Imprinted gold clocks on Lillian Adams’ red and blue silk blouse reinforced her warning that it is only a matter of time before new legislation could make abortions illegal, reverting to fatal and unclean procedures.

Adams, co-chairwoman of the Southern Illinois Pro-Choice Alliance, spoke at a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Quigley Auditorium.

In 1973, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional statutes banning abortion. The case decriminalized abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy but allowed for restrictions on abortions after the first trimester.

Advertisement

In front of about 40 male and female audience members, she began the seminar with a speech entitled The Bad Old Days, discussing the methods of abortions that took place before abortions were legal. With horrified expressions, the audience listened to Adams as she spoke of a friend’s experience in the 1930s.

In a time before antibiotics were introduced, her friend used a straightened coat hanger to complete a self-executed abortion, and severely punctured her uterus.

She also spoke of a medical doctor who worked in a basement on South University Avenue in the 1950s. For $200, a woman could receive an illegal abortion performed with unsterilized surgical instruments and no after-care.

This doctor had credentials, Adams said. Just imagine abortions that were performed in back alleys by common people simply looking for money.

Today, only a few of those in the medical profession know how to perform abortions, a second speaker said. Allison Hile, Education Director of the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City said she fears this new trend.

The older physicians remember what it was like when abortions were illegal, she said. They will perform them because they remember what it was like in past times. Today, doctors are not being taught how to terminate a pregnancy. This is not a good sign.

Hile stressed the need for legislation that will allow the safety and choice of a woman to continue. Hile said without voting, methods of abortion may revert back to past times.

Advertisement*

If abortions become illegal again, the only thing that will change will be the health of women, she said. Passion will continue to exist, not every pregnancy will be planned and not every couple will use birth control.

Michael Collard of Jonesboro was one of the most influenced audience members at the presentation. After Hile’s speech, Collard supported the need for an abortion clinic in Carbondale.

There should have been a clinic here 20 years ago, he said. If we get enough people, we can do it. I don’t understand why the medical professionals that are pro-choice don’t encourage it.