Several survivors of state-sponsored forced sterilization programs recently have told their stories with the aim of compelling states to acknowledge the extent of the initiatives, the Chicago Tribune/Wichita Eagle reports. About 65,000 people, most of whom were women, were involuntarily sterilized in the U.S. from the 1920s through the 1970s, according to Paul Lombardo, a professor at Georgia State University College of Law. Thirty-three states had established eugenics programs, and California, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia have conceded involvement in such programs -- which claimed that sterilizations could lead to the elimination of mental illness and genetic defects (Glanton, Chicago Tribune/Wichita Eagle, 9/11). North Carolina sterilized more than 7,600 people as part of its eugenics movement from 1929 through 1974. Gov. Mike Easley (D) in April 2003 created a committee -- the first of its kind nationwide -- to consider whether individuals who were sterilized under the law should be compensated. The committee recommended, and Easley approved in September 2003, provisions endorsing educational benefits, health care funding and other services for survivors. Easley also approved a recommendation to create a memorial honoring people who were sterilized and include information about the program in the state's history curriculum. State Rep. Larry Womble (D) last year filed a bill (HB 1607) that would provide $20,000 in compensation for each survivor of North Carolina's program (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/9/05). However, the bill was not approved. According to the Tribune/Eagle, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has not investigated about 70 inquiries from women who think they might have been sterilized under the program because of staffing shortages (Chicago Tribune/Wichita Eagle, 9/11).

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