Mary May McGee
Mary 'May' McGee was a pivotal figure in the fight for contraceptive rights in Ireland, best known for her landmark legal case in the 1970s that challenged the ban on contraception. Along with her husband Shay, she argued for the right to access contraceptives based on the principle of marital privacy and women's health, leading to significant legal reforms and cultural shifts around reproductive rights in the country. Her bravery and advocacy made her a feminist icon and a symbol of progress in the ongoing struggle for women's health and autonomy.
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Recent news mentions
May McGee struck a massive blow in the long struggle to release Irish women’s health from the stranglehold of Roman Catholic Church teaching.
May McGee’s achievement meant couples could have healthy sexual relationships without fear – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2025-11-01
Mary May McGee fought for contraception rights in Ireland, leading a landmark Supreme Court case that overturned a law banning contraceptives.
The woman who fought for contraception – and won – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-30
