The Illinois Citizens for the Medical Control of Abortion (ICMCA) was established in December 1966 with the belief that, "all laws concerning abortion performed by licensed physician be repealed and that abortion be governed by the general laws regulating licensure and practice... that abortion remain a crime if performed by a person not duly licensed to practice medicine."
Dr. Lonny Myers, who wrote and spoke extensively about abortion and sexual health, served as the first Chair of ICMCA before joining the National Association to Repeal Abortion Laws. The First Unitarian Church at 57th and Woodlawn provided office space for ICMCA in Fenn House at 5638 South Woodlawn. Drawing membership from the Chicago and downstate areas, ICMCA membership included lawyers, local politicians, state legislators, medical professionals and members of the clergy. Barbara Siegel Kahn of Barbara's Books acted as Chair of the Public Relations Committee. Myers was followed by the Episcopal minister the Revered Don. C. Shaw, Chicago lawyer Ralph Brown, and the Reverend E. Spencer Parsons as ICMCA chairs.
ICMCA worked for abortion law repeal. Their efforts included letter writing campaigns to Illinois state representatives, raising public awareness through a speakers' bureau, with their representatives appearing on local TV and Radio in the late 1960s, and working with other like-minded organizations. ICMCA organized the "First National Conference on Abortion Laws/Modification or Repeal?" in February 1969. Members participated in other abortion conferences, including the Kennedy International Conference on Abortion (1967) and provided testimony for family health legislative commissions. ICMCA communicated with individuals and organizations across the country and drew some national recognition, including a $5,000 donation from Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Foundation.
By 1976 the group had become the Abortion Rights Association of Illinois, headed by Director Helen Smith.
The records of the Illinois Citizens for the Medical Control of Abortion (ICMCA) document its effort to repeal abortion laws in the state of Illinois. Later to become the Abortion Rights Association of Illinois the ICMCA collection includes internal records as well as those documenting its legislative activities, member events and contribution to abortion conferences and commissions. Includes files of news articles and subject files on the abortion views of other organizations and the legal status of abortion outside Illinois.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series I - Internal Records
|
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series A: Administrative Records |
| Box | Folder |
| 1 | 1 | | Book list,
1967 |
| 2 | | Instructions,
1967-1968 |
| 3 | | ICMCA Minutes,
1967-1969 |
| 4 | | Internal Revenue: Records,
up to 1968 |
| 5 | | Position Statements Correspondence,
1968-1969 |
| 6 | | Procedures for ICMCA Office,
1968-1969 |
| 7 | | Fund Raising,
1968-1969 |
| Box | Folder |
| 2 | 8 | | Illinois Citizens for the Medical Control of Abortion: Budget Proposal,
1969 |
| 9 | | Financial Relations Board, Inc. Account and Correspondence,
1969 |
| 10 | | Historical,
undated |
| 11 | | Illinois Citizens for the Medical Control of Abortion Membership Blanks,
undated |
| 12 | | LISTS-ACTIVE Xerox - Original [Miscellaneous Communications],
undated |
| 13 | | Originals for Future Xeroxing [Miscellaneous Communications],
undated |
| 14 | | Papers submitted by Students,
undated |
| 15 | | Human Rights and Women's Rights,
undated |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series B: Correspondence |
| Box | Folder |
| 3 | 16 | | MEDICO Misc. Letters,
1965-1967 |
| 17 | | Letters, Organizations,
1966-1968 |
| 18 | | Correspondence - General,
1967-1968 |
| 19 | | Organization Letters Replies ICMCA,
1967-1969 |
| 20 | | Correspondence General,
1968 |
| 21 | | Business Correspondence,
1968 |
| 22 | | Request for Material,
1968 |
| 23 | | Correspondence - Misc.,
1968-1975 |
| 24 | | MEMOS Communication: Shaw, Don ICMCA,
1969 |
| 25 | | Correspondence,
1969 |
| Box | Folder |
| 4 | 26 | | Correspondence,
1969 |
| 27 | | Correspondence,
1969-1970 |
| 28 | | Correspondence,
1970-1971 |
| 29 | | Correspondence,
1970-1971 |
| 30 | | Correspondence Requests for info. and Replies,
1970-1971 |
| 31 | | Inter-Organization Correspondence ICMCA,
1970-1971 |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series A: Communications and Mailings |
| Box | Folder |
| 5 | 32 | | Illinois Citizens for the Medical Control of Abortion Intro. Letter Mailing,
1966 |
| 33 | | Original M.D. Letter (ICMCA),
1966 |
| 34 | | Newsletter #1,
1967 |
| 35 | | Newsletter #2,
1967 |
| 36 | | Newsletter #3,
1967 |
| 37 | | Newsletter #4,
1968 |
| 38 | | ICMCA Journal # 5,
1968 |
| 39 | | ICMCA Journal #6,
1968 |
| 40 | | Press Releases,
1970 |
| 41 | | News Releases 1970-1971 |
| 42 | | January 22 Publicity,
1976 |
| 43 | | Newsletter [drafts],
undated |
| 44 | | Newsletter [drafts],
undated |
| 45 | | Brochure - Early Draft,
undated |
| 46 | | Sample Letters [legislators],
undated |
| 47 | | Pamphlets, Brochures,
undated |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series II - Events and Activities
|
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series A: Publications, public activities, event planning |
| Box | Folder |
| 6 | 48 | | Speaking Engagements - Past,
1967-1969 |
| 49 | | Dinner,
1969 |
| 50 | | Carbondale, IL,
1969 |
| 51 | | Edwardsville East St. Louis,
1969 |
| 52 | | Moline, Rock Island,
1969 |
| 53 | | Peoria, IL,
1969 |
| 54 | | Rockford,
1969 |
| 55 | | Requests to Speak - Future,
1969-1970 |
| 56 | | PLANS FOR ACTION,
1970 |
| 57 | | Workshops and Activities for 1970 Campaign,
1970 |
| 58 | | ICMCA. Abortion, a Private Concern,
undated |
| 59 | | IL Abortion Law Should be Repealed,
undated |
| 60 | | ICMCA Babies Cost Money!,
undated |
| 61 | | ICMCA Collage on Abortion Letters,
undated |
| 62 | | ICMCA Fact Sheet - Legal Status of Abortion,
undated |
| 63 | | ICMCA. Graphic Sheet on Abortion,
undated |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series B: Legal/Legislative Records |
| Box | Folder |
| 7 | 64 | | IL Abortion Law,
1967-? |
| 65 | | Testimony, Family Study Commission,
1968 |
| 66 | | Legal,
1968 |
| 67 | | Rayson, Leland. [article by state representative],
1968 |
| 68 | | Rayson, Leland. House Bill 634,
1969 |
| 69 | | Testimony, Public Welfare Committee [Lonny Myers],
1969 |
| 70 | | Testimony, Family Study Commission [Lonny Myers],
1969 |
| 71 | | Legislator Letter,
1969 |
| 72 | | Answers - Representatives,
1969 |
| 73 | | Testimony, Senate Judiciary Committee [Lonny Myers],
1969-1970 |
| 74 | | Legislature - Ill.,
undated |
| 75 | | Legislative Workshop [ARA],
undated |
| 76 | | Act to Amend Section 16A,
undated |
| 77 | | Packwood, Senator Robert [tax legislation],
undated |
| 78 | | IL Family Study Commission, Recommendations to,
undated |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series C: Abortion Conferences |
| Box | Folder |
| 8 | 79 | | Kennedy International Conference on Abortion,
1967 |
| 80 | | The Right of the Fetus to be Born [conference paper; International Conference on Abortion],
1967 |
| 81 | | University of Chicago Conference,
1968 |
| 82 | | University of Chicago Conference, Conference Papers,
1968 |
| 83 | | University of Chicago Conference, Conference Papers,
1968 |
| 84 | | California Conference on Abortion,
1968 |
| 85 | | First National Conference on Abortion: Modification or Repeal?,
1969 |
| 86 | | Requests for Speeches from National Conference,
1969 |
| 87 | | National Conference Speeches,
1969 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Series III - Subject Files.
|
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series A: Other Abortion Organizations |
| Box | Folder |
| 9 | 88 | | Abortion Reform Association,
1969-1969 |
| 89 | | Abortion Rights Association,
1969 |
| 90 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Correspondence,
1966-1968 |
| 91 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Publication lists, newsletters,
1966-1968 |
| 92 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Board Correspondence,
1968 |
| 93 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Newsletter,
1968 |
| 94 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Newsletter,
1968 |
| 95 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Newsletter,
1968 |
| 96 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Newsletter,
1968 |
| 97 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Analysis of Abortion Laws,
1969 |
| 98 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Newsletter, Correspondence,
1969 |
| 99 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Article Reprints,
1969 |
| 100 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Newsletter,
1969 |
| 101 | | Association for the Study of Abortion - Pamphlets,
undated |
| Box | Folder |
| 10 | 102 | | California Committee on Therapeutic Abortion - Newsletter,
1969 |
| 103 | | Clergy and Lay Advocates for Hospital Abortion Performance,
1970 |
| 104 | | National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws - Communications,
1969 |
| 105 | | National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws - Newsletter,
1970 |
| 106 | | National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws - Planning Committee,
undated |
| 107 | | National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws - National Abortion Laws,
undated |
| 108 | | Society for Humane Abortion - Newsletter - News clippings, publications,
1970 |
| 109 | | Women's Abortion Coalition,
1971-1972 |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series B: Other Abortion Rights Organizations |
| Box | Folder |
| 11 | 110 | | National Organizations - Positions on Abortion Law,
1968 |
| 111 | | Allerton Commission,
1968 |
| 112 | | American Association of Medical Assistants,
1968 |
| 113 | | American Association of University Women, IL Division,
1970 |
| 114 | | American Civil Liberties Union,
1970 |
| 115 | | Americans for Democratic Action,
1966-1967 |
| 116 | | American Law Institute,
undated |
| 117 | | American Medical Association - Human Reproduction Commission,
1965-1967 |
| 118 | | American Protestant Hospital Association,
1970 |
| 119 | | Association for Voluntary Sterilization,
1969 |
| 120 | | American Public Health Association,
1968 |
| 121 | | Baptist,
1968-1969 |
| 122 | | Business Executives Move for Peace in Vietnam,
1970 |
| 123 | | Catholic Position,
1966-1967 |
| 124 | | Catholic Articles and Publications,
1967-1968 |
| 125 | | Catholic Attitudes,
1968 |
| 126 | | Chicago Hospital Council,
1965 |
| 127 | | Citizens Advisory Council on the Status of Women,
1968 |
| 128 | | City Club,
1967-1968 |
| 129 | | Council of Medical Service,
undated |
| 130 | | Hugh Moore Fund,
undated |
| 131 | | Humanist Student Union,
1966-1970 |
| 132 | | Illinois Association of Maternal and Child Health,
1967-1968 |
| 133 | | Illinois Bar Association,
1967 |
| 134 | | Illinois State Medical Society,
1966 |
| Box | Folder |
| 12 | 135 | | Illinois State Medical Society,
1968 |
| 136 | | Illinois State Medical Society,
undated |
| 137 | | Judaism,
1965 |
| 138 | | Medical Committee for Human Rights,
undated |
| 139 | | New York Academy of Medicine,
1966 |
| 140 | | New Yorkers for Abortion Law Repeal,
undated |
| 141 | | New York Civil Liberties Union,
1966 |
| 142 | | Northern Illinois Conference of United Methodist Church,
1969-1970 |
| 143 | | Organizations for Abortion Law Reform,
1968 |
| 144 | | Pediatric Position on Abortion,
1967 |
| 145 | | Planned Parenthood,
1968 |
| 146 | | Planned Parenthood,
1969 |
| 147 | | Psychiatric Position on Abortion,
1966 |
| 148 | | Psychiatric Position on Abortion,
1966-1968 |
| 149 | | Psychiatric Position on Abortion,
1967 |
| 150 | | Psychiatric Aspects of Abortion,
undated |
| 151 | | Psychologists for Social Action,
undated |
| 152 | | Protestantism,
1967 |
| 153 | | Ripon Society,
1970 |
| 154 | | Unitarians,
1966-1967 |
| 155 | | Unitarians,
1968 |
| 156 | | Washington State Medical Association,
1969 |
| 157 | | Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago,
1969 |
| 158 | | Women's Bar Association of Illinois,
1969 |
| 159 | | YWCA,
1969 |
| 160 | | Zero Population Growth,
Inc.1969-1970 |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series C: States and Other Countries |
| Box | Folder |
| 13 | 161 | | Summary of State Abortion Laws,
1969 |
| 162 | | Checklist of Abortion Laws in the US,
1969-1970 |
| 163 | | Abortion Laws,
1969 |
| 164 | | California,
1967-69 |
| 165 | | California,
1967-69 |
| 166 | | California,
1968 |
| 167 | | California - Abortion Classes,
undated |
| 168 | | Colorado,
1969 |
| 169 | | Connecticut,
1967-1968 |
| 170 | | Florida,
1969 |
| 171 | | Georgia,
undated |
| 172 | | Maryland,
1969-1969 |
| 173 | | Minnesota,
1968-1969 |
| 174 | | Nevada,
1969-1969 |
| 175 | | New York,
1968-1969 |
| 176 | | Ohio,
1967 |
| 177 | | Oklahoma,
1969 |
| 178 | | Oregon,
1969 |
| 179 | | Pennsylvania,
1970 |
| 180 | | Canada,
undated |
| 181 | | England,
1967 |
| 182 | | Japan,
undated |
| 183 | | Sweden,
1967 |
| 184 | | Sweden,
undated |
| 185 | | Eastern Europe,
1967 |
| Box | Folder |
| | Sub-series D: Subject Files |
| Box | Folder |
| 14 | 186 | | Abortion,
1963-1964 |
| 187 | | Sermon,
1964 |
| 188 | | Abortion, Birth Control,
1964-1968 |
| 189 | | Abortion, Birth Control, Population,
1964-1969 |
| 190 | | American Indians, Adoption,
1965 |
| 191 | | Therapeutic Abortion,
1965 |
| 192 | | Therapeutic Abortion,
1965 |
| 193 | | Abortion, Law,
1965 |
| 194 | | Population,
1965-1976 |
| 195 | | Abortion Views,
1966 |
| 196 | | Abortion Statistics,
1966 |
| 197 | | Sermon on Margaret Sanger,
1966 |
| 198 | | Hospital Policy,
1966 |
| 199 | | Abortion, Medicine,
1966 |
| 200 | | Abortion, W.J. Bryan Henrie,
1966-1967 |
| 201 | | Abortion, Family Planning, Medicine,
1966-1968 |
| 202 | | Birth Control,
1966-1968 |
| 203 | | Abortion, Law,
1967 |
| 204 | | Abortion, Religion,
1967 |
| 205 | | Abortion, Hospitals,
1967 |
| 206 | | Abortion,
1967 |
| 207 | | Population Control, Religion,
1967 |
| 208 | | Post-natal Care,
1967 |
| Box | Folder |
| 15 | 209 | | Abortion,
1967 |
| 210 | | Abortion, Religion, Law,
1967 |
| 211 | | Abortion, Birth Control, Women's Liberation, Ethics,
1967-1970 |
| 212 | | Abortion,
1968 |
| 213 | | Abortion, Unwanted Pregnancy,
1968 |
| 214 | | Genetics,
1968 |
| 215 | | Abortion, Birth Control, Bill Baird,
1968 |
| 216 | | Unwanted Pregnancy,
1968 |
| 217 | | Abortion,
1968 |
| 218 | | Birth Control,
1968 |
| 219 | | Population Control,
1968 |
| 220 | | Abortion Counseling,
1968 |
| 221 | | Abortion, Law,
1968 |
| 222 | | Abortion, Law,
1968 |
| 223 | | Birth Control, Bill Baird,
1968 |
| 224 | | Medicine, Ethics,
1968 |
| 225 | | Foster Children,
1968 |
| 226 | | Abortion, Law,
1968 |
| 227 | | Abortion, Unwanted Pregnancy, Medicine, Law,
1968-1969 |
| 228 | | Abortion, Lonny Myers, Law,
1968-1969 |
| 229 | | Abortion,
1968-1970 |
| 230 | | Abortion - articles from Playboy Magazine,
1968-1971 |
| 231 | | Abortion - articles from Playboy Magazine,
1970-1971 |
| 232 | | Abortion, Abortion Counseling,
1969 |
| 233 | | Law, Terminology,
1969 |
| Box | Folder |
| 16 | 234 | | Abortion, Homosexuality,
1969 |
| 235 | | Abortion, Law, Oklahoma,
1969 |
| 236 | | Abortion, Law,
1969 |
| 237 | | Non-hospital Abortion,
1969 |
| 238 | | Abortion, editorial,
1969 |
| 239 | | Abortion Law Repeal,
1970 |
| 240 | | Abortion, Medicine,
1970 |
| 241 | | Abortion Polls and Surveys,
1970 |
| 242 | | Roy Lucas,
1970 |
| 243 | | Environment, Population,
1970 |
| 244 | | Abortion, Religion,
1970 |
| 245 | | Abortion, Law,
1970 |
| 246 | | Abortion,
1970 |
| 247 | | Unwanted Pregnancy,
1970 |
| 248 | | Abortion,
1970 |
| 249 | | Abortion, State Laws,
1970 |
| 250 | | Abortion Method,
1970 |
| 251 | | Abortion, Sex Education,
1970-1971 |
| 252 | | Abortion, Law, Religion,
1970-1975 |
| 253 | | Federal Abortion Report,
1972 |
| 254 | | Abortion Law Reform,
undated |
| 255 | | Abortion, Civil Rights,
undated |
| 256 | | Abortion Law,
undated |
| 257 | | Abortion,
undated |
| 258 | | Biology, Science,
undated |
| 259 | | Abortion Law,
undated |
| 260 | | Abortion, Politics,
undated |
| 261 | | Abortion Methods,
undated |
| 262 | | Population Control,
undated |
