The History of Contraception and Implications for Policy and Law

Since its modernization in the 20th century, contraception has been used to liberate some and oppress others. The history and foundation of obstetrics, gynecology, nursing, midwifery, and public health all contain innumerable miscarriages of justice against poor communities and communities of color. This presentation will focus specifically on the foundations of modern contraception in the United States (US), and how cultural biases played a role and often continue to function in reproductive health care, law, and policy.

We hope you will join A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee (ASAFET), and Dr. Alspaugh for this important discussion as we prepare to celebrate World Contraception Day on September 26.

5:30- 6:00 – Wine reception and meet and greet with ASAFET Staff, board to learn more about the critical mission ASAFET provides women in our region

6:00 - 6:15 – Brief introductions

6:15-7:30 – Presentation and Q&A led by Dr. Amy Asplaugh

A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee removes barriers (e.g., cost, transportation, privacy, etc.) to contraception through education, outreach, and access to free birth control for anyone living in our 16-county region. ASAFET serves as a third-party payer on behalf of our clients, partnering with local healthcare providers to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the preventive birth control method of their choice. While the healthcare (e.g., pap smear) and contraceptives are free to our clients, your contributions allow us to make this happen. Please consider donating - it makes a huge difference in the lives of East Tennesseans. For more information about the critical support we provide, visit our website

Dr. Alspaugh is a Nurse Scientist and a Certified Nurse-Midwife. She earned a PhD in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina and an MSN in Nursing from Vanderbilt University. Additionally, she received a BS in History from Haverford College. She was a postdoctoral scholar with the ACTIONS Program at the School of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco prior to starting at UTK. She teaches in the undergraduate program at the University of Tennessee, College of Nursing. Her areas of research areas include: the reproductive health needs and priorities of marginalized and understudied communities and how structural interventions improve health outcomes; the reproductive health among people with the capacity for pregnancy age 35 and older; the midwifery workforce; nursing and abortion care and; advancing dialogue about universal health care. Dr. Alspaugh is a contributing editor at the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health and a reviewer for numerous healthcare journals.

Can't attend, but want to support the critical work of A Step Ahead?
Please consider a donation. Here’s how your contribution helps:
• $25 covers the cost of transportation to and from an ASAFET clinic partner to access birth control.
• $50 provides educational materials and resources to women seeking information about their contraceptive options.
• $100 covers the cost of one year of birth control pills for one individual.
• $250 supports outreach programs that reach women in the most underserved areas of East Tennessee.
• $500 covers the cost of a long-acting method of birth control (i.e., IUD, subdermal implant) ensuring that an ASAFET client will not have to worry about unintended pregnancy for 3-12 years!

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