Why Supreme Court abortion decision empowers women?

by Danielle F. Winter

Supreme Court explains Roe v. Wade. down.

Shannon Bream, Fox News’ chief legal correspondent, details the Supreme Court ruling that overturns America’s long-standing precedent for abortion.

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Every newspaper in America reports on revising US abortion law due to the landmark Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. But it’s not just the law being remade — our national perspective on motherhood.

Why Supreme Court abortion decision empowers women?

This case eventually reverses Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision in which seven male judges put forward a dim view of motherhood and said it “forced a stifling life and future on women.” All mothers know this is a demeaning and untrue image, and now, with Dobbs’ decision, the damage of that devastating lie can be undone. A post-Roe America can protect unborn children and empower their mothers.

I had the privilege of serving as counsel for Mississippi in Dobbs. When I was asked to help with the case, my daughter was about six months old. She traveled with me to Mississippi and other places when Alliance Defending Freedom, the nonprofit law firm I work for, supported Mississippi in her case to overthrow Roe.

My work on Dobbs—a case with the potential to finally return to the states with the ability to appreciate any life, no matter how young—became even more meaningful by having a baby in tow. One memory stands out. Abigail and I had flown most of the morning and made a critical encounter in Mississippi. My nanny hadn’t arrived, and Abbi needed a nap! Luckily she fell asleep in the pram when we found the conference room. But it wasn’t long before she woke up – screaming. Despite the awkwardness of comforting a baby while trying to discuss legal strategy, I’m grateful for the tangible (and loud) reminder of why Dobbs matters.

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The Dobbs deliberations made it clear that America’s appreciation of motherhood was at stake. As 240 women scientists and professionals wrote in an amicus briefing in Dobbs, women are fully capable of being mothers and living fulfilling lives. Further, in the 50 years since Roe, every state has passed safe-haven adoption laws, and birth control has become widely available with a median cost and near-zero failure rate.

The Lord gives different callings to women – each of them glorifying Him. In my case, a calling, first and foremost, to my family. A calling to be a mother to a small but ferocious red-haired girl and her two rambunctious brothers and to be a supportive wife to a wonderful husband. And a calling to also use my legal skills for God’s glory.

I know motherhood isn’t easy. It is an immensely daunting task to be burdened with little people’s spiritual and physical well-being. I also know that most law firms (and most jobs) may not celebrate a child’s contributions to a discussion with joy. Tragically, the availability of abortion has made the workplace less friendly to women and mothers. Even in the best of circumstances, being a parent is demanding. And it becomes infinitely more difficult for single mothers like my mother, many of whom do not have the support of a family, community, or church.

But the abortion-on-demand regime imposed by Roe v. Wade is not an answer. Chief Justice Roberts noted during a plea in Dobbs that the United States protects the unborn less than almost any other country in the world. Only a few countries (six) allow elective, on-demand abortions during all nine months of pregnancy, including the United States, China, and North Korea. No European nation goes as far as Roe, and most countries either don’t allow elective abortions or limit abortions to 12 weeks.

Furthermore, fifty years of scientific advances since Roe has taught us more about baby development. We know that life begins at conception. And after just 15 weeks, when Mississippi’s Pregnancy Law applies, a baby can move, stretch, hiccup, and probably feel pain.

Roe’s legacy is one of the unwanted abortions. One study found that most women are unsure about aborting their children. Surveys show that 75 percent of women who have had an abortion say they would have chosen life had they had support. In a post-Roe America, we must get alongside expectant mothers and ensure each has the resources she needs to thrive.

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Abortion proponents don’t have a good answer to the fact that almost every other country better protects the unborn life. When confronted with that reality, the honest pro-abortion response is Bill Maher’s unsavory view that “life isn’t necessarily precious.”

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On that hot Mississippi day, Abbi was an example of why the Dobbs case is so important — because every life matters. She was the answer to the statement that ‘life is not necessarily precious’. Her round cheeks, red curls, and infectious smile were unique and precious. And at the same time, she was no more special and no more loved by God than any other child – each deserved life.

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The author served as Mississippi counsel and defended Mississippi’s gestational age law in the United States Supreme Court.

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