March 18, 2025
Led by Department of Records and Information Services,
Exhibit Starts in 1828 with Prohibition of Abortion in New York City to Present Day,
Highlighting City’s Current Reputation as National Leader in Reproductive Rights
Announcement Comes as Adams Administration Commemorates
400th Anniversary of New York City and Women’s History Month
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a new exhibit led by the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) on the history of reproductive rights in New York City. Starting in 1828, when abortion first became illegal in New York City, the exhibit traces the history of reproductive rights to present day, highlighting the city’s current reputation as a national leader in the fight. The exhibit comes as the city celebrates Women’s History Month and all the contributions women have made to New York City, as well as the city’s 400th anniversary this year.
“For too long, women in need of reproductive health care were forced into the shadows, turning to dangerous alternatives to receive the support they needed. In New York City, we’re proud to be a beacon of light for all women seeking reproductive care and services,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to this exhibit, New Yorkers can trace and understand our history of reproductive rights — from the early, dark days of criminality to our status today as a national role model. This month, during Women’s History Month, and every month, our city stands with protecting, empowering, and leading on women’s health care.”
“Outlawing abortion doesn’t stop it. Banning birth control doesn’t end its use. Criminalizing reproductive health care does not improve health or safety. Instead, women use underground resources, many of which are risky,” DORIS Commissioner Pauline Toole. “NYPD photographs showing sites where illegal abortions were provided clearly show that safe health care was not the focus. This exhibit uses city government’s historical records to document the impact of criminalization and legalization on women’s health care. Today, women from around the country rely on New York City for the health care they need.”
The new exhibit uses historical documents dating back to 1828 — including court records, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) charts, and photos of locations where illegal abortions were performed — to tell the full evolution of the city’s stance on abortion from criminality to full access. Additionally, the exhibit illustrates how increasing penalties for providing or receiving abortions or birth control drastically affected women’s health, the impact of the New York state’s 1970 law decriminalizing abortion on both a national and city level, and the Adams administration’s February 2024 Sexual and Reproductive Bill of Rights, which further enshrined New York City’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights. The exhibit is free to the public and will open on March 18 and run until April 30, 2025, at 31 Chambers, Room 103, New York, NY 10007 between 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Adams administration has championed and advocated for policies to make New York City a leader in gender equity. In January 2025, Mayor Adams announced progress and new efforts to secure New York City’s position as a national leader in accessible abortion care in wake of the 2022 Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade — on what would have been the legal decision’s 52nd anniversary. Following the high court’s decision, DOHMH launched the “Abortion Access Hub,” a hotline that connects callers to licensed abortion care providers in New York City in an effort to ensure a pathway towards safe, accessible abortion care, amidst national restrictions and misinformation. Since its launch in November 2022, the Hub has served more than 9,000 individuals — 25 percent being from a state where abortion has been banned or restricted. Of those out-of-state callers, 75 percent are from Texas, Florida, or Georgia — all states with outright bans or severe restrictions.
In January 2023, New York City became the first city in the nation to offer medication abortion, free-of-charge, at the city’s public health clinics, ensuring that abortion care was integrated into health care services it provides. In October 2023, New York City’s public hospital system became the first in the nation to offer telehealth medication abortions to ensure that New Yorkers who cannot physically make it to a clinic or don’t feel safe doing so can still access a medication abortion.
Last year, Mayor Adams unveiled “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity,” a more than $43 million investment aimed at making New York City a national leader on gender equity, including for transgender and gender expansive New Yorkers, with the ambitious goal of becoming the most women-forward city in the United States. New Yorkers can visit the re-launched women.nyc, a one-stop shop website, to learn more about the action plan and access city services to support women and families.
In December 2024, Mayor Adams announced “Founded By NYC,” a year-long inclusive, comprehensive acknowledgement of the 400th anniversary of New York City. In partnership with NYC Tourism + Conventions, Founded By NYC will celebrate how New York City has made history, and continues to do so — highlighting the achievements driven by the creativity and resilience of the five boroughs and its people, including the perspectives of marginalized audiences, like those of the Indigenous community, women, and people of color.
“As chair of the City Council’s Health Committee, I commend the administration for shedding light on New York City’s complex history of reproductive rights,” said New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman. “This exhibit is a powerful reflection of our city’s journey—from criminalization to becoming a national leader in protecting abortion access—and a reminder of the ongoing fight to safeguard these rights. At a time when reproductive freedoms are under attack across the country, New York City remains a beacon of progress and a safe haven for those seeking care.”
“As chair of the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, I am proud to join Mayor Adams and DORIS in highlighting New York City’s history of reproductive rights,” said New York City Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams. “This exhibit reminds us of the struggles and progress made, especially for women of color disproportionately affected by restrictive policies. As we mark Women’s History Month and the city’s 400th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and expanding reproductive healthcare. New York City has long been a leader in this fight, and we will continue to defend these fundamental rights.”
Source: https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/; midtowntribune.com