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Growing Movement for Self-Managed Abortions Explores Options Beyond Clinics

Advances in medicine and discoveries made by women themselves have changed the kind of options available.

Over 1,000 New Yorkers joined pro-choice activist groups and elected officials at Foley Square on May 21, 2019, to take part in a national day of action for abortion rights at the NYC Stop the Bans Rally.

In this episode of Making Contact, we explore new safe at-home abortion options and the growing movement for “self-managed abortions.”

Amidst changes to the Supreme Court of the United States, and after decades of restrictions to abortion access across the country, people continue to find ways to make this vital procedure safer, more affordable, and more accessible. Advances in medicine and discoveries made by women themselves have changed the kind of options available outside of clinics.

Featuring:

  • Making Contact’s adaptation of a piece by Hannah Nguyen and State of the Human at the Stanford Storytelling Project: a look back at the Jane Collective of the 1970’s in Chicago told by the Janes themselves: Jeanne Galatzer-Levy, Martha Scott, Judith Arcana

Original current interviews with:

  • Linci Comy, former executive director of Woman’s Choice Clinic, the West Coast Feminist Health Project

  • Nina Liss-Schultz, research editor at Mother Jones Magazine

Music: Universe in the Bath, Letmeknowyouanatole; Illumination I, Letmeknowyouanatole; Choose Another Way, Letmeknowyouanatole; Weightlessness, Daniel Birch

Archival Sound:

  • Roe v. Wade, Oyez

  • 1973 CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite (1/22/73), CBS

  • Third Presidential Debate Highlights | Trump, Clinton on Abortion, ABC News

  • Speaker Ryan’s Remarks at the March for Life, Speaker Paul Ryan

  • House’s 20-week abortion ban heads to the Senate, Fox News

Credits:

  • Episode Producers: Charlotte Landes and Lisa Rudman

  • Freelance Producer: Hannah Nguyen

  • Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Monica Lopez

  • Executive Director: Lisa Rudman

  • Web Editor: Dylan Heuer

  • Associate Producer: Aysha Choudary

  • Social Media Mixer: Jackie Marusiack

Music:

  • Greylock by Blue Dot Sessions

  • Clay Pawn Shop by Blue Dot Sessions

  • Brushed Bells Leaving Home by Daniel Birch

  • Entonces by A. A. Aalto

  • Chris Zabriskie – It’s Always Too Late to Start Over and Readers! Do You Read

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