SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — Although it was known the Supreme Court could decide to overturn Roe v. Wade, Friday’s news still came as a shock to many, including one woman who was on the front lines of the abortion-rights protests for decades.

“I cannot believe that this has happened, that somebody could turn over Roe v. Wade," said 93-year-old Jackie Ashton. "I cannot figure it out."

She's struggling to wrap her head around what she’s hearing.

“It's just unbelievable if they can overturn this, something that’s been legal for all this time,” Ashton said.

A woman's right to an abortion is something Ashton spent years fighting for, after an experience she went through back in 1941 when she was 12 years old.

“My mother had an illegal abortion that went wrong and she was in the hospital quite a while,” said Ashton. “And that I think was the start of me working on women’s rights.”

For decades, Ashton fought for women’s rights – marching in rallies and protests locally and nationally.

“I really thought I have to inspire other women to get out there,” said Ashton. “If we don't take charge ourselves, nobody's going to help us. We have to do it ourselves.”

The Spencerport mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother was on the front lines of the women’s rights movement – paving the way for the women who come after her.

“Look, I say to these young people, ‘look back and see what your mother or grandmother had to do to keep these rights for you,’" said Ashton, "They don't know what we went through. Marching in the street and having people call us at midnight, 1 o'clock in the morning, threaten us. I mean, I used to get five or six threats a week.”

“We marched and I thought that was the end of it,” said Ashton. “I just kind of thought Roe v. Wade was always going to be protected.”

Asked if she feels her work has been undone, Ashton answered, “Yes. Yes. That was my first feeling today. And not only undone, but I said, ‘oh, do I have to go through this all over again? Do I have to inspire other women to come out? Do I have to get out there myself?’ I will if I have to. I have a walker but I'd get out there – can’t march far.

“Vote smartly. Because if we don’t, we’re going to lose more rights.”