Simply put, it will have a far reaching and devastating impact on equity and the wellbeing of women and families in underserved communities and those living with economic instability.
The news that the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade, and removing a half century of constitutional protection allowing women to obtain an abortion, did not come as a surprise. After all, some states had already imposed significant restrictions. And yet, it was still a shock.
What we do know is this: the ruling will have an especially devastating impact on women living in underserved communities and women living with economic instability. Indeed, 75 percent of women who seek abortions have low incomes; 67 percent are women of color; and nearly 60 percent already have children they are trying to support.
These are the very women who LISC and so many other community development organizations have been working with, side-by-side, for decades—helping create housing, child care and health opportunities for their communities, helping them train for and obtain good, family-sustaining jobs, and helping them launch and grow small businesses so they can build wealth for the future. They are at the core of our mission to build resilient communities.
They are leaders and advocates, workers and students, mothers and daughters. And their struggles just got much harder.
While this ruling impacts the healthcare autonomy for many American women, those with means will still likely have options if they need them. Those who do not will be at significantly greater risk than they were a week ago.
For example, women denied an abortion are three times more likely to be unemployed than women who were able to end an unwanted pregnancy. They are more likely to experience economic hardship and insecurity that could last a lifetime.
There are also severe health implications. Abortions are one of the prime causes of maternal death in countries where they are illegal. Studies show that women who are unable to obtain an abortion fared worse in physical and mental health. The lack of access to the full range of reproductive health care will imperil the health of low income and women of color exponentially.
Put simply, women living in or near poverty will bear the devastating brunt of this ruling. The resulting impact on their children and others who depend on them will only widen our country’s health, wealth and opportunity gaps.
For LISC, Friday’s decision has deepened our resolve to address these gaps. We will creatively invest to protect the wellbeing of women, families and communities. We will work closely with our local partners to respond to concerns about health and equity.
Women have the right to build the futures that they choose. LISC will continue to support those aspirations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa L. Glover, CEO
Lisa L. Glover has served as LISC’s CEO since February 2021. She has been a member of the LISC National Board of Directors since 2010 and chair of its Audit Committee since 2012. An active community leader, she previously served as the Chair of LISC Milwaukee’s Local Advisory Committee. Lisa is a former Executive Vice President at U.S. Bank, retiring in March, 2020 after a 33 year career that included leadership roles in Community Affairs, risk management, and process improvement. Lisa holds a BBA in Corporate Finance from Iowa State University and a Master of Library and Information Science from University of Wisconsin.
Connect on LinkedIn