An Essential Reading List 1 Year After Roe Was Overturned

June 24 marks exactly one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, ending the constitutional right to an abortion — and completely reshaping the landscape of reproductive healthcare access in America.

Today, 14 states have near-total abortion bans in place, per The New York Times, and about half of states are expected to enact abortion restrictions. These restrictions continue to disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

To recognize the weight of this one-year anniversary, we've gathered an essential reading list of stories from the past year, written by POPSUGAR staffers and contributors. From firsthand accounts of obtaining an abortion to pieces that explain the state of abortion access today, these stories help paint a picture of a post-Roe reality.

We invite you to explore what this monumental moment means, and we will continue to bring you stories that help chart the past, present, and future of abortion access in America.

In our project 50 States, 50 Abortions, one person from every state told us about their experience obtaining an abortion. From a person in Oklahoma who found out they were pregnant weeks after the state banned the procedure to a mother in South Dakota who believed adding to her family would keep her from realizing her career goals, these accounts are raw, honest, and clarifying. Explore the full project here.

Last year, a POPSUGAR survey on Instagram found that limited (or nonexistent) abortion access has changed how people approach sex, dating, and relationships. The survey found that couples are talking about sex differently post-Roe, condom usage is back in a big way, and casual situationships may be on the decline.

Jan. 22 marked another big milestone: 50 years since Roe v. Wade was passed. To mark what would've been the 50th anniversary, we delved into whether Roe could ever be law again and why state courts are the next battleground for reproductive rights.

We also looked at the current state of abortion access, including why abortions are so expensive, what pregnancy crisis centers are really like, and why abortion aftercare is on the rise. We also reported on how doulas are fighting to close the Black maternal care gap.

Many celebrities spoke out after the overturning of Roe. Some of the most powerful statements came from celebrities who opened up about their own abortion stories — including Paris Hilton, Busy Philipps, and Phoebe Bridgers, among others. Many have continued talking about the issue; this past spring, for example, John Legend urged other men to vocally support reproductive rights.

Want to read more on abortion access in America? Explore our latest stories here.