THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Graciela Olivarez

March 9, 1928 – September 19, 1987

“I am not impressed or persuaded by those who express concern for the low-income woman who may find herself carrying an unplanned pregnancy and for the future of the unplanned child …because the fact remains that in this affluent nation of ours, pregnant cattle and horses receive better health care than pregnant poor women. The poor cry out for justice and we respond with legalized abortion.”

Attorney and advocate. The first woman and the first Latina to graduate from the Notre Dame Law School, 1970. Served as director of the Community Services Administration during the Carter presidency, 1977. Charter member of the National Organization for Women (NOW)