Like many of you, I woke up devastated, but resolved to continue our fight for reproductive freedom.
In the wake of last night's horrifying news that the Supreme Court privately voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, I immediately thought of the life-changing experience a close friend shared with me. I asked her if she'd be willing to share it with you today:
"The year was 1970, just a month before abortion became legal in New York, but I couldn't wait. I was 18, young and alone. Through word of mouth, I found my way to two people performing illegal abortions in their apartment in another state. I got scared and tried to leave. The abortionist wouldn't let me go, possibly for fear of being arrested, and forced me to have the abortion in a dirty bathroom. It took another 18 years before I was emotionally ready to become a mom and have my daughter. Even then, I never got over it.
I've kept this to myself for half a century, but I share my story today because people need to be reminded of how it was before Roe. We must resolve to never return to the backrooms."
My friend lived through this trauma the year before I was born. Two decades later, when I faced down an unplanned pregnancy of my own, I was able to choose to have my oldest daughter with the support and resources of a local Planned Parenthood.
Thanks to the generations who fought for reproductive freedom before me, I had the right to choose and the support that every woman deserves when making such a consequential decision. Now, we must fight for the young women of today and tomorrow -- for their bodily autonomy, constitutional rights, and safety.
John, join me in this critical mission by pitching in today:
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!
