A note to readers
I promise I haven't forgotten about anyone or abortion for that matter.
(Dr. Aleck Bourne exits a courthouse during a seminal abortion trial in 1930s England)
This past week has seen less content than usual, as I’ve been traveling to conduct research for my book about abortion. So, I apologize to my readers for not writing more. I can assure you that my mind hasn’t drifted away from the topic.
I’ve been carrying on extensive conversations with professors, intellectuals, and leaders about the direction of the movement and potential landmark legal developments that could determine how abortion access looks in the future. As with all of you, it’s hard to stay abreast of every development, and as journalism has been gutted, you can’t always rely on newspapers, magazines, and television outlets to catch everything. So much of it means going through legislative records and legal documents, which can be time-consuming to find and interpret.
I’m also in the process of adapting for the stage and screen the story of Dr. Aleck Bourne, a London OB/GYN who faced life imprisonment in 1938 for performing an abortion on a 14-year-old rape victim. I’ve spent two years researching the case and its aftermath, and the screenplay has placed well in several contests. It’s a timely moment to bring up within the context of what’s happening to the global reproductive rights movement. I hope audiences will eventually see it depicted on film and in theatre.
Anyone with any tips or requests for research can always email me at codymcdevitt@gmail.com. My role is to gather information for leaders so they can make better decisions. You don’t have to be a big wig for me to respond, though. I’ll answer virtually every email that I see from readers.
More professional women want to live in abortion-tolerant states
A new study shows that young professional women are more attracted to areas that have widely accessible abortion care than they are to places that have restrictive laws and bans in place.
The Institute for Women's Policy Research released a new study this week showing how abortion restrictions are influencing where people live and work and what they look for in employers. Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, president and CEO of the organization, said access to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental component of workplace equity.
"Workers are not willing to trade their health and autonomy for a paycheck,” she said.
More than 10,000 adults were surveyed. It found one in five individuals planning to have children within the next decade has moved to another state due to abortion restrictions. Fifty-seven percent of likely future parents prioritize employers who offer reproductive healthcare benefits. More than half of workers believe companies should support reproductive rights through relocation assistance, expanded benefits, or remote work options.
The report recommends actions for employers to build a resilient workforce and ensure long-term business sustainability. These include providing comprehensive healthcare coverage and offering benefits such as paying for abortion care services, fertility treatments, and travel support for out-of-state care.
The report is attached below.
