Known for her landmark case(Roe v. Wade) which made abortion legal nationwide in the year, 1989 at the supreme court of the United States of America, Sarah Weddington was an advocate for women’s reproductive freedom.
Who was Sarah Weddington: The lawyer in Roe v. Wade case?
Sarah Weddington was a native of Texas, she was born as Sarah Ragle in Abilene, Texas. She was born to The Rev. Herbert Doyle Ragle and Lena Catherine. Growing up, Sarah played the organ and sang in the church choir as well as becoming the president of the Methodist youth fellowship at her church.
Sarah graduated from The Texas School of Law in 1967 and also held honorary doctorates from McMurry University, Hamilton College, Austin College, Southwestern, and Nova Southwestern Universities.
Sarah landed her turning point came after she graduated from school and found it difficult to find a job at a law firm. She then joined a group of graduate students at the University of Texas, who were researching ways to challenge various anti-abortion statutes.
And after appearing in the supreme court in 1971 and 1972, Sarah argued her case and the court overturned Texas abortion law by a 7-2 majority and legalized abortion nationwide.
After, she was elected three terms to the Texas house of representatives. And also served as an assistant to President Jimmy Carter as well as lecturing at Texas Woman’s University. She also authored a few books and until 2012 she was a speaker and adjunct professor of the University of Texas.
She died in her sleep on 26th December 2021.
