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Reproductive Rights National Network records

 Collection
Identifier: M137

Overview

The Reproductive Rights National Network was an umbrella organization that connected about 50 feminist affiliates between 1978 and 1984, when it dissolved due to lack of funding. While the national organization collapsed, the Boston affiliate survived until 1995. The Network developed out of a socialist project in Chicago during the late 1970s, when activists took a proactive approach to the abortion debate in the wake of Roe v. Wade. In 1978, Reproductive Rights National Network formed to reframe the debate. Its proactive stance set it apart from other organizations that simply responded to right-wing activism. By the end of 1978, nearly 50 women's and leftist organizations had joined the network. The Network devoted itself to making reproductive choice a reality for all women. It focused not only on increasing access to safe and affordable abortions, but also on working against the compulsive sterilization of "unfit" mothers, and advocating for the rights of LGBT couples to foster, adopt, and raise children. The Network also organized against the 1977 Hyde Amendment, which prohibited using federal money for abortions. During the early 1990s, it coordinated with the National Organization for Women to protect reproductive health clinic workers from harassment by right-wing activist organizations such as Operation Rescue. Through its newsletter, which was published from the late 1980s until the mid 1990s, the Reproductive Rights National Network raised awareness about the fight for reproductive freedom and organized activists in Greater Boston.



Dates

  • Creation: 1969-1995
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1980-1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist.

Extent

0.15 cubic feet (1 container)

Language

English

Title
Finding aid for the Reproductive Rights National Network Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Caro Pinto and Cynthia Rufo
Date
2007 Oct 26
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Snell Library
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US