1/18
I want to tell you the story of Sarah Weddington. Sarah was born in 1945 in Abilene, Texas. Sarah always thought she’d grow up to teach high school students about the epic poem “Beowulf”. By the time she got to college, her aspirations had evolved. #velshi
I want to tell you the story of Sarah Weddington. Sarah was born in 1945 in Abilene, Texas. Sarah always thought she’d grow up to teach high school students about the epic poem “Beowulf”. By the time she got to college, her aspirations had evolved. #velshi
2/18
Despite her college dean telling her law school would be too tough for a woman, she enrolled at the University of Texas Law School in 1964: one of 40 women in a class of 1,600. #velshi
Despite her college dean telling her law school would be too tough for a woman, she enrolled at the University of Texas Law School in 1964: one of 40 women in a class of 1,600. #velshi
3/18
Sarah Weddington recalls a building across from the law school, where women - and some men - would sit in little nooks, at desks rescued from the garbage, and work to preserve women’s rights. #velshi
Sarah Weddington recalls a building across from the law school, where women - and some men - would sit in little nooks, at desks rescued from the garbage, and work to preserve women’s rights. #velshi
4/18
After law school graduation, she joined a group of students seeking to amend anti-abortion laws. Weddington remembers sitting at a snack bar when a student said, “We need to get a lawsuit filed & try to overturn TX anti-abortion law. Would you be willing to do it?” #velshi
After law school graduation, she joined a group of students seeking to amend anti-abortion laws. Weddington remembers sitting at a snack bar when a student said, “We need to get a lawsuit filed & try to overturn TX anti-abortion law. Would you be willing to do it?” #velshi
5/18
Weddington argued that she didn’t have enough legal experience, to which the student asked, “How much would you charge?” Weddington said she’d do it for free. #velshi
Weddington argued that she didn’t have enough legal experience, to which the student asked, “How much would you charge?” Weddington said she’d do it for free. #velshi
6/18
Soon after, Weddington along with her colleague Linda Coffee, took on the case of a 21yr old pregnant woman who was seeking an abortion in Texas. #velshi
Soon after, Weddington along with her colleague Linda Coffee, took on the case of a 21yr old pregnant woman who was seeking an abortion in Texas. #velshi
7/18
The case ended up before SCOTUS; to this day, Sarah Weddington is the youngest person ever to argue a successful case before the Supreme Court. But hers is not the name you associate with the case. That would be her client: Norma McCorvey. #velshi
The case ended up before SCOTUS; to this day, Sarah Weddington is the youngest person ever to argue a successful case before the Supreme Court. But hers is not the name you associate with the case. That would be her client: Norma McCorvey. #velshi
8/18
If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because Norma’s real name wasn’t known. She was known to the court—and the public, at the time, as Jane Roe. As in Roe versus Wade. And what a case it was: resulting in the legalization of abortion in the U.S. #velshi
If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because Norma’s real name wasn’t known. She was known to the court—and the public, at the time, as Jane Roe. As in Roe versus Wade. And what a case it was: resulting in the legalization of abortion in the U.S. #velshi
9/18
But here’s the thing many people don’t realize. Roe V. Wade was not actually about a woman’s access to the abortion medical procedure. It centered around the right to privacy. #velshi
But here’s the thing many people don’t realize. Roe V. Wade was not actually about a woman’s access to the abortion medical procedure. It centered around the right to privacy. #velshi
10/18
Weddington looked to the 1965 case: Griswold Vs. Connecticut, which involved doctors supplying contraceptives to a married couple. The court found that the couple had a right to privacy and that it was up to them to decide whether or not to use contraception. #velshi
Weddington looked to the 1965 case: Griswold Vs. Connecticut, which involved doctors supplying contraceptives to a married couple. The court found that the couple had a right to privacy and that it was up to them to decide whether or not to use contraception. #velshi
11/18
From there, the precedent for Roe V. Wade was set. The court applied the core constitutional right to privacy - ruling that the 14th amendment protects a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. And that it would be her own business. #velshi
From there, the precedent for Roe V. Wade was set. The court applied the core constitutional right to privacy - ruling that the 14th amendment protects a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. And that it would be her own business. #velshi
12/18
That was 1973. In 2021, Sarah Weddington’s groundbreaking work is on life support. States are chipping away at the landmark decision. Now it’s very possible that the conservative-packed court backs away from 5 decades of precedent, overturning Roe V. Wade. #velshi
That was 1973. In 2021, Sarah Weddington’s groundbreaking work is on life support. States are chipping away at the landmark decision. Now it’s very possible that the conservative-packed court backs away from 5 decades of precedent, overturning Roe V. Wade. #velshi
13/18
How is that even possible? How on earth is the right to an abortion, not a universally protected right. The answer is that the right to an abortion is not codified law. #velshi
How is that even possible? How on earth is the right to an abortion, not a universally protected right. The answer is that the right to an abortion is not codified law. #velshi
14/18
Beyond the 9 justices on the SCOTUS - there is nothing that guarantees women the right to access to abortion care. The only way to ensure women have access to safe & legal abortions, is by passing legislation in Congress: making legal abortion law of the land. #velshi
Beyond the 9 justices on the SCOTUS - there is nothing that guarantees women the right to access to abortion care. The only way to ensure women have access to safe & legal abortions, is by passing legislation in Congress: making legal abortion law of the land. #velshi
15/18
As long as we’re even talking about abortion and the Supreme Court in the same sentence - a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body is not safe. Sarah Weddington made a decision for herself, which *may have* changed the course of American freedoms. #velshi
As long as we’re even talking about abortion and the Supreme Court in the same sentence - a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body is not safe. Sarah Weddington made a decision for herself, which *may have* changed the course of American freedoms. #velshi
16/18
In a book published in 1992, she revealed that while in law school, she became pregnant. She drove to Mexico, and got an abortion. Weddington wishes she knew the doctor’s name so she could thank him. #velshi
In a book published in 1992, she revealed that while in law school, she became pregnant. She drove to Mexico, and got an abortion. Weddington wishes she knew the doctor’s name so she could thank him. #velshi
17/18
In a 2017 interview, Weddington was asked if she still feels like the young woman who helped legalize abortion. She answered, “Well, my hair is white now, so in one way, I don’t see myself as her at all even if, whatever else I do in my life the headline…” #velshi
In a 2017 interview, Weddington was asked if she still feels like the young woman who helped legalize abortion. She answered, “Well, my hair is white now, so in one way, I don’t see myself as her at all even if, whatever else I do in my life the headline…” #velshi
18/18
“… on my obituary is always going to be: “Roe v Wade attorney dies.” But in terms of my emotions, yes: I think most women of my generation can recall our feelings about the fight. It’s like young love. You may not feel exactly the same, but you remember it.” #velshi
“… on my obituary is always going to be: “Roe v Wade attorney dies.” But in terms of my emotions, yes: I think most women of my generation can recall our feelings about the fight. It’s like young love. You may not feel exactly the same, but you remember it.” #velshi
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