2009 – Dr. George Tiller Killed: Reigniting Reproductive Justice Debate

Though not a Black figure, the assassination of Dr. George Tiller on May 31, 2009, reignited debates around reproductive justice—a movement deeply relevant to Black women. Dr. Tiller provided late-term abortions and was one of few doctors offering such services. His murder by an anti-abortion extremist drew national attention to the threats faced by abortion providers. For Black communities, where maternal mortality rates and reproductive access remain critical issues, the incident intensified calls for a broader reproductive justice framework. Pioneered by Black women like Loretta Ross, this framework links abortion rights to issues of racial, economic, and healthcare justice. May 31 serves as a reminder that reproductive freedom is inseparable from Black liberation. The reproductive justice movement centers Black women’s voices in the fight for bodily autonomy, healthcare equity, and safe access to medical services without fear, stigma, or political repression.