This story begins in early 1971. The Vietnam War raged on,
while the Civil Rights and Women’s Liberation movements continued their fight
against long-standing inequities in the United States.
Unmarried women faced significant discrimination when trying
to sign contracts or purchase property on their own. Abortion was not yet legal
except under very specific circumstances for adult women and not at all for
minors without parental consent.
At 15 years old, I found myself pregnant and being driven to
the doctor by my boyfriend for an abortion. He said this doctor would perform
the procedure without my mother’s permission, but I had to convince him that I
was mentally stable enough to make this decision on my own.
I was terrified and did not want an abortion. As I sat in
the room, trying to cover myself with the thin paper gown, I desperately tried
to think of something I could say to make the doctor refuse to perform the
procedure.
After an emotionless discussion and a very cold examination,
the doctor told me to get dressed and left the room.
A few minutes later, he returned. Speaking in the same flat
tone, he said, “I’m sorry, but you’re too far along for an abortion.”
I was overwhelmed with joy and immediately began to cry. I
now had to tell my boyfriend, who was waiting in the car. Knowing he would be
furious, I let him believe that my tears were because we couldn’t go through
with it.
A few months later, my daughter was born, marking the
beginning of my new life as a mother.
Now, 53 years later, the issue of abortion and women’s
reproductive rights is once again facing restrictions and is at risk of being
subjected to increased government control.
In 1971, I had no choice. If I had not been six months
pregnant, that doctor would have proceeded with the abortion, illegally and
against my wishes.
Implementing and upholding laws that protect women's rights
is essential for safeguarding our fundamental freedoms and opportunities. It
empowers us to make autonomous decisions about our lives and our bodies.
The choice must always be ours.