Written and directed by Wendy Eley Jackson, uncovers the powerful, long-overlooked story behind Doe v. Bolton led by civil rights attorney Margie Pitts Hames, the historic Supreme Court case that was decided on the same day as Roe v. Wade yet has been largely erased from public memory. While Roe became a national symbol, Doe quietly provided the broader legal framework that shaped reproductive rights for generations.
It’s never not a good time to take a look back at all the activists, attorneys and everyday people who fought for reproductive rights in the US, but even more so today when they would be outraged to see all their hard work being undermined by the current government. The Other Roe explores a sadly still intensely relevant point of not simply having the right to choose but having the access to make that choice. Doe v. Bolton challenged Georgia law which was regulating abortion by requiring women to get approval for the procedure from their personal physician, two consulting physicians, and from a committee at the admitting hospital. Making the abortion a very unlikely outcome, even when continuing the pregnancy could be fatal for the woman.
A concept that’s particularly relevant today, with many states in the US seemingly want to return to those days or eradicate that access to very necessary healthcare entirely. Wendy Eley Jackson undoubtedly achieves exactly what she set out to do with The Other Roe. Reminding viewers of the importance of these cases, how instrumental they were when it comes to women’s healthcare, and that they deserve your attention and appreciation. As well as that the name Margie Pitts Hames should be much more familiar, with most people probably being unaware of who she is and what she achieved.
Another great element to The Other Roe is demonstrating how Hames presented herself. With such a calm grace, and keen focus on the idea of family and freedoms. A style that may have been more accessible, although undoubtedly a key portion of the public will have likely still viewed it as radicalism. Jackson’s directorial style is modern and moves really well, the editing in particular is strong work, which makes it immediately captivating. The mix of talking heads and archive footage is also a great blend and balance.
The Other Roe has the clear intention to remind us of what’s at stake right now in the US, and it’s absolutely necessary. The work of people like Margie Pitts Hames to improve the lives of women and give them access to vital healthcare is being egregiously undermined and that has to be stopped. Wendy Eley Jackson’s short film goes straight to the point and makes a clear argument, it’s brief but effective and condenses down a much larger conversation into its sixteen minutes. The film also features a quote from Hames which particularly highlights how frustrating and upsetting it is to see such important access being revoked, having been said so many years ago, yet being sadly still very relevant today:
“I hope that we’re not headed for another era of repression of women. I have a nineteen year old daughter, she’s beautiful and I want her to be free, as I always wanted to be and I hope your daughters are too.”
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