Roe+Vs.+Wadesls1a

Roe v. Wade is still a controversial court decision today but does anyone know the back story to it? This picture shown to the right sparked a nationwide debate and trial on legalization of abortion. But other then the picture what really started this? Norma McCorvey, a young, 21 year old, equipped with only a 10th grade education who was to poor to afford an illegal abortion.

Norma McCorvey still makes an impact on society to this day. Norma was not married and his was her third time being pregnant. She was living on the streets and knew she could not provide for this child. She felt her only option was abortion but could not terminate her pregnancy unless her life was threatened according to Texas law. So Norma McCorvey, The Doe's, a couple who could not bear a child or take contraceptives due to health risks, and a Dr. Hallford who believed if a woman wanted an abortion should be able to receive one provided a reason for pro-abortionists to challenge the Texas courts.

In March 1970, Norma got the wheels in motion in turning over the 100 year old law on abortion. She filed a lawsuit on behalf of herself under the alias "Jane Roe." Norma during this time stated she had been raped by 3 men and 1 woman but in later testimony she stated, "I made up the story that I had been raped to help justify my abortion." The Doe's and Dr.Hallford also filed their lawsuit at the same time.

The district court dismissed The Doe's and Dr.Hallford's cases due to lack of evidence and standing. Norma's case made it all the way to sentencing where they declined to dismiss the laws against the enforcement of the laws barring abortion. Still they did not stop and the case was proposed to the Supreme Court on an appeal in 1972. On January 22, 1973 with a 7-2 majority vote in the favor of Roe deemed abortion a fundamental right under the US Constitution. Gloria Feldt, president of plan parenthood, once said, ""It (Roe v. Wade) has fundamentally altered the legal, medical and political landscape of this country."

Many people believe this was a country changing court case. This decision has changed many of life's and still does to this day. Abortion is a sensitive topic and can be debated about on hours but to this day the ruling in this case still stands. Norma McCorvey once said, "I signed an affidavit that brought the holocaust of abortion onto this nation." Some people may belive that is so but according to statistics over time the majority of the country has always been pro-abortion.