[BRIEF NOTE] On Henry Morgentaler and 85 Harbord Street
Henry Morgentaler, a Canadian doctor who gained international recognition (and ignominy) for his fight for safe and legal abortion in Canada, died today.
Morgentaler emerged in 1969 as one of Canada's most controversial figures when he broke the law at the time, and opened the country's first abortion clinic in Montreal.
Over the next two decades, he would be heralded as a hero by some, and called a murderer by others as he fought to change Canada's abortion laws.
Morgentaler, who was born in Lodz, Poland, and came to Canada after the Second World War, emerged in 1967 as an advocate for the right of women to have abortion on demand - a polarizing issue in Canada. His abortion clinic in Montreal was followed by more clinics across the country.
"His work changed the legal landscape in Canada, and eventually led to the 1988 landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision that gave women the right to obtain abortion care," said Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation.
In August 2008, on the occasion of Morgentaler's successful (if controversial) nomination for membership in the Order of Canada, I posted a picture taken on Toronto's Harbord Street, near the University of Toronto campus, of 85 Harbord Street, the address that once hosted his clinic.
Now, in The Globe and Mail's words.
The story of this old Annex Victorian semi, among the storefronts on the south of Harbord, really begins on June 15, 1983, when Henry Morgentaler opened an abortion clinic. It was subjected to protests and pickets, and victories and defeats - for both sides of the debate. The drama might have ended in 1988, when the Supreme Court ruled that freestanding clinics were legal, but the rallies continued, reaching 3,000 strong. Harbord Street Cafe, at No. 87, closed shop, its windows papered over. A sign for The Way Inn took its place. The Toronto Women's Bookstore moved down the street. Then on Victoria Day weekend in 1992, an explosion by arsonists blew the wall out at No. 85. No one was ever charged. A small apartment is there now, next to Ms. Emma Designs at No. 87. Earlier this week, Dr. Morgentaler was named to the Order of Canada.
(85 Harbord Street is small. Look to the left edge of the photo. I thought it was hiding from me at the time I took the photo.)
Morgentaler emerged in 1969 as one of Canada's most controversial figures when he broke the law at the time, and opened the country's first abortion clinic in Montreal.
Over the next two decades, he would be heralded as a hero by some, and called a murderer by others as he fought to change Canada's abortion laws.
Morgentaler, who was born in Lodz, Poland, and came to Canada after the Second World War, emerged in 1967 as an advocate for the right of women to have abortion on demand - a polarizing issue in Canada. His abortion clinic in Montreal was followed by more clinics across the country.
"His work changed the legal landscape in Canada, and eventually led to the 1988 landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision that gave women the right to obtain abortion care," said Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation.
In August 2008, on the occasion of Morgentaler's successful (if controversial) nomination for membership in the Order of Canada, I posted a picture taken on Toronto's Harbord Street, near the University of Toronto campus, of 85 Harbord Street, the address that once hosted his clinic.
Now, in The Globe and Mail's words.
The story of this old Annex Victorian semi, among the storefronts on the south of Harbord, really begins on June 15, 1983, when Henry Morgentaler opened an abortion clinic. It was subjected to protests and pickets, and victories and defeats - for both sides of the debate. The drama might have ended in 1988, when the Supreme Court ruled that freestanding clinics were legal, but the rallies continued, reaching 3,000 strong. Harbord Street Cafe, at No. 87, closed shop, its windows papered over. A sign for The Way Inn took its place. The Toronto Women's Bookstore moved down the street. Then on Victoria Day weekend in 1992, an explosion by arsonists blew the wall out at No. 85. No one was ever charged. A small apartment is there now, next to Ms. Emma Designs at No. 87. Earlier this week, Dr. Morgentaler was named to the Order of Canada.
(85 Harbord Street is small. Look to the left edge of the photo. I thought it was hiding from me at the time I took the photo.)