The Future of Abortion Rights in California: A Gathering of Voices

On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision on abortion rights (in Dobbs v. Mississippi) that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that has provided federal protections and defined a woman’s right to abortion since 1973.

After decades of whittling away at Roe's protections, a majority of the court's justices have upended it, letting individual states decide their own approaches to reproductive rights. With this decision, some 22 states are expected to quickly make abortion all but illegal, while California will likely remain one of the few where full abortion rights are guaranteed. Women in other states across the country might lose access to reproductive care overnight or find services even more severely restricted.

In California, women’s healthcare providers and women’s rights organizations are gearing up for a massive influx of people seeking care and assistance, while some are already exploring how the state can become a sanctuary for women in search of reproductive health care. California's approach to protecting abortion rights will be one of the most watched in the country.

Produced in partnership with Women's March San Francisco.

Women's March San Francisco

This program is funded by a grant from The California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness). The Foundation's mission is to improve the health of Californians. Cal Wellness is dedicated to promoting equity through advocacy and access. 

California Wellness Foundation

Speakers
Image - Sylvia Ghazarian

Sylvia Ghazarian

Executive Director, Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (participating via Zoom)

Image - Gilda Gonzales

Gilda Gonzales

CEO, Planned Parenthood Northern California

Image - Buffy Wicks

Buffy Wicks

California State Assemblymember (District 15)

Image - Imani Rupert-Gordon

Imani Rupert-Gordon

Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights—Moderator