NWHM Statement on the Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
The passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973 marked one of the most significant moments in women’s history. It created a federal framework in which women had the freedom to take agency over their own choices and bodies. For nearly 50 years, those freedoms meant women could make informed and personal decisions about their healthcare, work, and contributions to society. This constitutional right, now revoked, will have profound implications for the health, safety, and well-being of women and their opportunities, particularly those from marginalized communities and others who have been historically disadvantaged. Women’s rights are women’s history, and while a post-Roe future is uncertain, we will continue to educate about the history of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy; engage in thoughtful dialogue around this issue; give historical context to this and other pressing contemporary issues facing women today; and share the stories and amplify the voices of those most impacted.
About the National Women's History Museum
Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum is the nation’s leading digital-first institution dedicated to making women’s history visible and accessible. Independent from the Smithsonian, NWHM reaches millions through innovative exhibitions, education programs, and research. We believe women’s history is key to achieving equity—and central to the American story.
The Museum is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and visit us at womenshistory.org.