The Republican War on Contraception

From Mother Jones: The Republican War on Contraception.

The first sign of the new assault came last October, when Mississippi activists and congressional Republicans pushed legislation on the state and federal level, respectively, that would have treated zygotes—a.k.a. fertilized human eggs—as legal "persons." If the definition of legal personhood is changed so that it begins when sperm meets an egg, hormonal birth control or barrier devices that prevent zygotes from implanting in the uterine wall could become illegal, making using an IUD tantamount to murder. Yet some 40 percent of House Republicans and a quarter of their allies in the Senate back bills that would do just that.

I hate those busybodies.

Women are not livestock

From the news: "Canadian fatwa condemns honour killings."

The Muslim cleric who declared his religious decision that "Honour killings are no part of Islam" admits that, unfortunately, fatwas like this don't change the rate of murders motivated as
"honour killings."

A Canadian imam issued a fatwa Saturday officially condemning honour killings and family violence. The edict is an official reminder to Muslims, coming from the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and signed by 34 imams across Canada and the U.S.

The official decree was made in a Mississauga, Ont., mosque and was initiated by Calgary imam Syed Soharwardy, who founded the council. The fatwa condemned honour killings, domestic violent and misogyny as "un-Islamic."

It was made in response to the recent Shafia family murder trial in Kingston, Ont., in which a Montreal couple and their son were convicted of killing four female relatives.

Illegal abortions kill: Part 2

Illegal abortions kill people. That's why we need contraception, sex education, and legal abortions done early in a hospital with antibiotics and all emergency equipment at hand. Nevertheless, anti-choice groups have lovingly collected tales of the Danger of Abortions, in an attempt to confuse oranges with apples.

These stories are about abortions done by doctors. The deaths occurred between 1839 and 1968---yes, they had to go back to the 1800s to amass this impressive list--but most were in the first half of the 20th Century--before antibiotics. Because abortion was illegal, doctors were not trained in how to do them safely. Other abortions were done by self-taught practitioners such as nurses. See Illegal abortion kills, Part 1.)

These stories are reminders of what it is like today in countries with little medical care for pregnant women.

The reason that deaths from illegal abortions taper off is because of better medical care, increased access to contraception, and, of course, the fact that illegal abortions are dangerous led to the legalization of abortion.

Illegal Abortions Done by Doctors

The bulk of illegal abortions were done by physicians. Here are some of the fatal results of their good intentions.

1800s

1. Eliza Sowers. A Philadelphia boarding house owner reported that in early October of 1839, a Dr. Henry Chauncey appeared at breakfast time and had her make some special tea. The tea was given to 21-year-old Eliza Sowers, a paper mill worker.
2. Mary Ackerly. Mary's seducer kept her in a brothel while he arranged for the abortion that took her life in 1846.
3. Jemima Beneway. In February of 1858, Jemima's parents and friends thought they were sending her off to be married, not for a fatal abortion at the hands of Dr. Milton Gray. 
4. Mary Visscher. This young factory worker died in the home of midwife/physicians Elizabeth Byrnes and Mary E. Smith in 1859.
5. Amelia Weber. On May 19, 1858, Mrs. Amelia Weber died at the home of Dr. Cobel in Brooklyn. Suspicions were raised and she was exhumed for an investigation.
6. Susan A. Webster. Susan's uncle and her abortionist were arrested for her death in 1858.
7. Olive Ash. Accompanied by her twin sister, Olivia, Olive went to Dr. William Howard's home to secure an abortion in 1858.
8. Louisa Hullsberger. At the 1863 sentencing of Dr. A. L. Alstead, the judge had some harsh words for him.  
9. Emma Wolfer. Pregnant by a doctor, working for a doctor, this young woman still died of her abortion in 1865.
10. Magdalena Philippi. On March 16, 1869, Magdalena Philippi died of complications of an abortion performed on her, evidently by a Dr. Gabriel Wolff.
11.  Belle Wertz. A spontaneous coroner's inquest broke out during the 1874 funeral of abortion victim Belle Wertz.  
12. Mary Foorman. Mary disappeared without a trace in November of 1875. It wasn't until the following May that her brother confessed to helping bury her in a swamp after she died in an abortion he helped to arrange.
13. Jennie P. Clar. Jennie's body was found stuffed into a trunk tossed into the Saugus River in 1879. 
14. Mary McCarty. In 1880, Dr. Banks was arrested for the abortion death of Mary McCarty.
15. Gussie Ellergood. On Saturday, July 1, 1882, Gussie Ellergood of Carlisle, Illinois, died in a St. Louis hospital. She named Dr. McWilliams as her abortionist. 
16. Mrs. O'Connor. Dr. Arichibald Lawson fled to avoid arrest in Mrs. O'Connors 1883 death.
17. Lizzie Cook. Twenty-five-year-old Lizzie Cook, a farmer's daughter, died suddenly on July 27, 1884, in Lockport, New York. Suspicions surrounding this woman's death led to an exhumation which uncovered the abortion.
18. Hughretta Binkley. At lunchtime on April 1, 1898, Hughretta "Etta" Binkley went to the residence/office of Dr. Belle Howard, aka Belle Shotwell, for an illegal abortion.
19. Cora Burke. Cora A. Burke was a 20-year-old who had been widowed about five months. In May of 1899, Cora told Mrs. Martha Johnson that she was about six weeks pregnant and wanted to find a good doctor to perform an abortion. Mrs. Johnson introduced Cora to Dr. R. J. Alcorn.
20. Marie Hicht. Marie, who died in 1899, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Jean Cohen.

1900-1909

1. Ida Henry. In 1900, Ida died at the home she shared with Dr. Paulina Bechtel, from complications of an abortion Bechtel had performed on her there that day. Bechtel was also implicated in the death of Barbara Shelgren.
2. Barbara Shelgren. In 1900, Barbara died at Augustana Hospital in Chicago of an abortion performed there that day. Paulina Bechtel, identified elsewhere as a doctor, was implicated in the death. She was also implicated in the death of Ida Henry.
3. Julia K. Pettinger. On January 7, 1901, Mrs. Julia K. Pettinger died in her home from an abortion performed there that day, attributed to Dr. Maggie Becker.
4. Mrs. G.H. Matteson. On May 9, 1901, Mrs. Matteson, a homemaker, died from an illegal abortion in Chicago. Mrs. Matteson's husband was arrested, as was Dr. J.B. Butts.
5. Mrs. George W. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson, age 28, died at her Chicago home on August 18, 1901, from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Muenster was arrested for the death.
6. Rose Lefebre. On December 2, 1901, the body of Rose Lefebre was found in the office of Dr. Volbending. It appeared that Rose had died from an abortion.
7. Irma Brown. On November 15, 1901, 22-year-old Irma Brown of Garden City, Kansas, died at County Hospital from complications of an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Robert E. Gray was arrested. 
8. Irene Wengel. In June of 1902, Irene Wengel travelled to Tampa, Florida, where she was met by her cousin, J. Carl Christian. Christian had arranged for her to stay at the home of Dr. Frederick N. Weightnovel for an abortion.
9. Florence Gaiewski. On September 3, 1903, Mrs. Florence Gaiewski died in St. Mary's Hospital in Chicago from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Ladislaw Slominski was arrested.
10. Alice Bloom. Some time in early 1905, 28-year-old Alice Bloom died suddenly in Chicago from an apparent criminal abortion. Dr. Julius N. Goltz as arrested as a principal.
11. May Putnam. May, who died in 1905, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz.
12. Lola Madison. 1906. Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, was arrested in the abortion death of this 28-year-old woman from Salt Lake City.
13. Annie Horvatich. Annie, who died in 1907, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz.
14. Mrs. Gies. Shortly after the 1908 abortion death of Mrs. Gies, her abortionist was poisoned.

1910-1919

1. Anna L. Mueller. On June 25, 1911, 20-year-old Mrs. Anna L. Mueller died from a criminal abortion performed by Dr. George Lotz. 
2. Emma Chandler. Dr. J. A. Richmond was arrested for the 1913 abortion death of Emma Chandler.
3. Lillie Giovenco. On October 1, 1914, 18-year-old Lillie Giovenco died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion blamed on Drs. Eva Shaver, Leopold Pijan, and John Fernow. Shaver was also responsible for the death of Anna Johnson. 
4. Florence S. Lindquist. On April 26, 1914, eighteen-year-old Florence S. Lindquist died in the Chicago home of Dr. Arthur Schulz.
5. Anna Anderson. On October 15, 1915, Anna, a 25-year-old unmarried woman, went to the office of Dr. A. A. Ausplund seeking an abortion.
6. Anna Johnson. In May 26, 1915, Anna Johnson died from an abortion performed by Dr. Eva Shaver, who then shot the dead woman in the head to disguise the death as a suicide. Shaver was one of the doctors implicated in the death of Lillie Giovenco.
7. Alda Christopherson. Dr. Lillian Hobbs was convicted in the 1916 abortion death of this 21-year-old unmarried Chicago woman.
8. Katherine Cross. Katherine was one of two women to die in as many months at the hands of Dr. A.H. Yates in 1917.
9. Eva Swan. In September of 1910, Eva died after a "Dr. Grant" performed an abortion on her. "Dr. Grant," it turned out, was actually a Dr. Robert Thompson, a graduate of Dartmouth and Baltimore Medical College.
10. Elise Stone. Elise was one of two women to die in as many months at the hands of Dr. A.H. Yates in 1917.
11. Ada Williams. Dr. Noble O. Hamilton was blamed for the 1917 death of Ada Williams in Colorado.
12. Mary Park. Two doctors were implicated in Mary's 1917 death. One was sentenced to prison, the other sent to a mental hospital.

1920-1929

1. Alice Johnson. In 1923, Alice died at Chicago's West End Hospital from a criminal abortion performed there that day. The coroner identified Dr. Lorenz Lapsky as being responsible.
2. Emma Herod. In 1923, Emma died of an abortion performed in her Chicago home.
3. Madelyn Anderson. In 1924, Madelyn died at Chicago's Washington Park Hospital from back alley abortion complications. Dr. Louise Achtenberg was arrested for Madelyn's death.
4. Helen Bain. On November 20, 1925, 23-year-old Helen died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. George Slater was arrested.
5. Jean Cohen. Jean, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. Other deaths attributed to Dr. Hagenow include Bridget Masterson, Mary Moorehead, Nina Pierce, Elizabeth Welter, Lottie Lowy, and Marie Hicht.
6. Betty Fisher. On June 13, 1925, 24-year-old Betty died in the Chicago office of doctors August Goetz and Henry Gautsen from an abortion performed that day.
7. Edith Green. Edith's boyfriend admitted to police that he had arranged for an abortion by Dr. Thomas E. Walsh in 1926.
8. Ethel Horner. On October 15, 1926, 23-year-old Ethel died at Chicago's Jackson park Hospital from an abortion performed earlier that day. Dr. Albert Peacock was arrested the following day.
9. Jeanette Jarrett. On October 11, 1926, Jeanette, a 28-year-old Black woman, died from complications of a criminal abortion performed on her that day. A Black doctor, Roy Shell, was held by the coroner.
10.  Alice Annalora. On March 20, 1926, 19-year-old Alice died at the County Hospital in Chicago from complications of an abortion performed that day. Dr. Wilford Vine was booked for Alice's death.
11. Auna Arola. In 1927, 31-year-old Auna died from a criminal abortion in Chicago. Dr. Vincent Tonavena was arrested.
12. Shellane Franklin. In 1927, 27-year-old Shellane, a Black woman, died at the scene of an abortion performed on her that day. Dr. Gordon Jackson, a white man, was held by the coroner.
13. Irene Campbell. On August 9, 1927, Irene died in the Chicago office of Dr. Herman Webber from an abortion performed there that day. 
14. Nancy Dawson. On March 21, 1927, Nancy died on-site from a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. J.F. Peck and midwife Christine Sedwig were booked for murder
15. Julia Agoston. In 1928, 24-year-old Julia died from a criminal abortion in Chicago. Dr. Anton Feher and Dr. Helen Moskowitz were held in the death.
16. Anna Borndal. On November 4, 1928, 22-year-old Anna died at the office of Dr. Lou E. Davis of Chicago, from complications of an abortion performed there that day.
17. Dr. Davis was implicated in the deaths of Esther Wahlstrom and Mary Whitney.
18. Loretta Enders. Dr. Amenti Rongetti's death sentence was handed down by a Chicago jury March 1, 1928. Rongetti had been convicted of murder in the abortion death of 19-year-old Loretta Enders. A year later, he was implicated in the death of Elizabeth Palumbo.
19. Rose Hannover. On June 22, 1928, 31-year-old Rose died at the office of Dr. Lester I. Ofner from complications of an abortion performed there that day.
20. Arretta Hardesty. In 1928, Roy E. Hardesty won an award of $5,000 for the death of his wife, Arretta. Arretta had paid a physician, John T. Martin, $10 for the abortion, which was performed surgically.
21. Emmy Anderson. In 1929, Dr. Sven Windrow performed a fatal abortion on 19-year-old Emmy at a Chicago location. 
22. Virginia Clark. On February 21, 1929, Virginia Clark died of complications of a botched, illegal abortion. Virginia was treated prior to her death by a Dr. McArthur, who said that Virginia told him that when she learned that she was pregnant, the man responsible arranged for an abortion by a doctor.
23. Winifred Garver. On June 24, 1929, 19-year-old Winifred Garver underwent an abortion at the office of Dr. Anna Schultz, aka Rollins.
24. Agnes Johnson. On October 12, 1929, 33-year-old Agnes underwent a criminal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. Joseph Stern.
25. Margaret Marts. Mrs. Marts went to a Dr. Anderson, who she'd previously never seen. He did not examine her, but made arrangements to go to her home around noon the following day, January 20, 1920, to perform "an operation."
26. Etta Marcus. In 1924, 30-year-old Etta died from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. The coroner concluded that Dr. William J. Wick had performed the fatal abortion at his office
27. Lottie Lowy. Lottie, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz. 
28. Bridget Masterson. Bridget, who died in 1925, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz.
29. Viola Koepping. On June 7, 1929, 20-year-old Viola died at the office of Dr. Albert West of Chicago, from an abortion evidently performed that day.
30. Ellen Matson. Dr. Lillian Hobbs was sentenced to 14 years in Joliet Prison for the 1917 abortion death of 29-year-old Ellen.
31. Lillian McCullough. In 1926, Dr. James P. A. Nolan was arrested for the criminal abortion death of 18-year-old Lillian McCullough.
32. Eunice McElroy. On November 14, 1928, 21-year-old Eunice died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion. Dr. Thomas J. Ney was indicted.
33. Faye McGinnis. On September 25, 1925, Faye, age 23, died at her home in Chicago from complications of an abortion performed that day. The coroner identified two physicians, Walter Penningdorf and Walter Voight, as being responsible.
34. Irene Michaelson. Dr. William H. Bricker Jr. was convicted for this Philadelphia woman's death in 1922.
35. Mary Moorehead. Mary, who died in 1926, was one of many victims of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz.
36. Lydia Nelson. In 1923, Lydia died at Chicago's Englewood Hospital from an abortion blamed on Dr. Charles Klinetop.
37. Elizabeth Palumbo. In 1929, 24-year-old Elizabeth died from a back alley abortion, evidently performed by Dr. Amante (or Amenti) Rongetti. A year later, he was implicated in the death of Loretta Enders.
38. Sophie Peterson. In 1926, 34-year-old Sophie Peterson died from an illegal abortion performed in the Chicago office of Dr. Frederick Springe.
39. Beulah Pickerill. On August 13, 1922, 21-year-old Beulah died at Chicago's Mid West Hospital from complications of a criminal abortion performed there that day. Two physicians, Vincent Filletti and Michale Galgano, were blamed for her death.
40. Nina Pierce. Nina, who died in 1925, was one of many women who died at the hands of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, in Chicago.
41. Daisy Singerland. In 1923, Daisy died at Chicago's Robert Burns Hospital from complications of a back alley abortion performed earlier that day.
42. Dorothy Schultz. Dorothy Schultz, 19 years of age, became pregnant in June of 1929. On June 15 or 16, Dorothy's mother brought her to Dr. W. B. Parke in Camp Douglas to arrange an abortion. He examined her and agreed to do an abortion for $150.
43. Arhne Reynolds. On the morning of April 5, 1927, Arhne died at the office of Dr. Louis Ginsburg from an abortion performed on her there that day.
    
44. Anna Mae Smith. In 1928, 20-year-old Anna Mae Smith underwent a fatal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. George F. Slater. Slater, upon learning of Anna Mae's death, committed suicide at his home by taking poison.
45. Catherine Stange. Denver city councilman Dr. Daniel R. Lucy was charged with murder in the 1922 abortion death of Catherine Stange.
46. Mary Strugnall. Mary Strugnall, age 17, died January 2, 1929 from an abortion performed that day by Dr. Joseph A. Harter.
47. Iva Triplett. On March 1, 1921, Dr. C.W. Milliken performed an abortion on Iva J. Triplett.
48. Lucille van Iderstine. On November 30, 1927, 22-year-old Lucille died in the Chicago office of Dr. Emil Gleitsman, from an abortion that had been performed on her that day.
    
49. Esther V. Wahlstrom. On December 1, 1928, 23-year-old Esther died in Chicago from complications of a criminal abortion. Dr. Lou E. Davis was held by the coroner for murder.
50. Dr. Davis was implicated in the deaths of Anna Borndal and Mary Whitney.
51. Willie Pearl Walker. In, 1926, Willie, an 18-year-old Black girl, died at her Chicago home from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day. A white doctor, Thomas J. New, was identified as responsible.
52.  Ruth Weir. On February 16, 1929, Mrs. Ruth Weir, of East Orange, New Jersey, died at Orange Memorial Hospital of sepsis contracted through a criminal abortion. Dr. Maurice Sturm was arrested when Ruth implicated him in a deathbed statement.
53. Elizabeth Welter. Elizabeth, who died in 1925, was one of many women who died at the hands of Dr. Lucy Hagenow, aka Louise Hagenow aka Ida von Schultz, in Chicago. .
54. Agnes Wendt. In 1923, Agnes died in a Chicago hospital from an abortion performed there that day.
55. Mary Whitney. On May 18, 1924, 26-year-old Mary Whitney died at St. Mary's Hospital of complications of an abortion performed at the Chicago office of Dr. Lou E. Davis in April. Dr. Davis was implicated in the death of Anna Borndal and Esther Wahlstrom a few years later.

1930-1939

1. Alberta Beard. On March 14, 1930, Alberta, age 29, died at the office of Dr. Davis Lucas from an abortion performed there that day.
2. Marie Epperson. The total number of deaths attributed to Oklahoma abortion doctors Thacker and Elsiminger was eight. Marie Epperson died in 1930. Other victims included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
3. Ethel Crowell. Ethel, age 20, died on April 14, 1930, in the office of Dr. Hans Paulsen, from an abortion performed on her that day.
4. Matilda Kleinschmidt. In 1930, 20-year-old Matilda died from a criminal abortion, which might have been performed in the office of Dr. J. Murney Nicholson. 
5. Evelyn Dellorto. In 1930, Evelyn, age 20, died from an illegal abortion believed to have been performed at the office of Dr. Frank Psota.
6. Isobel Ferguson. On April 14, 1932, Mrs. Isobel F. Ferguson died of suspected abortion complications. Two physicians in the University of Oklahoma area, J. W. Elsiminger and Richard E. Thacker, were suspected in the case. Other victims included Marie Epperson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.  
7. Virginia Wyckoff. J.W. Elsiminger was an osteopath in Oklahoma City. He alone was the suspect in the abortion death of Virginia Lee Wyckoff, a 21-year-old student at the University of Oklahmoa. Virginia died April 24, 1932.
8. Mrs. Frank Lee. On April 25, 1932, a young woman died of abortion complications -- 17-year-old Mrs. Frank Lee, a University of Oklahoma co-ed. Richard E. Thacker, a surgeon, was charged with the death.
9. Ruth Hall. April 15, 1932, Ruth Hall died of suspected abortion complications. Oklahoma City abortion doctors Elsiminger and Thacker were suspects.
10. Annette Camorato. In May of 1934, 19-year-old actress Annette Camorato, stage name Toni Morgan, died of abortion complications. Dr. Harry A. Felice was charged with homicide in Annette's death.
11. Loretta Wilson. On Christmas day of 1934, the nude body of a young woman was found in a thicket near a highway south of New York City. She was identified as 19-year-old Loretta Wilson. Dr. John H. Becker Jr., who admitted to having examined Loretta on December 17, was charged with homicide in the death.
12. Edith Eschrich. On December 31, 1935, criminal abortion charges were dropped against Dr. Tobias Ginsberg, and his nurse, because of insufficient evidence. The two were suspects in the death of 24-year-old Mrs. Edith Eschrich.
13. Doris Jones. Small-town doctor and philanthropist Guy Brewer was fingered in the 1935 abortion death of this 30-year old wife of a grocery clerk.
14. Rose Lipner. Rose died at Riverdale (maternity) Hospital on January 29, 1936. Dr. Maxwell C. Katz, who both operated and lived at Riverdale, signed a death certificate. After the funeral, an anonymous caller notified the police that Rose's death was suspicious.
15. Katherine DiDonato. On October 16, 1936, 26-year-old Katherine DiDonato, mother of two, was admitted to Roosevelt Hospital to be treated for complications of a criminal abortion. Detectives were told that Katherine had bought pills from drug clerk Hyman Kantor, who had then recommended Dr. Aloysius Mulholland to perform an abortion.
16. Eleanor Haynes. Eleanor Haynes, age 22, died at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey on October 6, 1937, after indicating that Dr. P. Ralph McFeely had performed an abortion on her.
17. Doris Alexander. In 1938, 30-year-old Doris died from a criminal abortion in Oklahoma. John Dillinger's doctor was charged in her death.
18. Alice Corbett. On October 18, 1939, Miss Alice Corbett, age 28, of Brooklyn, New York, died from complications of an illegal abortion. Dr. Allen F. Murphy was sentenced to 2-10 years in Sing-Sing for Alice's death. 
19. Jeanette Reder. On December 1, 1930, 22-year-old Jeanette underwent a criminal abortion at the Chicago office of Dr. Emil Gleitsman. 
20. "Eudora" Roe. This 17-year-old girl lingered for nearly two months before finally dying of complications of an abortion performed in Wichita, Kansas in 1930.
    
21. Mrs. F.S. Roach. On April 24, 1932, Mrs. F. S. Roach died of suspected abortion complications. Oklahoma abortion doctors Elsiminger and Thacker were suspected in the case. Other victims included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Marie Epperson, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Robbie Lou Thompson.
22. Jane Roe of '37. On December 23, 1941, Dr. Samuel Roth was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the illegal abortion death of a woman. Roth, whose license was suspended at the time, performed the abortion in his office on January 16, 1937.
23. Jane Roe of Newark. Dr. Charles I. Gordon pleaded guilty in the 1937 abortion death of a Newark woman.
24. "Nina" Roe. In February of 1933, a 22-year-old unmarried store clerk discovered that she was pregnant. On April 8, Nina went to a nursing home operated by a nurse to ask about an abortion. The nurse informed the woman and her lover that Dr. E. T. Martin or another doctor would be able to perform an abortion.
    
25. Robbie Lou Thompson. In 1932, Richard E. Thacker, a surgeon, was charged with murder in the abortion death of Robbie Lou Thompson. Other deaths attributed to Thacker included Isobel Ferguson, Ruth Hall, Virginia Lee Wyckoff, Mrs. F.S. Roach, Mrs. Frank Lee, and Marie Epperson. [Let's have a little hearsay!]

1940-1949: some antibiotics

1. Mary Ann Page. Dr. C. E. Trovillion was blamed for the 1940 death of 20-year-old Mary Ann Page of Alton, Illinois.
2. Harriet Lichtenberg. On October 18, 1942, 23-year-old Harriet Lichtenberg of Brooklyn died in Royal Hospital, the Bronx, from suspected criminal abortion complications. Dr. Henry Katz was indicted for first degree manslaughter in Harriet's death.
3. Cleo Moore. On March 28, 1942, 19-year-old Cleo Florence Moore died at New Rochelle Hospital in New York from peritonitis from an illegal abortion. Upon admission, Cleo told authorities that she had taken some pills to induce the abortion, but before her death she changed her story and said that Dr. Frank F. Marino had performed the fatal abortion.
4. Amelia Cardito. On February 14, 1944, Amelia Cardito, 34-year-old mother of 4, underwent an illegal abortion at the office of Dr. Anthony Renda.
5. Beatrice Fisher. In 1945, Beatrice died after an abortion performed in his office by Dr. Frank C. Hart in Seattle.
6. Jane Ward. On October 17, 1947, Dr. Paul Singer reported that he had taken 22-year-old Jane Ward, heir to the Drake Bakeries fortune, to Park East Hospital, to complete an illegal abortion somebody else had done. Jane died on October 28. Singer was convicted of manslaughter in Jane's death. [This only makes it harder for women to get treatment for complications of illegal abortions. Something like this is happening in Nicaragua, now.]
7. Madeline McGeehan. On November 18, 1942, 26-year-old Madeline McGeehan died at Prospect Hospital in New York after an illegal abortion. Arrested were Dr. Joseph Nisonoff; his nurse, Camille Ewald; his receptionist, Pearl Tense; and Dr. Max J. Weinstein, who was thought to have referred Madeline to Nisonoff.
8. Agnes Pearson. In late July of 1941, Mrs. Agnes Pearson of White Plains, New York died at Grasslands Hospital in New York of suspected complications from an abortion. Dr. Nathan Schwartz and Dr. Samuel Schwartz (not related) were charged with manslaughter in Agnes' death.
9. Doris Becker. On December 5, 1948, Dr. Cyril B. Babb pleaded guilty to performing a fatal abortion on Doris Becker the previous Wednesday in his office.
10. Roberta Danks. February 17, 1949. Roberta's abortionist battered and dumped her body to try to make it seem she'd been a hit-and-run victim.

1950-1959: after antibiotics

1. Joyce Chorney. Joyce Chorney, age 25, died Wednesday, November 18, 1953. Fifty-four-year-old Dr. Alfred Joseph was charged with criminal abortion in her death.
2. Gertrude Pinsky. Operating on a tip, police, accompanied by an ambulance, broke into a private home in the Bronx, on April 4, 1954. There they found Gertrude dead from septic poisoning from an illegal abortion. Police arrested Florence Cavalluzzo, a resident of the home, and Hugo Francese, an unlicensed physician.
3. Mary Davies. On Saturday, December 8, 1956, 26-year-old Mary Davies of New York City arrived in the Ashland, Pennsylvania office of abortionist Dr. Robert Douglas Spencer. She was seeking an abortion.

1960-1969 

1. Vivian Grant. On January 21, 1961, Dr. Mandel M. Friedman contacted a Queens undertaker, asking him to arrange burial for 23-year-old Vivian Grant of New York. Nearly a year later, Friedman was implicated in the death of Barbara Covington.
2. Jolene Griffith. On March 3, 1962, Dr. J. Bryan Henrie, an osteopath, performed an abortion on Jolene Joyce Griffith at his clinic in Grove, Oklahoma.
3. Barbara Covington. Dr. Mandel M. Friedman was charged with homicide in the September 11, 1962 death of Barbara C. Covington, age 35, a Florida socialite. Nearly a year earlier, he had been implicated in the death of Vivian Grant.
4. Barbara Lofrumento. Barbara, a 19-year-old college student, told her parents that she was pregnant in 1962. Mr. and Mrs. Lofrumento arranged for an abortion by Dr. Harvey Lothringer. 
5. "Sophia" Roe. Patricia G. Miller's book, The Worst of Times: Illegal Abortion: Survivors, Practitioners, Coroners, Cops and Children of Women Who Died Talk About Its Horrors, tells of an unnamed young woman I call "Sophia", who went to Pennsylvania to have a back alley abortion performed by Dr. Benjamin King in 1967. 
6. Nancy Ward. In February of 1968, Nancy Ward flew from Oklahoma to Kansas city with her boyfriend for an abortion Nancy's father had arranged. Nancy and her boyfriend visited Dr. Richard Mucie.
7. Catherine Barnard. Dr. Virgil Jobe of Oklahoma was charged in the 1969 abortion death of Catherine Barnard of Arvada, Colorado.

Look what happens when modern medicine improves and abortion becomes legal! The abortions trickle off in the 50s and 60s.

No year

1. Emma Post. Emma's seducer kept her in brothels while arranging the abortion that took her life.
2. Ruth Lemaire. Ruth implicated Dr. Lillian Hobbs in a deathbed statement.
3. Bessie Kouns. Bessie implicated Dr. H.C. Dorroh in her deathbed statement.
4. Elvira Woodward. Dr. Charles P. Wood admitted that Elvira Woodward had come to his house in Manchester, New Hampshire, on April 1 and remained there until her death on April 27. Wood was convicted of performing her fatal abortion.
5. Caroline Malinken. Caroline died of an abortion done in her home by a Dr. Joecken. 
6. Mary Sudik. On February 12, Mrs. Mary Sudik died of infection from an abortion performed two days earlier by Dr. A.B.C. Davis of Oklahoma City.
7. Georgia Marie McGill. . Dr. W. R. Mitchell, already a reputed abortionist, was fingered by Marie's father. [CHECK]
8. Gene Raligh. Sometime in the early part of the 20th century, physician and surgeon H. W. Coulter performed an abortion upon Gene Raligh, leading to her death from septicemia.
9. Mrs. George Swope. Dr. Smith was arrested, but insisted that Dr. Bottorf had performed the fatal abortion on this coal miner's wife.
10. Harriet Reece. Hattie hadn't wanted a baby to hinder her teaching career, so she sought an abortion from Dr. John Aiken over the protests of her husband.

Illegal abortions kill: Part 1

Illegal abortions kill people. That's why we need contraception, sex education, and legal abortions done early in a hospital with antibiotics and all emergency equipment at hand. Nevertheless, anti-choice groups have lovingly collected tales of the Danger of Abortions, in an attempt to compare oranges to apples.

These stories are about abortions done by nurses and paramedics or midwives--somewhat trained people who are not doctors. Some aren't even trained--we have here a police officer and a morgue attendant as well.

The deaths occurred between 1899 and 1977 but most were in the first half of the 20th Century--before antibiotics. None of them were done in sterile conditions in hospitals or clinics.

These stories are reminders of what it is like today in countries with little medical care for pregnant women.

Illegal Abortions Done by People with Training

Most illegal abortions were done by physicians. (See Illegal abortion kills, Part 2.) A distant but important second category of illegal abortionists was the paramedical person: somebody with training, and sometimes even equipment, medications, and physician backup. Here are some of the women who died at the hands of these practitioners, both before and after legalization.

• Annie Allison. On September 29, 1923, 44-year-old Annie Allison of Brooklyn died at the office of chiropractor Henry Lee Mottard, who practiced under the name of Dr. Henry L. Green.
• Louise Allman. On January 29, 1929, Louise, age 25, underwent an abortion at the home of Amelia K. Jaruez, a midwife.
• Martha Anderson. On May 5, 1939, 16-year-old Martha died from an abortion performed in a San Diego chiropractic clinic.
• Sarah Bonda. In 1900, Sarah died at her home as a result of a criminal abortion. A midwife arrested in connection with the abortion committed suicide when police came to arrest her.
• Mary Borglun. In 1900, Mary died in her home from complications of an abortion. Mary Kempfer, whose profession was nurse or midwife, was arrested that same day and held without bail by a Coroner's Jury.
• Martha Byzynski. On August 11, 1923, 26-year-old Martha died at Chicago's St. Mary's Hospital from an abortion performed that day. The coroner named Jane Worchowski, a nurse or midwife, as the person responsible.
• Naomi Congdon. Maternity nurse Lena Smith tried to blame this young wife's death on an ingrown toenail.
• Agnes Crowe. On February 16, 1925, 28-year-old Agnes died in Chicago's West Side Hospital from a criminal abortion performed that day. A midwife was implicated.
• Ilene Eagen. On March 21, 1947, Ilene was brought to Mankato, Minnesota, to the dental office of W. A. Groebner for an abortion.
• Anna Fazio. Anna Fazio, age 20, underwent an illegal abortion performed about February 2, 1929, at the Chicago home of midwife Marie Zwienczak.
• Margie Fraser. Margie was 18 when she died at the hands of surgical nurse Gertrude Pitkanen in Butte, Montana.
• Sophia Hartozinski. On December 18, 1923, Sophia died at Chicago's County Hospital due to a criminal abortion performed there that day. The coroner identified midwife Mary Roback as having been responsible.
• Angerita Hargarten. On February 20, 1927, 23-year-old Angerita died in her home from an abortion performed there that day. Midwives Anna Trezek and Frances Raz were held by the coroner.
• Sophia Herman. In late 1903, Sophia was taken to Norwegian Hospital. She died from an abortion. Midwife Harla Faustman was arrested.
• Lillian Hulbert. On October 25, 1922, Lillian died at Chicago's St. Anne's Hospital from complications of a criminal abortion performed on her there that day. The coroner identified a Mrs. M.C. Anderson as responsible.
• Louise Huse. On June 12, 1922, Mrs. Louise Huse, age 30, died at Chicago's Mid West Hospital from a criminal abortion performed there that day and blamed on midwife Agnes Tholl.
• Grace Iorio. On June 7, 1930, 27-year-old Grace died from an illegal abortion performed in the Chicago home of midwife Stepina Pazkiewicz.
• Rosie Jimenez. On September 26, 1977, 27-year-old Rosie Jimenez showed up at the emergency room of McAllen General Hospital in the Texas border town of McAllen, with septic shock. Rosie's cousin had brought her to a lay midwife in McAllen, who charged $120 to insert a catheter into Rosie's uterus.
• Hilja Johnson. This 37-year-old woman died from complications of an abortion attributed to surgical nurse Gertrude Pitkanen.
• Joyce Johnson. Joyce met Harvey Karman in a motel room on April 6, 1955. Karman, using a speculum, inserted a nutcracker into Joyce in order to perform an abortion. I count this as a paramedical abortion rather than an amateur because Harvey was accepted as a doctor among other abortionists, to the point where he was even invited to work in an abortion hospital, training other abortionists.
• Mrs. Andre Jorgenson. 1900, Mrs. Jorgenson died on the scene from an illegal abortion. Anna Pihlgren, whose occupation is listed as nurse or midwife, was arrested and held by the Coroner's Jury.
• Mary Kakacek. On September 23, 1899, Mary died in her Chicago home from complications of an abortion performed that day by midwife Annie Stonek.
• Anna Kick. On November 20, 1925, 29-year-old Anna Kick died in Chicago's Washington Park Hospital from an abortion performed that day at an undisclosed location.
• Alice Kimberly. On February 10, 1957, veterinarian Ira Ledbetter performed an abortion on Alice Kimberly.
• Helen Koss. In 1923, Helen Koss underwent an illegal abortion somewhere in Chicago. On January 6, 1924, she died at Norwegian American Hospital of complications. Midwife Emma Morch was arrested.
• Martha Kohnke. On September 24, 1927, 35-year-old Martha died in Chicago from a criminal abortion performed that day. Nurse Emma Schultz was held by the coroner.
• Jennie Kuba. On June 20, 1929, 28-year-old Jennie died at Chicago hospital from an abortion performed there that day by midwife Mary Zwieniczak.
• Stefania Kwit. On April 3, 1928, 30-year-old Stafania died from complications of a criminal abortion performed that day by midwife Pauline Majerczyk.
• Betty Ladel. Sylvia Redman, who had a license to practice naturopathy, signed a written confession on October 20, 1954 regarding the death of Betty Ladel.
• Asunta La Rosa. On May 5, 1938, Mrs. Genevieve Horton, a practical nurse, pleaded guilty in an abortion case in Westchester County, New York. After being released, Horton performed an abortion on 29-year-old Mrs. Asunta La Rosa.
• Emily LeBinney. Emily's cousin arranged for a midwife to do her abortion. When her baby was born alive, it was tossed in the river.
• Louise Maday. On March 27, 1926, 24-year-old Louise died at Chicago's West End Hospital from complications of an abortion performed that day. Midwife Amelia Becker was held by the coroner.
• Jennie Mallard. On January 16, 1901, Jennie Mallard died at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Chicago from an abortion performed there that day by Margaret Simmons, a nurse or midwife.
• Veronica Maslanka. On June 19, 1922, 26-year-old Veronica died in her Chicago home from complications of an abortion performed there that day. The coroner identified midwife Mary Pesova as the person responsible.
• Catherine Mau. In 1929, 30-year-old Catherine died from an abortion at the hands of Chicago midwife Anna Heisler.
• Violet Morse. This 23-year-old teacher died from complications of an abortion attributed to surgical nurse Gertrude Pitkanen.
• Emily Mueller. In 1926, fifteen-year-old Emily died from a criminal abortion performed somewhere in Chicago. Midwife Magdelane Stegeman, alias Motzny, was identified as the perpetrator.
• Emily Nohavec. Emma Bickel, a 59-year-old midwife, was charged with second-degree manslaugher in the death of 19-year-old Emily Nohavec in 1913.
• Mary Paradowski. In 1926, 23-year-old Mary died in Chicago from a criminal abortion attributed to midwife Josephine Petrova.
• "Chloe" Roe. Dentist Milton Grissom not only performed the fatal abortion on this young woman, but he also took her ring.
• "Rosa" Roe. The CDC's 1976 Abortion Surveillance Summary presents the case of a woman I'll call "Rosa." Rosa was married, 29 years old, with two living children. According to her family, she had previously undergone an illegal abortion in Mexico in 1968.
• Mary Sayers. On May 1, 1925, 26-year-old Mary died at a Chicago residence from a criminal abortion performed on her that day. Midwife Edna Marie Dietrich was arrested.
• Gladys Schaffer. On February 17, 1929, 23-year-old Gladys died after from a criminal abortion performed in Chicago. She died on the spot, in the home of midwife Emma Schulz.
• Rita Shea. Queens patrolman Howard Bailey, morgue attendant Victor Genz, and a Texas medical student, Benjamin Lockhart, were arrested in the December 4, 1965 abortion death of Rita Shea.
• Ozelia Skains. Azelia's death was blamed on chiropractor John Gobischel.
• Jacqueline Smith. In December of 1955, Jackie Smith's boyfriend arranged for a scrub nurse, Leobaldo Pejuan, to perform an abortion at Daniels' apartment on Christmas Eve. After performing the abortion, Pejuan became alarmed at Jackie's condition, and summoned Dr. Ramiro Morales, who told him that Jackie was dead.
• Lucille Smith. On March 6, 1928, Lucille, a 23-year-old store clerk, died at Chicago's Burrows Hospital from complications of an abortion performed that day at the office of midwife Emma Schulz.
• Mrs. Morris Swanson. On July 11, 1904, Mrs. Swanson died at her home from an abortion performed there that day. Midwife Constance Marie Anderson was arrested.
• Katarzyna Tobiasz. On August 29, 1925, Katarzyna died at Chicago's St. Mary's Hospital from an abortion performed on her there that day. A woman identified as a nurse or midwife was arrested.
• Merl Williams. Midwife Cordelia Moore was blamed for the 1937 abortion death of Merl Williams of Watonga, Oklahoma.

Dr. George Tiller has been murdered

Dr. George Tiller, one of three doctors in the U.S. who would do the heartbreaking task of aborting late-term fetuses when they were non-viable or threatened the life of a pregnant woman, has been shot down in church by a Christian terrorist. A man is in custody.

The New York Times notes that threats and other incidents of violence, including wounding, led up to this crime.

"In 1993, Rachelle Shannon, from rural Oregon, shot Dr. Tiller in both arms. Two years earlier, during Operation Rescue’s “Summer of Mercy” protests, thousands of anti-abortion protesters tried to block off the clinic, the site of a bombing in 1986.

"Friends of Dr. Tiller also described regular incidents of vandalism at the clinic, and a barrage of threats to him and his family — threats they say had concerned him deeply for years.

"Family members, including 4 children and 10 grandchildren, issued a statement through Dr. Tiller’s lawyer, which read in part: “George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality health care despite frequent threats and violence. We ask that he be remembered as a good husband, father and grandfather and a dedicated servant on behalf of the rights of women everywhere.”"

Twenty years of legal abortion

In January, 2008, Canada's laws restricting abortion were struck down. Abortion became a matter between a woman and her doctor, constrained only by the Canada Health Act. That doesn't mean that women can get an abortion at any time; while it's not illegal, doctors will not do a late abortion except for sound medical reasons. In fact, it can be hard to get an abortion after ten weeks, which is really eight weeks, since official pregnancy starts on the first day of the last period. So by the time a woman realizes she's pregnant, it is getting a little late for her to arrange for an abortion.

Civilization did not fall. Abortion became safer because with fewer hoops to jump through, it's on the average earlier. One notable statistic is that the crime rate took a sudden dip a few years ago. That's not surprising. One of the rare controlled studies showed that women who wanted abortions and didn't get them raised children who were more likely to turn to crime.

Here's the story: "Both sides of the debate mark 20 years of legal abortion."

On Jan. 28, 1988, Chief Justice Brian Dickson ruled that a Canadian law severely restricting access to medical abortions was unconstitutional because it violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms....

Louise Harbour, who is a member of the anti-abortion group Action Life Ottawa, said people's perspective on unplanned pregnancy has changed in the years since the law was struck down.

"It's as if it's almost expected that …you will choose an abortion if you find yourself pregnant," she said.

[One student], a member of Canadian Youth for Choice, said abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion groups do share some common ground, and the next step in the ongoing debate over abortion rights is for the two sides to work together.

When the two sides meet, she said, they both talk about preventing unintended pregnancies.

"And so what can we do to work together in order to prevent it?" she said. "Really, at the end of the day, we want women to be making healthy choices for themselves and however they define that."

Amnesty International condemns Nicaragua's ban on abortions

Amnesty International has asked member nations of the U.N. to condemn Nicaragua's ban on abortions, which is killing women.

UN member states should urge Nicaragua to repeal its ban on abortion following a human rights' review of the country on 8 February, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

During the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review, UN members will have the opportunity to raise questions about the country's absolute ban on abortion.

Nicaragua's revised Penal Code, which came into effect in July 2008, stipulates prison sentences for girls and women who seek an abortion and for health professionals who provide health services associated with abortion. The prohibition includes cases where the life of the woman is at risk or when pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

"Nicaragua's ban on abortion is the result of a shocking and draconian law that is compelling rape and incest victims to carry pregnancies to term and causing a rise in maternal deaths," said Widney Brown, Senior Director of International Law and Policy at Amnesty International. "UN member states should take this opportunity to hold Nicaragua to account for a law that violates women's right to life, health and dignity."

The organization also reiterated its call on the Nicaraguan authorities to decriminalize abortion in all circumstances. Amnesty International said Nicaragua should ensure that women and girls have access to safe and legal abortion services when an unwanted pregnancy is a result of rape or incest or when it threatens the woman's health or life.

The revised Penal Code introduces criminal sanctions for doctors and nurses who treat a pregnant woman for medical conditions such as cancer or cardiac emergencies where the treatment may cause injury to or death of the embryo or foetus.

Nicaragua's Penal Code is in conflict with the country's Obstetric Rules and Protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. The protocol mandates therapeutic abortions as clinical responses to specific cases.

Amnesty International's researchers have found that in Nicaragua the absolute ban on abortions particularly affects young girls who are victims of rape or incest.

According to a survey of media reports between 2005 and 2007; 1,247 girls were reported in newspapers to have been raped or to have been the victims of incest in Nicaragua. Of these crimes, 198 were reported to have resulted in pregnancy. The overwhelming majority of them (172 of the 198) were between 10 and 14 years old.

The organization also found an increase in maternal deaths since the introduction of the ban.

In the first 19 weeks of 2009, some 16 per cent of all maternal deaths were as a consequence of unsafe abortion compared to none in the same period in 2008.

Four UN expert committees established by treaties, the Committee against Torture, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women have already condemned this law and urged its revision, but the Nicaraguan government continues to ignore these calls.

"Nicaragua's law criminalizing abortion goes against the advice of four UN treaty bodies and fails to meet its obligations under international human rights laws," said Widney Brown. "Nicaragua needs to repeal this law immediately and enact laws and policies that promote the rights of women and girls by ensuring their rights to health, life and to be free from violence, coercion and discrimination."

Nicaragua's ban on abortion is a cause of grave concern in the wider international community. Tens of thousands of Amnesty International activists appalled at the impact of the ban on women's and girl's human rights, have signed petitions and contacted the Nicaraguan authorities to call for the repeal of the law.

The Universal Periodic Review is an opportunity for the UN Human Rights Council to examine the human rights record of all member states. Each country is reviewed every four years with the aim of ensuring states are meeting all of their human rights obligations.

This work is part of Amnesty International’s Demand Dignity campaign which aims to end the human rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. The campaign will mobilize people all over the world to demand that governments, corporations and others who have power listen to the voices of those living in poverty and recognize and protect their rights. For more information visit the Demand Dignity section.