Portland journalist Rebecca Grant is set to release her highly anticipated book, ‘Access: Inside the Abortion Underground and the Sixty-Year Battle for Reproductive Freedom,’ on July 1.
The book is a culmination of a decade of reporting, examining the evolution of reproductive rights from a rights-based framework to an access-based one.
Grant began her career as a freelancer in 2014 when editors were doubtful about the viability of reproductive health as a journalistic beat.
However, the landscape shifted dramatically during the 2016 election, leading to a surge of public interest in abortion issues.
By then, Grant had emerged as a prominent voice in the field, contributing to renowned publications such as The Nation, Cosmopolitan, and The Guardian, as well as appearing on This American Life.
The book sets the stage in 1965, a time before the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, and extends to 2025, post-Dobbs.
In her narrative, Grant delves into the various activist movements that have played pivotal roles in providing emotional and medical support for safe and accessible abortions.
She highlights the remarkable stories of groups like the Jane Collective, active in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the 2015 social media campaign, Shout Your Abortion.
Throughout these narratives, Grant showcases the power of community in times of fear and turmoil.
A significant focus of the book is on Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, a Dutch physician and founder of Women on Waves, which offers nonsurgical abortion services and education in international waters near countries with restrictive abortion laws.
Grant attributes great admiration to Dr. Gomperts for her ‘bad-assery and defiance’ in challenging oppressive systems.
Access also explores initiatives like Women on Web, providing online access to abortion pills and contraceptives, and Aid Access, recognized as the first organization to offer telemedicine abortion care in the United States.
In her reporting, Grant emphasizes the importance of sharing abortion resources while balancing the need to protect the anonymity and privacy of both providers and seekers.
For ‘Access,’ she collaborated with legal experts to ensure her sources were shielded from potential repercussions, particularly in the current judicial environment.
At the conclusion of the book, Grant includes a comprehensive list of organizations that offer medical, legal, and emotional support, alongside protocols for medication abortion.
She underscores the increasing urgency of disseminating this information amid rising digital censorship efforts.
In conjunction with the book’s launch, Grant aims to partner with reproductive rights organizations such as Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette and the Northwest Abortion Access Fund at her events.
She believes that having people share physical information at these gatherings can significantly enhance the outreach efforts and community support surrounding abortion rights.
Reflecting on her connection to Portland, Grant recognizes how the state serves as a regional refuge for those seeking reproductive health care, especially from neighboring Idaho, known for its restrictive policies.
“Oregon feels like a crucial place for this dialogue,” she remarks, appreciating the local support for her work.
Grant expresses her gratitude for being in an environment where discussing abortion openly is met with enthusiasm.
As she prepares for her book release, she acknowledges the crucial role that Portland has played in shaping her narrative.
Through ‘Access,’ Grant not only chronicles the history of abortion rights but also fuels a continued conversation about reproductive freedom in America.
Her book is poised to inspire readers and spark dialogue on one of the most pressing issues of our time.
image source from：wweek
