On Saturday, on the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I was flooded with memories. Memories of being in college, finding myself pregnant and terrified. Absolutely terrified. I was still a student and completely unprepared to be a mom.
But I knew it was my choice. Thanks to Roe, I had the constitutional right to choose.
While I chose to have my daughter, it was my choice, a choice every woman should be entitled and empowered to make.
Yet now, women across the country are as terrified as I was, but for a different reason. Terrified and furious.
Furious that 21 states are poised to ban or severely restrict their choice if 'Roe v Wade' is overturned. Furious that states like Texas, Mississippi have already passed legislation attacking womens' right to control their bodies and their futures. Furious that the U.S. Supreme Court has signaled its willingness to erode and erase the protections granted to women by Roe. And scared about what the world will look like if this happens.
If you are scared, I see you. I am too.
But we can't stay in that fear. We need to move into action. For all those scared 22-year-old college students. For the struggling families with wives or mothers' lives put at risk by pregnancy complications. For the survivors of rape who in many of these states will also be denied the right to end a pregnancy.
Our government has absolutely no justification to govern people's right to choose. That's why I'm going to continue fighting like hell to ensure the government stays out of decisions that should be made between doctors and their patients.
Kara Hahn is a lifelong Long Islander, social worker, county legislator, and candidate for Congress in NY-01. This open seat is a must win for Democrats to defend our majority in the House and continue driving progress in America, but we can't do it without your help. Make a recurring donation to sustain our movement for the long haul and send Kara to Congress!
