Abortion Action Coalition

Abortion Action Coalition (AAC) founded in Boston, Mass., in the summer of 1977 to actively oppose the Doyle-Flynn anti-abortion amendment (an attempt to cut-off state funding for abortions, following the national adoption of the Hyde amendment which allowed states to restrict Medicaid payments for abortions); later in 1977 AAC restructured into four working committees: legislative liaison, community and labor outreach, health and hospital, and media.

The Abortion Action Coalition, a project of the Women's Educational Center (Cambridge, MA), was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1977 to oppose the Doyle-Flynn anti-abortion amendment, which proposed cutting state funding for abortions. The Coalition organized community activities and held discussion forums and educational meetings. The Coalition also worked with local unions and community groups to create a wider action network. Members spoke at demonstrations, on talk shows, and to other concerned groups. The original focus on abortion rights grew to encompass issues linked to women's rights, including birth control, child care, maternity leave, reproductive rights, and teenage pregnancy. The Coalition was structured into four committees: Legislative Liaison, Community and Labor Outreach, Health and Hospitals, and Media. These committees were coordinated by an elected steering committee. Most of the work was done by volunteers. The Abortion Action Coalition was a member of the Reproductive Rights National Network. The Abortion Action Coalition disbanded in 1980.