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Quaker physicians establish the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, PA to give women a chance to learn medicine. The first women graduated under police guard.
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American Medical Association announces opposition to abortion. In 1860, Connecticut is the first state to prohibit all abortions, both before and after quickening
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The birth rate continues its downward spiral as reliable condoms become available. By the late 1900s, women will raise an average of only two or three children
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Helen Magill is the first woman to receive a Ph.D. at a US school, a doctorate in Greek from Boston University
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Margaret Sanger organizes the American Birth Control League, which becomes Federation of Planned Parenthood in 1942.
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The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills.
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In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to abortion, effectively canceling the anti-abortion laws of 46 states.