue burden on a woman seeking an abortion or sending anti-choice judges (who are willing to decide for you when or whether you become a parent) to the federal courts, anti-choice legislators are working to take your rights away.

Click here to read a complete report of the Supreme Court ruling.

Learn more about the challenges to Roe v. Wade here.

Contact Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn and tell them you support Roe v. Wade. Let them know that you don’t want the government making your health care decisions for you.