What does progressive mean?

>The cause [eugenics] became increasingly promoted by intellectuals of the Progressive Era.[5][6]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics_in_the_United_States

Progressive Christians

Going back to the topic of eugenics, since you posted a link about eugenics: the Catholic Church has been against eugenics since it first got popular, when the 30 states you mention legalized forced sterilization.

https://academic.oup.com/jah/article-abstract/103/2/498/1750...

Whether opposing eugenics is progressive or anti-progressive seems like a confusing topic to me.