PRH & Reproductive HEALTH MILESTONES

Explore how PRH’s history intersects with major moments in the fight for reproductive health.

Timeline

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1992

Founders Establish The Society for Reproductive Choice and Health

Several physicians interested in advocating for reproductive health become a 16-member steering committee named The Society of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health. The Society is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in New York. The founding members were Drs. Richard Behrman, John G. Boyce, Wendy Chavkin, Quentin B. Deming, Margaret Hamburg, Richard Hausknecht, Jaroslav F. Hulka, Howard Jones, Elizabeth Karlin, Warren Pearce, Suzanne Poppema, D. Malcolm Potts, William Rashbaum, Helen Rodriguez-Trias, Denese Shervington, and Beverly Winikoff.

The Supreme Court Adopts the Undue Burden Standard

In Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Supreme Court of the United States rules that restrictions on abortion are allowed as long as they do not place an undue burden on a person’s right to choose abortion.

1993

Forced Norplant Sterilization Ordered in California

A California judge orders Darlene Johnson, a Black woman, to accept temporary sterilization with Norplant as a condition of her parole.

1994

Protections Strengthen with the Passage of VAWA

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is signed into law.

The Reproductive Justice Framework is Defined

The founding mothers of the Reproductive Justice framework meet to address the limitations of the reproductive rights movement in not centering the reality of Black women and birthing people. The term Reproductive Justice is coined.

1996

Leadership Takes Shape

The now 100 physician member Society elects a 17-member board, with founding chair Seymour Romney, MD , and Executive Director Jodi Magee.

1998

Society Renamed Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH)

The Society becomes Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) and becomes a full-time organization. PRCH organizes its first media training and lobby day in support of Title X and insurance coverage of contraception in Washington, DC.

Mission, Vision, & History

Learn more about where we’ve been, what we believe, and where we’re going.

Issues & Impact

Learn more about the issue areas PRH advocates for every day and the reach of our collective efforts over the last 33 years.

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