1967
Pro-choice clergy in New York form the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion to assist women seeking abortions to find safe services. The founder, Reverend Howard Moody of Judson Memorial Church in New York, was an American Baptist minister. Within a year, the clergy service had 1,400 members throughout the nation.

1973
Mainline Protestant and Jewish leaders meet at the United Methodist Building in Washington, DC, to discuss the Roman Catholic Church’s pledge to overturn the new U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. This meeting, called by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, leads to the formation of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights (RCAR).

1974
RCAR adopts policy position on “conscience clauses,” stating publicly funded healthcare institutions—unlike individuals—have no legal right to refuse to provide abortion services.

1975
Twenty-four religious organizations were members of RCAR. Affiliates were active in eight states.

1984
Women of Color Partnership established as a vehicle for active involvement, as decision-makers, in the reproductive choice movement.

Interfaith service kicks off historic Washington, DC, march for women’s equality and women’s lives.

Religious organizations and Women of Color Partnership file amici curiae briefs in Supreme Court case Webster v. Reproductive Health Services.

1991
RCAR opposes mandatory parental consent and notification legislation as coercive and harmful to young women.

1992
March for Women’s Lives draws unprecedented witness of public support from top ranks of faith communities.

1993
RCAR broadens its mission and changed its name to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

1995
RCRC holds national conference, “Healing, Justice, and Renewal for Women,” in Pensacola, Florida, where two doctors and a clinic escort were murdered.

1996
RCRC convenes Faithful Witness for Choice convocations at both national political conventions.

1997
National pro-choice leaders gather for Faithful Witness for Choice convocation in Washington, DC.

RCRC begins its historic work to break the silence about sexuality issues in African American faith communities with the first National Black Religious Summit on Sexuality in Washington, DC.

1998
MultiCultural Programs Department and Field Services Department are established, signaling a new era of growth and expansion.

The Black Church Initiative is formed and launches “Keeping It Real!” for African American youth.

Clergy Advisory Committee is formed to guide the growing Clergy for Choice Network.

2000
RCRC commissions its first national poll on religion and choice, finding widespread support for decisions of conscience.

40 religious organizations join RCRC brief in Supreme Court case Stenberg v. Carhart.

RCRC convenes interfaith convocations at both national political conventions.

2001
Reproductive Freedom Leadership Forum held in Washington, DC.

RCRC Peaceful Presence counters Operation Save America in Wichita.

RCRC’s youth and young adult project, Spiritual Youth For Reproductive Freedom, begins mobilizing religious pro-choice young people.

First Latino Summit on Sexuality convened.

RCRC receives UN accreditation.

2002
South Africa Initiative launched in Cape Town, South Africa, to provide faith-based education on preventing HIV/AIDS.

Seminarians for Choice formed.

2003
30th anniversary celebrated throughout the year.

Washington D.C. legislative advocacy program begins.

Affiliate network grows to 25 affiliates in 22 states.

2004
Massive religious presence mobilizes on April 25 for the March for Women's Lives.

First Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom (SYRF) Student Summit held.

Affiliate network grows to 27 affiliates in 24 states.

RCRC active at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

2005
"Reproductive Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society" project is launched.

Call to Justice campaign begins, to expand religious pro-choice education and advocacy on judicial and legislative issues.

RCRC actively opposes the nomination of John Roberts as Supreme Court Chief Justice.

Brief submitted to U.S. Supreme Court in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, endorsed by 41 religious and religiously affiliated organizations.

2006
10th anniversary of National Black Religious Summit on Sexuality observed.

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