Last month, a Missouri judge paved the way for abortion clinics to reopen across the state, marking a significant victory for reproductive rights advocates.
This ruling came after years of relentless activism and legal battles, culminating in the passage of Amendment 3 in November. However, the fight is far from over, as Republican legislators have vowed to challenge the amendment and reinstate restrictive abortion laws.
A precarious path to reproductive freedom
Missouri’s near total abortion ban, enacted after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, left women across the state with little to no access to abortion care. Despite the overwhelming barriers, activists including Dana Sandweiss of Access MO, a political action committee, and Ellen Alper of the National Council of Jewish Women in St. Louis (NCJWSTL) refused to back down. Their efforts, rooted in grassroots mobilization and faith-based advocacy, helped lay the groundwork for restoring reproductive rights in Missouri.
A personal mission: Dana Sandweiss’ journey
Sandweiss’ passion for reproductive rights stems from personal conviction and professional experience. A former corporate lawyer, she became increasingly involved in social justice issues, particularly reproductive freedom, after witnessing the impact of restrictive laws on women’s access to health care.
“I saw how access to abortion was being systematically eroded, and I knew I had to act,” said Sandweiss, 52, a mother of two college-age sons and a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth. “This isn’t just a political issue. It’s about dignity, health care and fundamental human rights.”
Her advocacy is deeply tied to her Jewish values. Jewish law and tradition emphasize the importance of protecting life and well-being, with many Jewish scholars affirming that life begins at birth, not conception. Sandweiss sees the fight for reproductive justice as a Jewish issue because it intersects with religious freedom and moral responsibility.
“The state should not dictate how I practice my faith when it comes to health care decisions,” she said. “For many of us, ensuring access to abortion is a way of upholding our values of justice and compassion.”
Alper echoes this sentiment.
“For Jewish advocates like us, reproductive justice is about ensuring that no one’s rights are dictated by someone else’s religious beliefs,” she said. “Our faith teaches us to fight for those who are vulnerable, and that includes those denied access to essential health care.”
The power of community and issue-based advocacy
While NCJWSTL, as a nonprofit, cannot endorse political candidates, it can educate voters on issues such as reproductive rights. Alper and Sandweiss, along with other Jewish activists including Vicki Singer, Colleen Millstone, Karen Handelman, Rose-Lynn Sokol, Wendy Alper-Pressman and Holly Bernstein, built Access MO into a formidable political force. Since its launch in 2019, the PAC has raised nearly $350,000 and supported pro-choice candidates across the state.
Sandweiss took the lead in organizing, recruiting board members and ensuring compliance with Missouri’s election laws. As a former board member of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis and a current member of the ACLU-MO board, she used her connections and expertise to amplify the PAC’s impact.
“She is a relationship person,” Alper said. “If you don’t have relationships, you can’t build a coalition.
“Dana entices supporters by making volunteering fun. You go where you feel good doing something. Volunteering shouldn’t be a ‘should.’ ”
NCJWSTL plays a crucial role in training advocates to communicate effectively with voters. Their approach emphasizes dialogue over division.
“We have to find a middle ground,” Alper said. “We can no longer be red or blue on reproductive health. Many voters don’t realize they elect candidates who don’t share their values. We help them make informed decisions from a faith-based perspective.”
The battle for Amendment 3
Restoring abortion rights in Missouri required overcoming significant legal and political hurdles. NCJWSTL and Access MO joined a nonpartisan coalition with the ACLU-MO and Abortion Action Missouri to push for a constitutional amendment. The process was grueling: collecting more than 380,000 signatures across Missouri’s 114 counties while navigating political and legal challenges designed to keep the measure off the ballot.
Sandweiss collected signatures outside public venues in St. Louis and at festivals across the state.
“I loved it,” she said. “I got out of the bubble and talked to all kinds of people. Young men and youths, too, were eager to support reproductive freedom.”
Sandweiss is now the board president for Access MO. To date, Access MO has supported more than 80 candidates statewide.
When Amendment 3 passed with a 51.6% majority, Sandweiss and Alper felt a mix of elation and exhaustion.
“We have so much gratitude that so many Missourians wanted this,” Sandweiss said.
The victory was a testament to the power of grassroots activism and faith-driven advocacy.
The fight continues
Despite the success of Amendment 3, Missouri’s Republican-controlled legislature wasted no time in attempting to undermine it. A court ruling recently overturned discriminatory licensing regulations that had prevented clinics from resuming abortion services post-Amendment 3. In response, Republican legislators vowed to introduce new measures to again restrict access.
Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, called the amendment “a dangerous step backward,” while Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, made it clear that the fight is far from over. Several bills have already been introduced to put abortion restrictions back on the ballot in the coming years.
Alper and Sandweiss are preparing for the next battle.
“We have to stay vigilant,” Alper said. “Some state legislators will try to undermine Amendment 3 in 2026. We need to be ready.”
Honoring the leaders of the movement
NCJWSTL will honor Sandweiss with its prestigious Hannah G. Solomon Founder’s Award at its annual Celebrating Women event April 3 at Shaare Emeth (for tickets, go to ncjwstl.org). The award recognizes individuals who have expanded the role of women in community life and inspired others to fight for change.
For Sandweiss, the honor is deeply meaningful, but her focus remains on the work ahead.
“This isn’t just about one election or one amendment,” she said. “This is about ensuring every Missourian has the right to make their own health care decisions, now and in the future.”
