Dorothy Fadiman, Beth Seltzer, and Daniel MeyersFrom Danger To Dignity: The Fight For Safe Abortion (1995)

After more than a century of back-alley tragedies, a national movement to decriminalize abortion took root. FROM DANGER to DIGNITY combines rare archival footage with present-day interviews to weave together two parallel stories: the evolution of underground networks to help women find safe abortions outside the law and the intensive efforts of activists and legislators who broke the silence and changed the laws.

This item is part of the collection: Fadiman Social Documentaries

Director: Dorothy Fadiman, Beth Seltzer, and Daniel Meyers
Producer: Dorothy Fadiman
Production Company: Concentric Media
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: Dorothy Fadiman; Concentric Media; Emmy Award; reproductive rights; women; women's rights; abortion; abortion laws; abortion legislation; abortion rights; women's history; women's health; pro-choice; pro-choice activism; personal stories; reproductive health; reproductive choice; medical issues; health care; public policy; human rights; underground networks; back alleys; women's history; legislators; clergy; doctors; gynecology; the Janes; clergy consultation; Pat Maginnis; Sarah Weddington; Roe v. Wade; Erika Luckett
Contact Information: Distributed by Women Make Movies: info@wmm.com

Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

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Reviewer: joseppe - - June 1, 2008
Subject: Truly it is a fight...

I thought the purpose of abortion was to kill the baby so you can get on with your life without any further inconvenience?

So this is truly a paradox as there really is no way to make abortion safe for the baby.

Maybe someday you'll get it, but its not about your rights, its about your responsibilities.

Reviewer: Rosemary Vivianne - - June 1, 2008
Subject: 53 Million Unborn Babies Dead and Counting!

53 million unborn babies dead and counting since Roe v Wade. Those who support abortion are morally responsible.

Reviewer: Braders - - November 17, 2007
Subject: One or Two

There can be no right or wrong with legal abortion. We, as a society, have decided that the health of two should prevail of the health of one.
The 13 year old who may have been "forced" into pregnancy should not have to be "forced" into a life of being unable to support herself and her child in todays world. The likely result would be the premature death of both, not one.

Reviewer: Within Temptation - - October 2, 2007
Subject: "Dignity"?

There's nothing dignified about abortion -- neither for the mother to be or the shredded unborn baby. There's also nothing remotely in the "minority" about those who oppose abortion. Buddhists look askew at it as a violation of the First Precept. Christians (Catholic and Protestant) take a dim view of it as well as a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. The so-called "back-alley" abortions so touted by pro-abortion factions are also a myth. However, even if they did occur, why should everything that takes place in a back alley be legalized? Prostituion? Drugs (sale and use)? Crime (rape, mugging, assault)? Bringing something from the back alley and making it legal does NOT make imbue it with dignity. Abortion will be a tragedy wherever it occurs.

Reviewer: xuxu102 - - October 2, 2007
Subject: A brilliant, moving piece

I have had 20 years of Catholic upbringing, and I can say that I am very glad that this film was made. The only person who should decide whether or not to have an abortion is the woman who is facing that decision, and her alone. No man, no institution, no system, NO ONE should take that decision away from her.

Reviewer: McCully - - October 1, 2007
Subject: With Dignity

I can't imagine a more difficult topic than abortion for a documentary -- but this truly was done with dignity. Thank you for offering a perspective that is so often drowned out by a vocal minority.

Reviewer: scifigrrrl - - October 1, 2007
Subject: Safe Abortions = Humane, Legal Medical Care

This documentary exemplifies the reason abortion MUST remain legal and accessible.

Reviewer: Claeyborn - - May 30, 2007
Subject: Safe abortions...

Safe abortions = no abortions!