The organized pro-abortion or “pro-choice” movement in the United States had its roots in the activities surrounding the passage of the liberal New York abortion law in 1970. To promote this legislation, New York feminists met and worked together to present their case before the New York Legislature; similar groups of women worked together in other Eastern states. In 1971, twenty-five New Haven, Connecticut women filed a class action lawsuit, Abele vs. Markle (also known as Women vs. State of Connecticut), to express their opposition to the state's anti-abortion laws. These two events, plus the abortion cases, Roe vs. Wade (Texas) and Doe vs. Bolton (Georgia), which were pending hearing in the U.S. Supreme Court in December, served as the focus for the movement. The groups coalesced, and on July 16-18, 1971, to commemorate the 123rd anniversary of the Woman's Rights Convention held at Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848, a similar gathering of feminists was held in New York City.
The Women's National Abortion Action Coalition (WONAAC) was officially formed July 19, 1971, following the conference. Over 1000 women from 23 states and representing 253 organizations met at Columbia University to launch the nationally coordinated pro-abortion campaign. The purpose of the new organization was to promote the rights of women to control their own bodies -- to choose when and if they would bear children, to have access to safe, effective means of contraception, and not to fear forced or coerced sterilization. From 1971 to 1973, the repeal of all abortion laws was the main focus of the Coalition. Realization of this major goal was achieved with the January 22, 1973, pro-abortion decision of the Supreme Court.
Membership in WONAAC was open to individual women and to women's organizations. Affiliated chapters existed in most major cities and on college campuses. A national coordinating committee was in charge of implementing and overseeing the decisions and policies drawn up at the national conferences. WONAAC's major activities included demonstrations, court action, dissemination of information, and formation of a united front against abortion opponents.
