HIGHER HEIGHTS STATEMENT ON LEAKED SUPREME COURT DRAFT THAT WOULD OVERTURN ROE V. WADE

“When abortions are made illegal or restricted, Black women disproportionately suffer.” 

BROOKLYN (MAY 2, 2022) – Higher Heights for America, the leading national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing Black women’s political power, released the following statement in response to a leaked memo stating that the Supreme Court privately voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade case that has guaranteed the right to abortion for a half-century: 

“This news is shocking and, if true, an abhorrent rollback of women’s rights.  When abortions are made illegal or restricted Black women disproportionately suffer life-threatening complications and even death.  What’s more, many of the states poised to ban abortion access in the wake of this dangerous decision are listed among those with the largest Black populations. For poor and working-class women, a disproportionate number of whom are Black and brown, overturning Roe won’t mean that abortions will end. It will mean that safe abortions in healthcare facilities will move out of reach. Black women are disproportionately more likely to have low incomes, live in rural areas, and lack access to health care due to systemic racism and discrimination.  

We stand with our allies in this moment to continue the fight for equitable access to safe and legal abortions for all women. Now is the time that we must stand firmly and not back down from the fight – given its inevitable impact on our communities.”
                                                                                            

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Higher Heights for America is the only national organization providing Black women with a political home exclusively dedicated to harnessing their power to expand Black women’s elected representation and voting participation, and advance progressive policies from the voting booth to elected office and creating the environment for Black women to run, win and lead. For additional information, visit https://www.higherheightsforamerica.org.