LETTERS READ INCUBATOR XIX: How Activism Activates

From LETTERS READ by Nancy Sharon Collins

February 18, 2026 · 8 min · Season 10 · Episode 1

About this episode

This episode discusses Allyn Goff's activism in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

This mini-podcast introduces the 2026 and 10th anniversary season. Listen to this research outtake about how one Louisiana woman decided to take action about the first direct hit to overturn Roe v Wade and destroy abortion rights in the United States. Letters Read director first interviewed Allyn Goff in 2025 for the Terri Bartlett reading. Goff became close to Bartlett as they both worked tirelessly for reproductive rights in Louisiana. Allyn Goff joined NOW, National Organization for Women in 1989 and became president of the Louisiana chapter. In 1989, Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, a United States Supreme Court decision upheld a Missouri law imposing "restrictions on the use of state funds, facilities, and employees in performing, assisting with, or counseling an abortion. The Supreme Court in Webster allowed for states to legislate in an aspect that had previously been thought to be forbidden under Roe v. Wade (1973)." —wikipedia.org

People in this episode

Host: Nancy Sharon Collins

Guest: Allyn Goff

Topics covered

activism
reproductive rights
abortion rights
Louisiana
Supreme Court decisions
women's rights

Keywords

activism
reproductive rights
Louisiana
abortion
Supreme Court
NOW
Roe v. Wade
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Organization for Women

Books & works: Roe v. Wade

Places: Louisiana