Honoring Betty Benjamin: Chamption for Reproductive Rights
At Pro-Choice Minnesota, we stand on the shoulders of the activists who paved the way for reproductive freedom in our state and beyond. One of the most remarkable among them was Betty Benjamin, a lifelong champion of women’s rights and a leader in the movement to secure abortion access.
Betty Benjamin’s activism began in the 1960s when she recognized the urgent need to reform Minnesota’s restrictive abortion laws. A social worker by training, Betty saw firsthand the devastating consequences of the lack of reproductive healthcare access. In 1966, she helped organize the Abortion Rights Council of Minnesota, which would eventually become NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota and, today, Pro-Choice Minnesota.
Under her leadership, the movement grew from small meetings in her home to a statewide force for change. Betty’s dedication to grassroots organizing led her to recruit activists from all 67 legislative districts in Minnesota, building a robust network that helped influence policy and shift public perception of reproductive rights. She led the organization as president for 14 years, working tirelessly to ensure that women had safe and legal access to abortion.
A Lifelong Commitment
Even after Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, Betty never stopped fighting. She remained involved in the movement for decades, serving on the board of Minnesota NARAL and continuing to advocate for reproductive rights. Well into her later years, Betty could still participate in marches and rallies, ensuring the next generation of advocates was ready to continue the fight. In 2004, just weeks before her passing, she traveled to Washington, D.C., to take part in one of the largest demonstrations for reproductive rights in U.S. history.
Remembering a Movement Icon
Betty Benjamin passed away on June 26, 2004, at the age of 80, after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Her impact on the reproductive rights movement in Minnesota and beyond is immeasurable. She leaves behind a family that loved her dearly and a thriving movement because of her pioneering efforts.
As we continue our work at Pro-Choice Minnesota, we honor Betty’s legacy by fighting for the same principles she devoted her life to—bodily autonomy, equity, and reproductive justice for all. Her story reminds us that change is possible when we stand together to pursue justice.
Thank you, Betty, for your unwavering dedication. We will carry your fight forward.
References
Benjamin, B. (2004, June 28). Betty Benjamin [Obituary]. Star Tribune. Retrieved from https://obituaries.startribune.com/obituary/betty-benjamin-1090620725/
Dayton, M. (2004, May 10). Honoring Betty Benjamin. Congressional Record, 150(70), S5074. https://www.congress.gov/108/crec/2004/05/10/CREC-2004-05-10-pt1-PgS5074.pdf
Sabo, M. O. (1999, April 13). Women's History Month Honorees. Congressional Record, 145(52), 6380–6381. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-1999-pt5/pdf/CRECB-1999-pt5-Pg6380-2.pdf