Opposition to Parental Notification began with Becky Bell

Teenager's tragic story galvanized pro-choice community to resist laws that forced minors to tell parents about abortion

Becky Bell, a 17-year-old Indiana high school student, was the all-American girl of the 1980s. She was a cheerleader. She was infatuated with Marilyn Monroe and had posters of her in her bedroom. She dreamed of going to Purdue to become a veterinarian. 

Her mother sensed something was wrong with her upon a return from a vacation to Florida. But Karen Bel…