At first glance, birth control may not seem like an issue that can completely transform society. The history of birth control has been a long and messy one, but as the 50th anniversary of birth control comes and goes, it is clear to see just how far society has come and how far it still has to go.

June 7, was the 50th anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state's prohibition of the use of contraceptives. Estelle Griswold, a pioneering activist and executive director of Connecticut's Planned Parenthood, was arrested in 1962 for illegally providing birth control at a clinic in New Haven. She was convicted, fined $100 and her clinic was shut down. Yet after a lengthy trial, her cause reached the highest court in the country and eventually Griswold v. Connecticut legalized birth control for married couples on the federal level. Griswold's victory led to the Eisenstadt v. Baird ruling, which expanded this right for single women by 1972.

Despite the relatively recent victories in birth control for women, this is a battle that has been going on for centuries. Even in ancient times there are accounts of men using make-shift condoms and women using homemade pessaries in order to prevent pregnancy. However, just as modern contraceptives became mainstream, factions of society began a crusade against the concept of birth control. The Comstock Act, passed in 1873, banned the proliferation of information concerning contraceptives in the States, even for medical purposes. This was finally overturned in 1937, when contraceptives were seen as a legitimate medical practice. Following the change in legislation, the number of birth control clinics in America skyrocketed from 55 in 1930 to 800 in 1942.

Today, 99% of women, both married and single, of childbearing age report using regular contraception. The availability of birth control is one of the most critical challenges in society today because it leads to significant improvements in the lives of women as well as in society as a whole.

Birth control is an essential tool in family planning and the prevention of unwanted teen pregnancies. Since the mainstream availability of oral contraception, the rate of teenage pregnancy in the United States has fallen to a record low. Studies also show that rates of unprotected sex do not increase with easier access to contraception. Birth control is the best option when it comes to preventing teenage pregnancy, but only if it is readily available to everyone regardless of where they live and what their income is. There are still a lot of misconceptions when it comes to birth control, specifically among teens. A recent study shows that 60% of teens incorrectly believe that birth control is less effective than it really is --a misconception commonly taught in abstinence-only education environments. Birth control is an effective method, but it will only reach its full potential once people become educated about the benefits.

Following family planning, birth control has also led to great strides in education for women. Birth control becomes a critical economic issue for the women that rely on it to delay childbearing in order to further their careers and plan financially for a family. A recent study states that the majority of women on oral contraceptives say they need it in order to finish their education, keep their job, or financially support their families.

Birth control's potentially most critical contribution to society is its wealth of health benefits. Each year, women die from pregnancy-related causes and unsafe abortions. According to worldwide estimates, at least 200,000 of these deaths can be traced back to the failure or lack of contraceptives. Many women take birth control in order to prevent ovarian cysts or regulate painful menstrual cycles. If women take birth control as a method to space out pregnancies, it is less likely that their child will be born prematurely or with birth complications. The Center for Disease Control declared the development of modern contraception to be one of the 10 most important public health achievements of the 20th century.

With all of the clearly visible benefits that come from birth control, Griswold's significant contribution is far from forgotten, she has been inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame and is still celebrated for her efforts. This year, Planned Parenthood initiated the #Griswold50 hashtag campaign so that women could express their gratitude for the multitude of benefits they have reaped thanks to the noted activist.

However, the battle is far from being won. Despite that the international community recognizes family planning as a fundamental human right, this is not being realized across the globe. A report from the Guttmacher Institute found that over 222 million women in developing areas want access to birth control that they still do not have.

Even in the United States there are constant pushes to restrict access. Despite the impressive strides by the Affordable Care Act, many women still struggle to get the necessary contraceptives. The rise of "conscience clauses" and the controversial Burwell v. Hobby Lobby ruling means that hospital employees and employers with religious views can deny contraception. Additionally, the millions of women who are uninsured cannot afford the type of birth control that best suits their needs. Apart from the cost, the stigma surrounding reproductive health continues to be a serious deterrent for young women.

Women's preventative care is basic health care. Society's mentality towards reproductive health is shifting, but not fast enough. Studies show that 70% of Americans believe that insurance companies should cover the full cost of birth control. In order to take full advantage of the benefits, people need to recognize their significance and be willing to fight for it as Griswold once did in order to pave the way to a brighter future.