Dr. Charla Hathaway

I had an abortion before it was legal

Added 2022-06-27 22:02:51 +0000 UTC

Dear Pioneers of Passion!

Age brings bravery. At Portland’s women’s rally, I hold up a sign, “I had an Abortion before Roe v Wade, Ask me about it.” Others at the rally—Strangers?—catch my eye, nod their approval with hands on heart, giving me the 'thumbs up' and smiling through their masks. “May I have a hug?” many ask, and many offer their abortion stories. "I love you, I admire you, thank you for being here,.” Gee, these strangers are kinder to me than my real sisters.

I realize how many women had a harder time than I--hearing their stories of back alley abortions, and the next day being refused care at the Catholic hospital, or police showing up at the door to arrest them. I say to many men, face to face, "Thank you for being here, We need you!"

My mother, fifty years ago, held my hand through my illegal hotel-room abortion. How many women have that support? After the procedure (lasting only a few minutes), I HAD MY LIFE BACK. I could graduate college, become a teacher, and 10 years later, a mother—and a good one. How can families be free and strong if they can’t decide when to have a child? A woman knows when it’s the right time. Why can't we trust her?

Charla at Portland’s Rally to protect abortion rights. March 2022