History

JoAnn M. Smith (FPA CEO 1995-08), M. Tracey Brooks (Current FPA CEO) and Shirley Gordon (FPA CEO 1977-94)

On April 9, 1970 the New York State Legislature passed a bill legalizing abortion in New York. The law was quickly signed by Governor Rockefeller and went into effect on July 1, 1970, greatly reducing maternal deaths and obstetric complications. But anti-choice forces immediately mobilized to try to rescind New York’s law and made several unsuccessful efforts to overturn the state statute. They redoubled their efforts after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973, which legalized abortion nationwide. The urgent need to protect a woman’s right to abortion was clear to the early founders of Family Planning Advocates, who successfully organized reproductive rights advocates to preserve a woman’s right to choose.

These efforts led to the establishment of Family Planning Advocates of New York State in 1977, whose purpose was to defend reproductive rights and promote progressive family planning policies in New York State. For the past 34 years, FPA has stayed true to this mission – advancing the health and well-being of women and their families through its work with the Governor’s office, State Legislature, Department of Health, and other state and federal agencies. For a more detailed look at FPA’s history, click on the year links below.

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009 2010