Thursday, January 30, 2025

Newsom grants pardon to woman who provided safe abortions in her 30s and 40s

Governor Gavin Newsom granted posthumous pardon to Laura Miner, a courageous reproductive healthcare provider in California

This Friday, the governor Gavin Newsom granted early clemency to Laura Miner, a courageous reproductive health care provider in California from 1934 to 1948 who dedicated her career to providing safe and accessible elective abortions at a time when punitive restrictions forced women to seek unregulated and often medically risky abortions. 

Miner was respected in the Mexican community as a highly skilled practitioner and cared for patients in need. 

In 1949, Miner was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for felony charges of abortion and conspiracy to commit abortions.