Amy Littlefield

Amy Littlefield is The Nation’s abortion access correspondent and a journalist who focuses on reproductive rights, healthcare, and religion. She is the author of the forthcoming book American Crusaders, a history of the anti-abortion movement over the last fifty years, to be published in 2026.

Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins

The Anti-Abortion Movement Gets a Dose of Post-“Roe” Reality The Anti-Abortion Movement Gets a Dose of Post-“Roe” Reality

A year after the Dobbs decision, some leaders in the movement are contending with the fact that abortion bans are more unpopular, and far less effective, than they expected.

Jun 28, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

“The Message They’ve Received Is That You Don’t Deserve to Be Cared For”: Life on the Abortion Borderland

“The Message They’ve Received Is That You Don’t Deserve to Be Cared For”: Life on the Abortion Borderland “The Message They’ve Received Is That You Don’t Deserve to Be Cared For”: Life on the Abortion Borderland

Patients seeking abortions are flooding across state lines—while anti-abortion activists try to shut clinics down.

Jun 23, 2023 / Feature / Amy Littlefield

Gloria Malone, one of the teen parents behind the No Teen Shame campaign

How a Scrappy Group of Young Moms Transformed the Way We Think About Teen Pregnancy How a Scrappy Group of Young Moms Transformed the Way We Think About Teen Pregnancy

Over a 10-year campaign, they talked back to public health experts, government officials, and even purported allies who were treating them like they were the problem.

May 12, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

Approximately 15 anti-abortion advocates stand outside the Supreme Court with signs opposing abortion.

The Poison Pill in the Mifepristone Lawsuit That Could Trigger a National Abortion Ban The Poison Pill in the Mifepristone Lawsuit That Could Trigger a National Abortion Ban

In their push for a nationwide abortion ban, anti-abortion groups and Republican officials alike seem to be embracing the idea of giving the Comstock Act new life.

Apr 26, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

Three protesters with signs reading

A Conservative Christian Judge Rules Against Medication Abortion. How Hard Will Democrats Fight Back? A Conservative Christian Judge Rules Against Medication Abortion. How Hard Will Democrats Fight Back?

Debate has erupted over how the Biden administration, blue states, and the abortion-rights movement should respond to this unprecedented decision.

Apr 11, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

A video still of Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk at his confirming hearing.

The Movement Behind the Judge and the Junk Science Poised to Block Access to Mifepristone The Movement Behind the Judge and the Junk Science Poised to Block Access to Mifepristone

Thanks to Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, the Christian right has found a court in Texas where it thinks it can win rulings that erode abortion access even in states keeping it legal.

Mar 16, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

Photos of Savita Halappanavar with the inscriptions

“She Had a Heartbeat Too”: Waiting for One Dead Woman “She Had a Heartbeat Too”: Waiting for One Dead Woman

In Ireland, the death of Savita Halappanavar, who developed sepsis after being denied an abortion, catalyzed a revolution in the country’s abortion laws. Will the same happen here?

Mar 14, 2023 / Amy Littlefield

Young people holding signs in protest of Florida's anti-trans legislation.

Fresh Off Victory Against “Roe,” the Religious Right Is Pushing a Record Number of Anti-Trans Bills Fresh Off Victory Against “Roe,” the Religious Right Is Pushing a Record Number of Anti-Trans Bills

The attacks on trans people echo the right’s anti-abortion playbook note for note. It’s up to us to recognize what’s really going on here.

Jan 31, 2023 / Amy Littlefield and Heron Greenesmith

Protesters outside the State Capitol in Austin, Texas

Cities and States Are Acting Fast to Blunt the Impact of “Dobbs” Cities and States Are Acting Fast to Blunt the Impact of “Dobbs”

In the first three months since the fall of Roe, there has been a record-setting flurry of legislation at the state and local level to promote abortion access.

Dec 1, 2022 / Amy Littlefield

Crowd at a rally for a ballot measure for reproductive rights in Michigan

Get Ready for More Ballot Initiatives to Restore Abortion Rights in Red States Get Ready for More Ballot Initiatives to Restore Abortion Rights in Red States

There’s a cavernous gap between public support for reproductive rights and the restrictions pushed by deep-red states. Ballot initiatives are one way to fight back.

Nov 17, 2022 / Amy Littlefield

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