In 1957, Gloria Steinem, then 22 and a recent Smith College graduate, sought an illegal abortion in London after fleeing her engagement and unwanted pregnancy. She later dedicated her 2015 memoir to the doctor who helped her, recalling his request that she live life on her own terms. Steinem went on to become a leading figure in the second-wave feminist movement, championing reproductive freedom, including access to safe, legal abortion.

Her efforts contributed to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which affirmed abortion as a constitutional right in the United States. In the years following Roe, millions of women entered higher education and the workforce, gaining greater autonomy over their lives.

However, today abortion is banned or severely restricted in 17 states, leading to preventable deaths, medical complications, and increased poverty among women denied care. Studies show women turned away from abortion are more likely to remain in abusive relationships and rely on public assistance. Steinem’s legacy is both celebrated and contested as the fight for reproductive rights continues.