Life, liberty and property—is abortion killing a life or is it the mother’s choice over her property?

That question was the focus of a press conference with Phyllis Schlafly, a leader in the fight against the Equal Rights Amendment, and Sarah Weddington, a defense attorney in the 1973 landmark United States Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision.

About 15 local and Chicago-area media representatives attended the conference held in the Holmes Student Center early Wednesday evening.

The women spoke in two 30-minute intervals, never being in the room at the same time.

“We do not spend time together other than on the stage,” Weddington said. Schlafly said she faced Weddington in debates “several times” previously.

Both women agreed biological facts can be used to support certain issues. Schlafly argued that when most abortions take place human characteristics are present. She said the heart is beating and the face and fingers have started to develop.

Weddington said the U.S. Constitution states “all persons born or naturalized as citizens” have legal rights, but there are no legal rights for the unborn.

Today’s college students take their right to legal abortions for granted, Weddington said, adding she hopes by debating the subject, more pro-choice people will voice their opinion.

On the other side of the question, Schlafly said she knows some people already have their minds made up about the abortion issue, but she hopes “to change some minds.”

In response to Weddington’s call for more effective, government-funded birth control, Schlafly said, “birth control is a private matter.” She opposed tax money for funding birth control, but supports preventative measures.

“I am against abortion, period,” Schlafly said. She rejected the idea that a fetus is a woman’s property because half of the fetus was created by a male.

Schlafly countered the issue of back alley abortions, saying, “Just a because someone is going to violate the law is no argument for not having the law.”

Weddington said women have a right to privacy and those opposed to abortion do not have the right to force others.

Schlafly said the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision “will be overturned eventually.” However, Weddington said she believes the decision will stand.