January 22 marks the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. When I was born, it had been decades since Roe v. Wade had established that legal access to abortion in the U.S. falls under a person’s constitutional right to privacy. With the historic U.S. ruling in more danger than ever of being overturned, I felt compelled to learn more and raise awareness about the Supreme Court case that protects our right to choose what is best for our bodies. I’ve never had to worry about whether or not I’d have the choice of what to do with my body if I ever became pregnant. But recently, more and more restrictions on abortion have been passed by state governments.

Americans Support the Right to Choose

Since the historic ruling was made, the Supreme Court has consistently upheld Roe v. Wade when challenged. Despite this precedent and the majority of Americans’ support for Roe v. Wade, anti-choice advocates continue to attack reproductive rights. States continue to chip away at these rights and are poised to further ban access to safe and legal abortion. The Supreme Court has a conservative majority, and the outgoing administration appointed over 200 conservative federal judges. The possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned is more likely than ever. And yet, according to the Pew Research Center, seven out of ten Americans say they don’t want the Supreme Court to completely overturn Roe v. Wade, and “a majority of Americans (61%) continue to say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases.”

The Loss of Safe and Legal Abortion

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, millions in America could lose their ability to access safe and legal abortion. That doesn’t mean people will stop needing or having abortions, it just means more people will be harmed from potentially dangerous procedures because they feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Nearly one in four women in America will have an abortion during her lifetime, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned should raise serious concern. With more and more politicians challenging this case, knowing your rights has never been more important. Be educated and aware about challenges to the laws that protect you. Learn about the issues that matter to you and what candidates support.

And if you’ll be 18 by next Election Day, vote! It really matters.