Overturn of Roe v. Wade sparks reactions from Elmhurst University community

Elmhurst University junior Claudia Schmidt was coming home from vacation when her grandmother told her the news about Roe v. Wade being overturned. Schmidt never expected the overturn to actually happen, and recalled being reminded of Gilead, a fictional totalitarian and patriarchal society, from the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale”.

“I remember getting home, and I just bawled my eyes out to my mother,” Schmidt said. 

In a 5–4 decision, finalized on June 24, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that granted Americans the right to an abortion. 

According to CBS Chicago, the overturn occurred after a case involving a Mississippi law that banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. 

On behalf of the SCOTUS majority, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that Roe v. Wade — following high court decisions that reaffirmed that ruling — should be overturned because they were “egregiously wrong,” and the arguments were “exceptionally weak,” and “so damaging” that they added up to “an abuse of judicial authority,” according to NPR.

As of Aug. 26, most abortions are banned in at least 12 states, and two other states ban abortion at around six weeks of pregnancy, according to The New York Times.

Bruce King, vice president of equity and inclusion at Elmhurst University, said he felt “shocked” and “disappointed” by the overturn. As a father of a daughter, he felt pain over the idea that a right was taken away from her. 

Moving forward, King wants to see more open communication happen between people. 

“I personally think we have to come back and learn how to have dialogue with each other and seek better understanding and try to eliminate the polarization that’s been happening,” King said. 

EU junior Eaden Hvarre also felt that state governments need more consistent and open communication with each other.

“I think it affected me personally just from a standpoint of knowing that the government can take away my rights,” Hvarre stated. “And I know that’s always been a possibility but to actually witness something so blatantly — that I view as a human right — being taken away without second thought was just a very shocking moment.” 

EU sophomore Blake Macias went to peaceful protests to spread awareness on why they feel that Roe v. Wade is an important decision, and they said they want to see higher-ups demonstrate more empathy. 

“Instead of having something like [the overturn], instead create more education and more resources for people to educate to prevent so many things instead of this big decision which hurts so many people,” Macias explained. “And just actually try to be inclusive and try to be empathetic with people and understanding.” 

While many people throughout the EU community and the country at large felt shocked and disappointed about the overturn, others expressed contentment with the decision.

Internet Photo

According to CBS Chicago, Republican Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood called the decision “a huge victory for the sanctity of life.” 

“As a father of three and a Pro-Life advocate, I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case, returning the question of abortion to the states and to the people,” LaHood said. 

Illinois Right to Life Executive Director Amy Gehrke also celebrated the decision, calling it “an incredible victory for our nation,” according to CBS Chicago. 

Regardless of personal opinion, all members of the EU community are welcome for support at the Wellness Center. 

Emily Bernadi, director of student health, wrote in an email to The Leader that if students are concerned about pregnancy or becoming pregnant, they are encouraged to book an appointment at the Wellness Center. 

Bernadi added that there are multiple resources available to students, such as free condoms in the Wellness Center lobby, several options of over-the-counter and prescription birth control pills, and the “morning after pill.”

Amy Swarr, director of Counseling Services, also wrote a message to students on behalf of the Wellness Center staff in an email to The Leader.

“We know the decision has created a lot of emotions and reactions among our students,” Swarr wrote. “We’d like all EU students to know that we are available to them for support and counseling—they can walk into the Wellness Center or call us at (630) 617-3565 to schedule an appointment.”