Minnesota Birth Control League

The Minnesota Birth Control League was organized during a tea held at the home of Elizabeth H. Shafer on March 15, 1928 with the initial purpose of amending state laws that regulated access to birth control information and devices. Nineteen women signed on as members of the organization and elected Shafer as their president. At their second meeting the group adopted the name Motherhood Protection League and on the advice of social workers that they "avoid arousing antagonism" agreed to begin their work by inviting knowledgeable speakers to address the educational component of their meetings. Subsequent speakers included physicians, officials with the State Board of Control, social workers, and the president of the Minnesota Eugenics Society. A constitution and set of bylaws adopted at their third meeting set forth the League's objectives in terms of educational and social service aims as well as legislative reform.

On June 10, 1931 the members agreed to affiliate with the American Birth Control League and incorporated themselves under a new organization as the Minnesota Birth Control League. Elizabeth H. Shafer was elected president of the new League and continued to serve in that role until May of 1933 when Dorothy B. Atkinson was elected.

After unsuccessfully petitioning the Minneapolis Council of Social Agencies to consider providing contraceptive relief, the League opened a birth control clinic in downtown Minneapolis on October 24, 1931. Dr. Eleanor J. Hill, who had been an associate member of the League since she first addressed them in May of 1928, served as medical director. During its first six months the clinic treated 126 women who had been referred to the clinic by social welfare agencies. The cost for treating each woman was $6.00 however only two percent were able to pay this amount. During its second year 510 new women came to the clinic, whose hours were expanded from two weekly sessions to three. The services of a second physician were added in November of 1933 and clinic hours increased to four weekly sessions.

During these formative years the activities of a state fieldworker and an educational extension committee organized interest and support throughout the state. Despite financial difficulties, lack of community chest recognition, and Catholic church opposition, six additional clinics were established between 1935 and 1936 in Rochester, St. Paul, the Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House in Minneapolis, Duluth, Hibbing, and Bagley.

In 1940 the League changed its name to the Minnesota League for Planned Parenthood in accordance with its affiliation with the American Birth Control League which had previously merged with the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau to form what eventually became the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Historical information was taken from the collection, from the Jean M. Wilcox Papers, and from Mary Losure, "'Motherhood Protection' and the Minnesota Birth Control League," Minnesota History 54 (Winter 1995): 359-370.

From the guide to the President's files., 1928-1998 (bulk 1928-1938)., (Minnesota Historical Society)