If Kate Chopin were alive today, I think the current news event she would be most affected by would be women's right to abortion. Chopin believed in society's recognition that women had their own desires and choices when it came to their lives. With the attack on abortion rights by political stances of pro-choice and pro-life becoming increasingly addressed, women's rights are once again being threatened. Aside from religious beliefs or moral values, Chopin would see this subject as only the beginning if it were restricted. All of her female character's possessed the desire to be independent and be granted the ability to explore their right to make personal choices. For example, in her story The Awakening, Edna did not have many rights beyond her husband and lacked ownership of her own body. Women at this time were not even allowed the ability to chose when or when not to be pregnant. Chopin has a writer's voice that dignifies women for standing up for their beliefs and gives her female readers the encouragement to explore their beliefs without hesitation. She also tested the patriarchal establishment that was present in society at the time and even present in today's society. Since Pro-Life advocates stand against abortion and premarital sex, I believe Chopin would declare her stance as a Pro-Choice advocate. Based on her stories and I can see her being an advocate for reproductive rights. In addition to her own beliefs, she was raised by three independent and headstrong women who I'm sure taught her the value of her own bodily decisions. For this, I feel she would be an excellent defender of women's reproductive rights.
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