Center for Reproductive Rights Statement on Louise Slaughter

Today, U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), the first woman to represent Western New York in Congress and longtime abortion rights advocate, has died at the age of 88.

As one of the longest serving women in the House of Representatives, Rep. Slaughter was committed to fighting for women’s rights— actively drafting and supporting legislation that protects women’s access to sexual and reproductive health care.

During her tenure, Rep. Slaughter founded and co-chaired the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus and championed several bills critical to women’s reproductive health, including the EACH Woman Act and the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill designed to end the wave of anti-abortion laws preventing women from accessing their constitutional right to an abortion.

Said Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:

“Louise Slaughter has left an enduring imprint on the law and on the lives of women across the country. In her thirty-plus years of service, Rep. Slaughter stood on the front lines of the fight to protect and preserve women’s constitutional right to sexual and reproductive health care. She was a steadfast ally and a fearless champion for women whose integrity and leadership will be deeply missed.

“The Center for Reproductive Rights is thankful for Rep. Slaughter’s contributions to women and honors her life’s work as an inspiration to the reproductive rights movement.”