Column Tells of Woman’s Experience with Abortion

This week, the Boston Phoenix ran a column from a woman describing her abortion experience. Although she is one of the 40 percent of American women who have had abortions by the time they’re 45 years old, she discusses why her story is one that is rarely told:

When pundits and politicians debate abortion, they often bring up the most unfortunate cases: rape or incest victims, or women with medical problems. The fact that these women risk losing the right to govern their own bodies is outrageous. So we end up fighting for those worst-case scenarios, which somehow makes what we might call the “normal” cases seem more cavalier. As if some cases are less essential, and therefore less justifiable, than others. Let’s be clear — it’s the circumstances that vary, not the validity of our decisions, nor our need for access to safe, legal abortions.

We know that women who share their abortion experiences can make a difference. NAF is committed to ensuring that voices of real women are part of the public debate about abortion. If you have had an abortion and would like to share your story visit: http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.