1980s
Consolidation of Activist Organizations
The 1980s came with the consolidation and organization of reproductive health and advocacy groups. Organizations like the Michigan Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (MARAL), the Michigan Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights (MRCAR), and Planned Parenthood of Michigan were active especially in the political realm, contesting and organization direct action in response to various legislative threats to reproductive freedom and abortion access.
Michigan Abortion and Reproduct Rights Action League
MARAL, the state chapter of NARAL, the National Abortion and Reproductive Reproductive Rights Action League was established in 1979. The organization was especially active in the political realm, working to promote a broad range of initiatives and policies to support reproductive health for all Michigan residents (see "Michigan Abortion Rights Action League" document, below). Specifically, in addition to working to protect the constitutional right to abortion, MARAL also supported equitable access to sexual education, contraceptives, ante- and post-natal care, and childcare.
The Michigan Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights
The Michigan chapter of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, founded in 1973 was also politically active during the decade, with its national organization still active today as the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) ("History" n.d.). The Michigan RCAR (and its current iteration as the RCRC) was a interfaith organization, with members and representatives from several Christian denominations, Jewish communities, and Muslim sects that share a commitment to protecting reproductive freedom ("History" n.d.). In addition to organizing community gatherings, fundraisers, and other events, as the documents below illustrate, the organization was also active in contesting attacks on reproductive freedoms in the 1980s. For instance, during the 1988 election, when Proposal A, a ballot initiative that would forbid those receiving public assistance from using public dollars to receive an abortion ("Michigan Proposal A" n.d.), was put forth, the Michigan RCAR worked to increase public awareness of the implications of the measure and stop its passage.
Planned Parenthood of Michigan
While the history of Planned Parenthood in Michigan is long, stretching back to 1922 ("Our History" n.d.), the 1980s saw a shift in the organization's practices and political commitments, especially in the face of increasing attacks against Planned Parenthood clinics and providers, as the below documents illustrate. While the organization had long been focused on providing reproductive health care to residents across the state, archival documents illustrate that it wasn't until the late 1980s that the organization began concentrated political efforts to protect these rights against political and legislative threats. This ultimately led to the establishment of PPAM as the "advocacy arm" of the organization in the 1990s ("About Us" n.d.)
