Meet Kristan Hawkins, the “Charlie Kirk of Abortion”
This story is part of the Life After Roe package, appearing this week, which looks at the surprising resilience of the abortion access movement in the Dobbs era—and at how hardliners are doubling down on their efforts to ban abortion nationwide. This spring, the Mother Jones team heard a lot of talking points from anti-abortion […]
Kristan Hawkins, often dubbed as the modern-day "Charlie Kirk of Abortion," remains a central figure in the anti-abortion movement despite the shifting tides. Hawkins has been leading Students for Life of America for twenty years, and her influence has grown since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision overturned Roe v.
Wade in 2022. Born out of her friendship with fellow activist Charlie Kirk, Hawkins has become a powerful voice in mobilizing conservative students to support hardline politicians and push for stricter abortion restrictions.
Despite the initial success of her strategies, Hawkins has encountered new challenges. The rise of abortion pill access has put a dent in her movement's goals, while a more radical faction within her own group now seeks to punish women for having abortions. Furthermore, Hawkins is finding it harder to connect with her primary target demographic: young women who are becoming increasingly progressive.
Hawkins insists that her mission goes beyond merely changing the law; she aims to render abortion unthinkable, which necessitates altering societal norms, particularly among progressive women.
During our recent visit to Hawkins, we observed her efforts to defend her extreme views, even as she finds herself at odds with the majority of Americans. Hawkins' journey offers an insightful and unsettling glimpse into the anti-abortion movement at a crucial juncture, as it navigates the political landscape in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
