How We Got Here: The Fight for Reproductive Freedom

blog

Nov 5

Written By Comma

A Brief History of Reproductive Rights in America

For generations, women have fought for control over their bodies, their choices, and their privacy. From the right to vote to the right to make private medical decisions, progress has come in waves—each one hard-won and deeply significant.

Hereʼs how the fight for reproductive freedom has evolved, and where it stands today.

1873 – The Comstock Laws

In the late 19th century, the U.S. government passed the Comstock Laws, which made it illegal to send “obscene” materials through the mail, this included all contraceptives and information about birth control or abortion.

These laws criminalized reproductive education and censored anyone who dared to discuss family planning, cutting off access to vital knowledge for millions of women. The Comstock era reflected an early attempt to control womenʼs autonomy by limiting access not only to reproductive care, but also to information itself.

1920 – The Right to Vote

The ratification of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, a transformative victory that redefined citizenship and equality. Having a voice in politics meant women could finally begin influencing the laws that shaped their bodies and lives. Still, true equality—especially reproductive autonomy—remained far out of reach.

1960 – The Birth Control Pill

The FDAʼs approval of the first oral contraceptive marked a turning point in womenʼs health. For the first time, pregnancy could be reliably prevented with a small daily pill. But in many states, access to contraception was still restricted, particularly for unmarried women.

The pill sparked a social revolution, but the legal right to use it would come only after years of continued advocacy.

1965 – Griswold v. Connecticut

The Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut law that made it illegal for married couples to use or even discuss birth control. For the first time, the Court recognized a “right to privacy” in marital and family planning decisions. This case became a cornerstone for reproductive rights, establishing that decisions about sex, reproduction, and health belong to individuals—not the government.

1972 – Eisenstadt v. Baird

Building on Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court extended the right to contraception to unmarried individuals, affirming that reproductive freedom applies to everyone—not just married couples.

This ruling redefined family planning as a matter of individual choice, further separating personal autonomy from outdated moral and legal restrictions.

1974 – The Equal Credit Opportunity Act

Two years later, Congress passed the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, granting women the legal right to open a credit card, take out a loan, or apply for a mortgage without a husband or male co-signer.

By giving women control over their own finances, this law expanded what reproductive freedom truly means: the ability to make independent choices about oneʼs body, family, and future.

1973 – Roe v. Wade

In one of the most pivotal moments for womenʼs rights, the Supreme Court ruled that the constitutional right to privacy includes a womanʼs right to choose abortion.

For nearly 50 years, protected abortion access nationwide and affirmed that reproductive care is a private medical decision between a woman and her healthcare provider.

It was a landmark recognition that autonomy over oneʼs body is essential to equality and freedom.

1992 – Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Nearly two decades later, the Court revisited Roe v. Wade in Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

While the justices reaffirmed the core right to abortion, they allowed states to impose restrictions—such as waiting periods or parental consent laws—so long as they didnʼt place an “undue burden” on patients.

This ruling gave states new power to limit access, beginning a slow but steady erosion of reproductive rights that continues today.

2022 – Dobbs v. Jackson Womenʼs Health Organization

In one of the most consequential decisions in modern history, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending nearly five decades of federally protected abortion rights. The ruling returned authority to the states, resulting in a patchwork of laws across the country. Some states protect the right to choose; others have enacted near-total bans.

Today, reproductive freedom—and even access to basic reproductive healthcare—can vary dramatically depending on where you live.

The Current Landscape

Today, nineteen U.S. states ban abortion or have restrictions earlier in pregnancy than set by Roe v. Wade. Millions of women now face barriers not only to abortion, but also to basic reproductive healthcare, including contraception and miscarriage management.

At the same time, new challenges have emerged in the digital world. With reproductive care increasingly monitored and politicized, even personal health data (like period tracking or fertility logs) can be tracked, shared, or misused.

At Comma, we believe bodily autonomy and data privacy go hand in hand. Thatʼs why we built Sara™: a safe, private space to track your cycle, symptoms, and reproductive health, protected by encryption and grounded in trust.

Because protecting your reproductive freedom also means protecting your right to privacy.