Reproductive rights

Born in Flushing (Queens), New York City, N.Y., Friedman attended the University at Buffalo (SUNY) as an undergraduate and Boston University School of Law, graduated in 1977. His first work after law school was in legal services. He began working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky in 1983 as a volunteer cooperating attorney. A year later (1984), Friedman became the group’s general counsel and served in that position for 25 years often taking the lead on cases that dealt with reproductive freedom, separation of church and state, freedom of speech and other civil liberties issues. In 2005, he successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU of Kentucky that the display of the Ten Commandments in a courthouse violated constitutional principles. This is the second interview with David Friedman for this organizational history project. The previous interview was conducted by Mary Pace on March 10, 2011. That interview and its index are on deposit at the Oral History Center of the University of Louisville. In this second interview, Friedman revisits some of the same themes from his first interview: great pride in the ACLU’s mission, a genuine and personal passion for the legal work, the importance of educating the public on civil liberties and how media relations played a role in that work. Friedman discusses how Kentucky’s politics and culture have placed it on frontline of efforts to protect reproductive freedom and the separation of church and state.

Everett Hoffman, a lawyer and former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky, discusses his career and the organization's work. Born in New Orleans and raised in various parts of the U.S., Hoffman returned to Louisville, Kentucky, for his first lawyer position with the Legal Aid Society in 1983. He joined the ACLU during law school and became its executive director in 1992. Hoffman discusses the ACLU's work on social justice issues, including police misconduct, the death penalty, and reproductive freedom. He also talks about the organization's defense of free speech, even for groups like the KKK, and its efforts to reflect Kentucky's diversity. Hoffman left the ACLU in 1999.

Former executive director of the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union, which later became the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky. Loving discusses her background, her college experiences, her involvement in social justice issues, and the work of the ACLU in Kentucky. Loving discusses her encounters with the Ku Klux Klan, the importance of protecting constitutional rights, the public's reaction to the ACLU's work, the motivation of plaintiffs and volunteers, and the organization's involvement in reproductive freedom issues. She also talks about the challenges of funding and media coverage, as well as the changes in the organization over time. Overall, Loving reflects on her experiences and the impact of the ACLU's work in Kentucky.

This is the second interview with Jessica Loving for this organizational history project. The previous interview was conducted by Mary Pace on March 2, 2011, and is often referenced in the 2013 interview. The 2011 interview and a full transcript are on deposit at the Oral History Center of the University of Louisville. In this second interview, Loving revisits some of the same themes from her first interview: reproductive freedom, separation of church and state, and free speech. Loving also describes her role as a supporter, staff person and board member with the ACLU. In her discussion of specific events or cases, Loving offers an insider’s perspective on the actions of the time and how the scope of civil liberties has expanded over the course of nearly five decades, particularly in issues dealing with the rights of women and LGBT persons.

Anti-abortion movement in Kentucky. Montgomery is executive director of Kentucky Right To Life Association in Louisville.

Born in Louisville in 1933 to first-generation German Jewish American parents, Post was raised with the belief in assimilation and teaching English to immigrant parents. After graduating from high school, she majored in English in college. In 1956, she returned to Louisville and became involved with the ACLU, initially as a member and later as a plaintiff in a school integration lawsuit. During the time of school desegregation and the open housing movement, the Klan and other anti-busing groups were actively opposing integration efforts. They would gather at school board meetings and engage in protests, often leading to arrests. Susie Post, as a member of the KCLU (Kentucky Civil Liberties Union), was involved in raising bail money for those who were arrested during these protests. The presence of the Klan and their opposition to civil rights served as a catalyst for Susie Post's activism and commitment to fighting for equality and justice. She also worked on issues such as women's rights, the death penalty, and the anti-war movement. Post served as the director of the ACLU in Louisville and later became a National Vice President. She reflects on the challenges and successes of her tenure, including the Skokie case and the impact of the organization on Louisville. Post believes that the arts movement in Louisville has also contributed to the city's progressiveness. She acknowledges the personal sacrifices she made and the need for trained professionals in the organization. Post expresses pride in her work and the organizations she helped start.

Pratt discusses her work in civil rights and civil liberties, and her involvement in various cases, including those related to the separation of church and state, abortion rights, and racial justice. She also talks about the ACLU's relationship with the public and the media, and the organization's internal debates over which cases to take on. Pratt mentions the ACLU's struggle with being labeled as a communist front organization, and how this fear lasted into the 1980s. She also discusses the rewarding and challenging aspects of her work with the ACLU. She also discusses cases related to reproductive rights, such as challenging restrictive abortion laws and advocating for the rights of minors seeking abortions. The organization received generous donations to support their pro-choice work, allowing them to expand their staff and increase their presence in the state.

Segal talks about the work of the women’s rights committee of the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union (KCLU), now the ACLU-KY. The committee was formed in the early 1970s as part of the Second Wave of Feminism brought attention to women’s issues in the wake of the civil rights movement of the previous decade. Segal discusses the evolution of women’s rights within the context of civil liberties and in the broader society through consciousness-raising groups, public events, and legislative efforts. For the most part, Segal’s interview describes the five-year period in which women’s issues were brought to the forefront and became recognized as important to the KCLU mission.

Tachau discusses her work with Planned Parenthood and Child Welfare in Louisville and Kentucky. She also reflects on the life of her uncle, Justice Louis Brandeis. The focus of the interview is from 1900 -1929.

Donna Wells, an advocate for reproductive freedom and rights, discusses her involvement in the movement. Wells began working in reproductive health in 1974 at the first abortion clinic in Kentucky. In 1981 she started her own clinic, EMW Women's Surgical Center. Wells faced opposition and threats from anti-abortion protestors, but remained committed to ensuring safe and accessible abortion services in Kentucky. She also served on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Abortion Federation. Wells reflects on the emotional toll of counseling women seeking abortions and discusses the challenges of balancing personal and professional life.