occurred, and a policewoman, Sharon Dalton, who was the main witness and who stated that Downer had offered to perform an abortion for her. Downer had not even been at the clinic on the date that Dalton claimed they spoke, having flown to Portland, Oregon that day to conduct a workshop at an American Psychological Association conference. Nine hours of deliberation later, a jury made up of three black women, one white woman and eight white men acquitted Downer of all charges. Her attorneys successfully argued that the law was too vague and if it was truly followed, Downer and others would not have even been able to discuss a cold with a friend or "offer her a tissue." They went even further to point out that "half of the mothers in the county could be charged with diagnosing that their children had the measles." Impact The most significant impact that "The Great Yogurt Conspiracy" and trial had was that it brought national attention to the concept of self-examination. Both large and small newspapers covered the event, including Times Magazine, Newsweek, and the New York Times. After the trial, many self-help activists saw a significant increase in demand for plastic speculums and received more requests for self-help presentations. The trial was seen as a "great victory for self-help and for women taking control of their bodies." The case and trial set the precedent for other self-help clinics to operate legally. It revealed to the public how far authorities would go to eliminate the threat of self-help clinics - clinics which gave women control of their own health. Had Downer been convicted, it would have been a serious setback to the women's health movement. Awards Throughout Carol Downer's career, she has received multiple awards, such as: Outstanding Women Edition of Life Magazine in 1976. Women's Caucus of American Health Association in 1989 Wiley W. Manuel Award in 1994 Ms. Magazine in 1996 National Abortion Federation's, Christopher Tietze Humanitarian Award in 1998. Bibliography Women's Health The Virtual Oral Aural History Archive V O A H A at C S U L B Feminist Health Movement External links References 1933 births Living people American abortion-rights activists American women's rights activists American women lawyers American lawyers Women's health movement Activists from Oklahoma 21st-century American women