Amanda Zurawski Won’t Give Up the Fight for Reproductive Rights—Neither Should We
A Personal Tragedy Turned into a Nationwide Movement for Reproductive Justice." Let me know if you’d like any changes or further refinements!
Amanda Zurawski never set out to be an activist. She was just a woman who wanted to start a family. But in 2022, after years of trying to conceive, her life changed in a way she never could have imagined. At four months pregnant, she faced a devastating medical crisis—one that would thrust her into the national spotlight as a powerful advocate for reproductive rights.
Her pregnancy took a dire turn when she dilated too early. At just 18 weeks, her water broke, putting her pregnancy in severe distress. Doctors told her, with complete certainty, that she would lose the baby. In another state, or at another time, Zurawski would have received immediate medical intervention—an abortion, a standard procedure in such medical emergencies. This care would have allowed her to heal and retain the possibility of future pregnancies. But she wasn’t in another state or another time. She was in Texas in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Her water broke the same week Texas’ trigger law banning abortion in almost all circumstances went into effect.
Because her fetus still had a heartbeat, doctors were unable to treat her miscarriage. "I had to wait until the baby died inside me or for me to be on death’s door before I could get care,” she recalled. What followed was a nightmare: she developed sepsis, a life-threatening infection, and was hospitalized for a week. By the time she received the care she needed, the damage had already been done. "Now my reproductive organs are permanently compromised," she said. The very system meant to protect her life had failed her, and in the process, it had robbed her of the ability to have the family she had long dreamed of.
When Zurawski shared her story publicly, it struck a chord with women across the country. She became the lead plaintiff in the Center for Reproductive Rights’ lawsuit challenging Texas’ abortion ban. That lawsuit, Zurawski v. Texas, ignited a firestorm of discussion and mobilization. Her name became synonymous with the fight for reproductive justice, her story serving as one of the starkest examples of the life-threatening consequences of abortion bans.
But the fight would not be easy. In May 2024, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the ban, a decision that Zurawski described as “a slap in the face.” It wasn’t just a legal ruling—it was a message. “It felt like they were trying to take away our voices, erase us from history, and silence us,” she said. But silence was never an option for her.
Determined to ensure no other woman would endure what she had, Zurawski took her fight to the political arena. Over the course of 2024, she traveled across the country, making dozens of campaign appearances for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She warned voters about the dangers a second Trump presidency could pose to reproductive rights, sharing her personal experience as a stark example of the real-life consequences of restrictive abortion laws.
Despite her tireless efforts, the election did not go the way she had hoped. The loss of Harris was a gut-wrenching blow. But Zurawski refused to let despair take over. “The anti-choice movement would want us to be tired, they’d want us to rest,” she said. “But it’s not in my nature to give up. It can get worse, and it will, if we don’t continue to fight.”
Her words serve as a rallying cry. Zurawski’s fight is far from over, and neither is ours. The struggle for reproductive justice demands persistence, resilience, and unwavering determination. The future of reproductive rights in America is uncertain, but one thing is clear: as long as people like Amanda Zurawski continue to stand up, the fight is far from lost.
Amanda Zurawski’s experience is not an isolated one. Across the United States, countless women are facing similar medical crises in states where abortion bans and restrictions have created dangerous healthcare gaps. Doctors, fearing legal repercussions, are often forced to delay or deny critical care, putting their patients at risk of severe complications, infertility, and even death.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, maternal healthcare has suffered greatly in restrictive states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Physicians are leaving these states, hospitals are struggling to provide comprehensive reproductive care, and women—especially those in marginalized communities—are paying the price. For women with high-risk pregnancies, the consequences can be devastating. The medical field, which should be driven by science and the Hippocratic Oath, is now being forced to navigate politically motivated laws that prioritize ideology over patient safety.
The fight for reproductive rights is about more than just abortion—it’s about the right to safe medical care, the right to make decisions about one’s body, and the right to live without fear that a pregnancy complication could turn fatal due to political interference. Zurawski’s case has laid bare the tragic reality of these policies, and her courage in speaking out has helped bring national attention to the crisis.
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE!
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The Political Landscape and the Road Ahead
The 2024 election was a defining moment for reproductive rights in America. The Biden-Harris administration campaigned heavily on restoring abortion protections, but the loss of Vice President Kamala Harris meant that a new administration would likely double down on restrictive policies. Many fear that without federal protections, states will continue to erode reproductive rights, leading to a national patchwork of laws where healthcare access is determined by geography rather than need.
For activists like Zurawski, this means the work must continue. Advocacy organizations, grassroots movements, and legal teams are mobilizing to fight back through the courts, legislation, and public awareness campaigns. More than ever, the voices of those directly impacted—women like Zurawski—are needed to keep the issue at the forefront of national discourse.
How You Can Help
Amanda Zurawski’s resilience is inspiring, but she cannot fight alone. The battle for reproductive rights requires collective action. Here’s how you can get involved:
Stay Informed: Keep up with legislative changes and court rulings on reproductive rights. Organizations like the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU provide critical updates and legal analysis.
Support Advocacy Groups: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that are fighting for reproductive justice. Whether through legal battles, education initiatives, or direct support for women in need, these groups play a vital role in protecting access to care.
Vote and Organize: Elections have consequences. Support candidates at every level of government who prioritize reproductive rights and are committed to protecting healthcare access.
Share Stories: Amplify the voices of those affected by abortion bans and restrictions. Personal stories, like Zurawski’s, have the power to change minds and influence policy.
Amanda Zurawski’s journey from hopeful mother-to-be to reproductive rights activist was born out of tragedy, but it has become a beacon of resilience and determination. Her story is a reminder that the fight for reproductive justice is far from over—and that every voice, every action, and every vote matters.
The landscape of reproductive rights in America is shifting, but the movement for bodily autonomy and medical freedom continues to grow stronger. As long as people like Amanda Zurawski refuse to back down, there is hope. Now, it’s up to all of us to ensure that hope turns into action—and action into change.
BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY!
If you believe in the fight Amanda is leading and want to see more fearless reporting that holds power accountable, now is the time to act. Free subscribers can help by upgrading to our annual plan at 50% off. Your support allows us to continue covering the stories that matter and amplifying voices fighting for democracy. Don’t wait—upgrade today and be an exclusive part of the movement!
Reproductive rights mean bodily autonomy which is a basic human right.
Amanda Zurawski never set out to be an activist. She just wanted to start a family. Instead, Texas’ extremist abortion bans turned a devastating pregnancy complication into a life-threatening crisis. Doctors knew she was losing her baby, but because of draconian laws, they were forced to deny her care until she developed sepsis. The result? Permanent damage to her reproductive system.
Zurawski turned her trauma into action, becoming a fierce advocate for reproductive rights. She warned America about the dangers of these bans, campaigned relentlessly in 2024, and refuses to back down despite legal setbacks. Her message is clear: We don’t have time to be tired.
Reproductive rights are about more than abortion. They’re about healthcare, bodily autonomy, and basic human dignity. If we stop fighting, it will only get worse.