Carol Downer, Pioneering Feminist Activist, Dies at 91

Glendale, Calif. - Carol Downer, a trailblazing leader in the feminist women's health movement who made headlines for her role in the infamous "Great Yogurt Conspiracy" case, has passed away on January 13 at the age of 91.

Downer's death was confirmed by her daughter Angela Booth, who stated that she had suffered a heart attack a few weeks prior to her passing. The veteran activist took a stand against a seemingly innocuous issue - yogurt - when she was charged with practicing medicine without a license for dispensing it as a treatment for yeast infections.

However, Downer's passion and conviction took center stage in the late 1960s when she joined the abortion committee of her local chapter of the National Organization for Women. Having experienced an illegal abortion herself years earlier, she became determined to make sure others did not suffer the same fate.

Downer's advocacy work was a significant catalyst in changing the face of reproductive health. In collaboration with Harvey Karman, a renowned psychologist who had developed a safer and quicker technique for performing early-term abortions, Downer helped pave the way for a new era in women's healthcare.

The more traditional dilation and curettage method had been widely used until Karman's technique became an alternative, offering a healthier and less painful experience for women undergoing abortions. Through her tireless efforts, Carol Downer left an indelible mark on the feminist movement and women's rights, ensuring that future generations would benefit from her unwavering dedication to equality and empowerment.