But, she said, in the 1990s that distinction has essentially been forgotten by many extremists.
Mason said she was driven to devote herself to this topic in response to the abortion clinic shooting carried out by John Salvi in Brookline in 1994.
"I did some serious soul-searching about my motivation for writing on this topic...and I decided that I was serious about writing about this work," she said.
Mason concluded her speech by saying that through this book, she has begun to actively oppose "pro-life politics."
An extensive question and answer session followed the 45-minute speech.
"I think your analysis is right on," said Janet Gallagher, who is on a fellowship at the Divinity School.
"I thought it was so thought-provoking," said Nancy L. Nortenman. She said that Mason's speech had given her "fuel" for her to take her own stand on the topic.
"It's a fascinating topic," Nortenman added.
One audience member said the reason it is difficult to talk about "African-American pro-lifers" is because race plays a factor as well.
"The debate has been just so narrow," she said.
Audience member Jill Reynolds asked if the use of the term "pro-life" in Mason's speech empowered the antiabortion rights forces she discussed.
Mason wryly replied that she doesn't think that her work is going to empower the "pro-life" movement.
One audience member openly criticized Mason for excessively denouncing the anti-abortion movement.
In an interview after the event, Mason said she felt her view was not lopsided.
"I think there a lot of legitimate concerns being raised by right-wing forces and I think we should confront them or listen to them," Mason said.
Mason will cover many of the same topics at a lunch discussion at 12:30 today in the Bunting Common Room.
Mason is the 1998-99 Miller Fellow at the Bunting.
The Bunting Institute is an international, multidisciplinary center for advanced study for women.
Each year, 35 to 40 scholars, writers, artists, scientists and activists take time off from their home institutions to do research.
Mason's speech was part of the 1998-99 Colloquia Series at the Institute.