by Judith Ruiz-BranchPublic News Service
CHICAGO - March is Women’s History Month and an organization advocating for end-of-life reform is highlighting the significant role of women from Illinois in driving the movement.
The state recently became the first in the Midwest to legalize medical aid in dying.
Callie Riley, regional advocacy director for Compassion & Choices, said Illinois residents Suzy Flack and Deborah Robertson were instrumental in getting the legislation passed. Riley noted the bill is nicknamed “Deb's Law” because of Robertson, who served as a leader despite living with a rare form of cancer.
"The work we do is really driven by the stories of people who are directly impacted by both good end-of-life care and end-of-life care that falls short," Riley explained. "In my experience, so many of our storytellers, our volunteers, our leaders, our advocates are women."
Riley pointed out Flack became an advocate after witnessing her son, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, die peacefully and autonomously using medical aid in another state. Deb’s Law takes effect in Illinois in September.
Riley added the historical roots of the movement for better end-of-life-care dates back to the early HIV epidemic. Alternative care networks developed because people living with HIV and AIDS did not receive adequate care from the traditional medical system.
"It was predominantly women providing that care; queer women, straight women, people who knew and loved people who were living with HIV," Riley recounted. "To me, it's not surprising that has continued."
Riley stressed increased advocacy has created a dialogue about the importance of autonomy in end-of-life decisions, with supporters long pushing for medical aid in dying legislation in Illinois. It is currently legal in 12 other states.
