Born: 1933 (Oklahoma)
Carol Downer (born 1933 in Oklahoma) is an American feminist lawyer and non-fiction author who dedicated her career to advocating for abortion rights and women’s health around the world. Her contributions to the self-help movement and her involvement in establishing the first self-help clinic in Los Angeles have made her a prominent figure in women’s history.
Downer was raised in Los Angeles, California, where she first became involved in local political movements in the 1960s. It wasn’t until 1963, after going through her own experience with abortion following her separation from her first husband, that she became inspired to join the women’s movement. She witnessed a protest at the University of California, Los Angeles, demanding better access to birth control services on campus, which ignited her passion for fighting for reproductive rights.
In the early 1970s, Downer embarked on a mission to make abortions safer for women. She joined the LA Chapter of the National Organization for Women’s Abortion Committee in 1969, where she learned about the history of abortion from Lana Phelan. It was during this time that Downer crossed paths with Harvey Karman, a pivotal figure in the movement. Together with Karman and John Gwynn, Downer played a crucial role in opening an illegal abortion clinic in Los Angeles.
However, Downer soon grew dissatisfied with the atmosphere at Karman and Gwynn’s clinic. Despite this, Karman allowed Downer to observe his abortion method, although she clarified that he did not directly teach her how to perform the procedure. Downer, recognizing the need for safer alternatives, introduced menstrual extraction to other activists, empowering women to take control of their reproductive health.
Downer’s activism began with her involvement in the civil rights movement and local politics in California during the 1960s. However, it was her engagement in the women’s liberation movement in 1969 that propelled her into the forefront of the fight for abortion rights. She focused her efforts on making abortion accessible under the liberalized abortion law in Los Angeles.
Working alongside Lana Clarke Phelan, author of The Abortion Handbook, Downer served on the Abortion Task Force of the National Organization for Women. In her pursuit to learn how to perform abortions, she and other women observed procedures at Karman’s illegal abortion clinic on Santa Monica Boulevard. It was during this time that Downer devised a method for vaginal self-examination, using a vaginal speculum, further empowering women to take control of their own reproductive health.
With the formation of the Los Angeles Abortion Task Force, Downer and her fellow activists organized a meeting at a feminist bookstore on April 7, 1971, to educate women about abortion and advocate for their rights. This gathering became a landmark moment in the women’s health movement, as it laid the foundation for the establishment of self-help clinics across the United States.
Carol Downer’s tireless efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights and advance women’s health have left an indelible mark on society. Her pioneering work in establishing self-help clinics and her advocacy for safer abortion practices have inspired generations of activists. Through her dedication and commitment, Downer has played a vital role in shaping women’s history.