The continuing struggle for control over women’s bodies

By Peggy Perkins

In the 19th century, Vice Crusader Anthony Comstock lobbied Congress to make it a crime to possess, distribute, or provide information about contraception or abortion.  He was successful, making contraception hard to obtain and rarely discussed in public.  Enter Margaret Sanger who resolved that women should have knowledge of birth control, should know about their own bodies and embarked on a lifelong quest to provide women with information about methods of contraception.

Her crusade put her in the crosshairs of the Comstock Act and the determination to control women by controlling their bodies.  For her efforts, Margaret Sanger was imprisoned multiple times.  But, her dedication to saving women’s lives along with support from the scientific community, the Comstock Act was challenged.  Finally in 1972, the Supreme Court legalized all forms of contraception for all individuals.

Now back in the 21st Century, the march to control women by controlling their bodies continues with Republicans taking a renewed look at the Comstock Act to make the mailing of mifepristone illegal and eventually other birth control methods.  Their Life at Conception Act opens up the criminalization of abortion for any reason and possibly in vitro fertilization treatments. 

For Barrow County and the U.S., the female population outnumbers the male population.  There are 4.2 million females age 85 and older that remember remember when.  Ladies,  tell Republicans that you and only you control your body. Vote Blue.

Peggy Perkins is a resident of Winder