In 1975, just two years after Roe v. Wade enshrined constitutional protections for abortion, I was eighteen-years-old and struggling to build a life for myself.
My parents had moved to Texas, and I remained in New Mexico, where I hoped to attend college and start my career. For months, I worked twelve-hour night shifts and attended class during the day. I ran on four hours of sleep or less and was always falling behind in my work.
Finally, I decided that I would have to put my education on hold while I saved up the money to afford a degree. I began working full time at a drug store here in Albuquerque. After some time at that job, I began a relationship with my coworker at the time.
When I discovered I was pregnant, I knew that I could not afford a child and having one would trap me in a relationship and in a financial situation that I didn’t want. New Mexico did not have a single clinic that performed abortions at the time, so I drove to Texas for the procedure.
Because I was able to make that choice, I eventually married my wonderful husband and had two beautiful children. I received my degree in 1991 and had a long, successful career in accounting.
I have been able to make my life into what I want it to be, and now I’m committed to protecting that opportunity for every young New Mexican who deals with an unwanted pregnancy.
