This is America: 50 years after Roe v. Wade, activists remain hopeful

This is America: 50 years after Roe v. Wade, activists remain hopeful

Like so many others, I will never forget the moment when news broke that the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that granted a constitutional right

Like so many others, I will never forget the moment when news broke that the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that granted a constitutional right

to abortion. I remember the flood of messages from editors coordinating news coverage and reporters scrambling to help readers make sense of what happened. It

to abortion. I remember the flood of messages from editors coordinating news coverage and reporters scrambling to help readers make sense of what happened. It

was a moment we all understood was likely coming, but only later that night was I able to stop and reflect on how this may be one of the biggest news stories of my lifetime.

was a moment we all understood was likely coming, but only later that night was I able to stop and reflect on how this may be one of the biggest news stories of my lifetime.

I spent the days after the decision writing explainer stories on "trigger bans" and medication abortion, and interviewing employees at abortion clinics who had to

I spent the days after the decision writing explainer stories on "trigger bans" and medication abortion, and interviewing employees at abortion clinics who had to

break the news to patients waiting for abortion care. Some told me of the screams and cries that erupted in waiting rooms. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need

break the news to patients waiting for abortion care. Some told me of the screams and cries that erupted in waiting rooms. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need

in your inbox each morning. In the aftermath of the ruling, abortion access was roiled back in large swaths of the country, and clinics began shuttering almost

in your inbox each morning. In the aftermath of the ruling, abortion access was roiled back in large swaths of the country, and clinics began shuttering almost

immediately. People began traveling long distances across state lines for abortions. And providers in states where the procedure remained legal were quickly overwhelmed.

immediately. People began traveling long distances across state lines for abortions. And providers in states where the procedure remained legal were quickly overwhelmed.

It's impossible to hedge: The fall of Roe was an enormous victory for anti-abortion activists and a cataclysmic loss for abortion access advocates. As

It's impossible to hedge: The fall of Roe was an enormous victory for anti-abortion activists and a cataclysmic loss for abortion access advocates. As

we approached the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the first anniversary since the ruling was overturned, I expected a mix of mourning, heartbreak, anger among abortion rights

we approached the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the first anniversary since the ruling was overturned, I expected a mix of mourning, heartbreak, anger among abortion rights

activists I interviewed. Those emotions were present, of course. But so was something completely unexpected to me: excitement.

activists I interviewed. Those emotions were present, of course. But so was something completely unexpected to me: excitement.