LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision is an answered prayer for those who have fought to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Addia Wuchner, executive director of Kentucky Right to Life, was at a national right to life convention when the Supreme Court’s vote to overturn Roe v. Wade came in.
“An announcement was made, and there was a moment of stunned silence or just a second,” said Wuchner.
What You Need To Know
- The Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade
- The leader of Kentucky’s largest right-to-life organization shares her response
- She said the decision to overturn Roe V. Wade has been prayed for for 50 years
- She believes this is just the beginning to make sure the decision is never undone
The silence was followed by tears and rejoicing, she said.
“This is the greatest human rights battle we've been in since we had the battle for equality. This is another battle for equality based on the smallest and the most vulnerable in our midst,” said Wuchner.
It’s a day, she said, to start reclaiming what the nearly 50-year-old ruling took from families and rebuilding the populations most impacted by it.
She said it's vital to continue to provide programs, resources, and support to women—especially those with unwanted pregnancies.
“It's being there first to listen to hear where she is and to walk that path with her and help to her through that decision-making process,” Wuchner said.
She said it'll take advocacy and compassion to make sure they understand that a baby is not a barrier.
“This is not the end of your opportunity, end of job success," Wuchner added. "Family, future, education, all those opportunities are there if you choose to parent but there's also the opportunity if you choose adoption may be the best if you want something more for your child that you don't believe that you can give them right now."
Educating women about abortion is another essential step for Wuchner.
“Young women today have lived with the understanding that abortion is legal, so it must be OK and so for many," Wuchner said, calling that idea a lie and "distortion of truth."
Wuchner believes these things will eliminate the threat of women resorting to unsafe measures to end a pregnancy.
“I don't think we're going to see back-alley abortions,” says Wuchner. “I know they put out that threat but I do think there will be physicians who will perhaps practice outside of the law in those positions, not women. I do not believe in the criminalization of women.”
Wuchners says the decision is just the start and that there is a lot of work to be done to ensure the decision is not undone.
She says that starts with voters. This November, Kentuckians can vote for or against the no right to abortion in the constitution amendment.