Remembering Carol Downer: A Pioneer in Women’s Health
A Legacy of Advocacy and Empowerment
Carol Downer, a key figure in the women’s health movement, passed away on January 13, 2025, at the age of 91. Long before the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, she catalyzed the feminist self-help movement and played an instrumental role in promoting menstrual extraction as a viable option for women.
Revolutionizing Women’s Health Knowledge
In the early 1970s, when many medical practices were dominated by male physicians, Downer’s introduction of cervical self-examination represented a groundbreaking shift. This new approach allowed women to learn about their bodies through communal knowledge-sharing, transforming the perceptions women held about their own health. Today, as 12 states enforce total abortion bans, menstrual extraction remains a critical method for women seeking autonomy over their reproductive health.
Early Life and Activism
Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Downer navigated the struggles of reproductive rights from a young age. After an unplanned pregnancy led to her dropping out of college at UCLA, she found herself married and raising four children. During a subsequent separation, another unplanned pregnancy prompted her to seek an abortion. Despite enduring a painful experience without anesthetic, Downer realized firsthand the necessity for safer options and the urgency for women to seize control over their own reproductive choices.
“If we don’t learn about our own bodies, somebody else is going to be in charge of what happens to us. It’s just that simple.” — Carol Downer
The Birth of Self-Help Techniques
In 1969, influenced by the burgeoning women’s rights movement, Downer joined the abortion task force of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Under the guidance of Harvey Karman, an early advocate for safer abortion methods, Downer sought to familiarize herself with abortion techniques. An experience observing a cervix for the first time profoundly changed her perspective, leading her to recognize the potential for women to conduct their own self-care safely.
During a pivotal meeting in April 1971, she encouraged other women to consider these options by sharing her own experiences, including showing her cervix. This act catalyzed a movement among participants, allowing them to engage and share their own knowledge, forming a community around women’s self-help.
Innovative Developments
With assistance from Lorraine Rothman, a fellow activist, they adapted existing medical tools into the Del-Em device for menstrual extraction. By merging the concept of menstrual extraction with self-help, they blurred the lines between early abortion and other reproductive health practices, enhancing access to reproductive care. As they traveled to 23 cities promoting self-help strategies, the group ultimately set up a self-help clinic in Los Angeles.
Legal Challenges and Continued Advocacy
In 1972, Downer faced legal challenges for practicing medicine without a license when they provided women with knowledge on treating common health issues. Supported by renowned feminists, she defended the right to share health-related knowledge, culminating in a successful acquittal that spurred further interest in menstrual extraction and self-help practices.
Impact of Roe v. Wade and Beyond
Following the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, Downer and her colleagues established the Women’s Choice Clinic in Los Angeles, marking a significant expansion of female-controlled health services, including abortion and general well-woman care. The clinic became a model for similar establishments across the nation, emphasizing respect for women’s autonomy and fostering community engagement.
A Lifelong Commitment to Women’s Health
Though the Women’s Choice Clinic closed in 1986, Downer’s advocacy did not wane. She transitioned to practicing law and continued her activism in various formats, from protesting against systemic oppression to supporting feminist political prisoners globally. Her initiatives encouraged numerous women to engage actively with their health, as illustrated by the formative experiences shared by many who learned menstrual extraction under her guidance.
Final Years and Online Activism
In her later years, Downer’s commitment to education and empowerment continued. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, she pivoted to online activism to maintain her outreach efforts. Her website, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands, served as a vital resource for self-help and community empowerment.
Throughout her life, Carol Downer embodied the belief that understanding one’s body is crucial for personal agency. Her enduring legacy remains vital today, especially in a post-Dobbs era, offering women pathways to reclaim control over their reproductive decisions.