In Chicago, Illinois, a group of trained laywomen created a union called The Abortion Counseling Service of the Chicago Womens Liberation Union. This group would provide safe, inexpensive, illegal abortions. More specifically, it was underground. The group formed in 969 and lasted roughly 4 years until the Roe v. Wade case resulted in the legalization of abortion. However, at this time, abortion had already been performed a significant amount and illegally, at that, since the 800s. This group performed more than ,000 abortions illegally. In picking up the tools of our own liberation, in our case medical instruments, we broke a powerful taboo. That act was terrifying, but it was also exhilarating. We ourselves felt exactly the same powerfulness that we wanted other women to feel. Many financially unstable women were faced with unskilled doctors with suspicious motives. On the other hand, some women were simply unable to find anyone who would perform the procedure. A significant amount of women attempted dangerous self-abortions involving knitting needles and c
oat hangers, douching, or swallowing chemicals or drugs. This group of women wanted to change the law and emphasize the importance of reproductive rights.
The development of abortion has had both positive and negative outlooks. Before the legalization of abortion, the government did not support this medical procedure which left many women feeling helpless and resentful. As time went on, many women became very desperate and began performing illegal abortions. However, it wasnt until 973 when the Roe v. Wade case resulted in the legalization of abortion, that the controversy really began to brew. Of course, womens groups were overjoyed with this news because they felt as though all of their hard work and struggle had finally paid off. But immediately, opposition surfaced. The Roman Catholic Church had always perceived abortion as a form of murder. Pro-life supporters believe that life begins right at conception and therefore, feel as though the unborn child deserves the same rights as the mother who is now given the choice of whether or not to have an abortion.