Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.
I don’t remember how old I was when I knew that I was pro-choice. However, being pro-choice truly became personal when my mother told me and my sister that she had an abortion. She waited until we were adults to tell us. I could tell that it was something that she had been thinking about for a long time and finally got the courage to say at that moment. My mother told us that she had an abortion after I was born. My father had just been diagnosed with colon cancer and my mom felt she could not continue with the pregnancy. My father died a year later and I am saddened when I think about the conversation my parents had to have about my father’s impending death, and whether or not my mother could continue with the pregnancy and raise two small children by herself.
I saw a t-shirt a few years ago that said “I had an Abortion.” This slogan illustrates that people can be comfortable with their decision to seek abortion care and not be ashamed. My mother’s abortion was something that was difficult for her to share and something that she kept silent about for years. And because I won’t forget this, I will continue to fight for a woman’s right to choose.
–Submitted by Neci through our website
My decision to seek abortion care was made out of love, deep thought, and consideration. Some people want women to believe that abortion is shameful, but it is not. A woman’s decision should not be looked down upon. I love children; I have four children, and I am pro-choice. It is not an easy decision, but if an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy occurs, a woman should be able to choose abortion care if she pleases! Thank you to the doctors and people who fight so that we have this right.
–Submitted by Erica through our website