Dr. George Tiller (1941 - 2009): Murdered Abortion Provider Remembered for Lifelong Dedication to Women's Reproductive Health

Dr. Tiller’s clinic is one of just three in the nation performing late-term abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy. His clinic was bombed in 1985. In 1993, Dr. Tiller survived an assassination attempt with gunshot wounds to both arms. Two years earlier, thousands of anti-abortion activists tried to block his clinic during the “Summer of Mercy” protests organized by the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue. He had recently asked prosecutors to increase legal action against anti-abortion activists who targeted the clinic.

The National Abortion Federation says Dr. Tiller is the eighth abortion provider or abortion clinic worker to be assassinated in the United States since 1977. Seventeen other abortion providers have been targeted with attempted murders.

President Obama said he is “shocked and outraged” by Tiller’s killing. Attorney General Eric Holder later announced he would order the deployment of US Marshals to protect abortion clinic and doctors across the nation.

In a statement, Tiller"s family said: “George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality heath care despite frequent threats and violence. We ask that he be remembered as a good husband, father and grandfather and a dedicated servant on behalf of the rights of women everywhere.”

Today we look at the life of Dr. George Tiller with five women who worked alongside him to uphold reproductive rights.

In Wichita, Kansas we are joined by two guests. Laura Shaneyfelt was one of Dr. Tiller’s attorneys in several legal efforts against his practice. And Dr. Shelley Sella is an Obstetrician/gynecologist who worked with Dr. Tiller in his clinic for the last seven years. They join us from just outside Wichita’s Reformation Lutheran Church, where Dr. Tiller was shot.

Joining us on the line from California is Dr. Susan Robinson. Along with Dr. Sella, she also worked in Dr. Tiller"s clinic. Dr. Robinson as a Gynecologist specializing in abortion care.

Joining us from Washington, D.C. is Ellie Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation. She worked with Dr. Tiller for more than two decades on the Clinic Defense Project to protect abortion clinics and prevent anti-abortion violence.

And here in the firehouse studio is Bonnie Scott Jones. She is a senior attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, which works to protect reproductive choice. She represented more than 2,000 of Dr. Tiller’s patients in a case seeking their medical records.

Laura Shaneyfelt, Attorney for Dr. Tiller.

Dr. Shelley Sella, Obstetrician/gynecologist who worked with Dr. Tiller in his clinic for the last seven years.

Dr. Susan Robinson, Gynecologist specializing in abortion care who has worked in Dr. Tiller’s clinic since 2005.

Bonnie Scott Jones, senior attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, which works to protect reproductive choice. She represented more than 2,000 of Dr. Tiller’s patients in a case seeking their medical records.

Ellie Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. She has worked with Dr. Tiller for more than two decades on the Clinic Defense Project to protect abortion clinics and prevent anti-abortion violence.

Dr. George Tiller, speaking in 2008, at an event organized by the Feminist Majority Foundation. Special thanks to Marc Bretzfelder.