Protecting Our Right to Choose (How We Become Mothers)

I recently joined the board of advocates for Planned Parenthood and we were given a clinic tour Thursday evening. One woman on the board, who's probably in her 70s, shared with us her first experience with the organization.

She was 24, living in Minneapolis with a young daughter, and in need of long-term birth control (an IUD). She walked into a Planned Parenthood clinic and immediately noticed that all the women (wearing skirts and dresses of course) had brown paper bags at their feet. She was baffled until the receptionist handed her her own paper bag and told her to go to the restroom and remove her underpants. Ha! So she came back out and sat with her undies at her feet like everyone else. When it was her turn to be seen, she was taken to a room with 3 exam tables - get 'em in, get 'em out, I guess.

At first I thought it was a pretty funny story, but then I realized it could have been quite embarrassing and demeaning to be treated like that, just because a regular doctor's office was too expensive.

This woman also shared with us that her best friend had an illegal abortion before Roe v. Wade, and ended up in the hospital for quite a few days with a serious infection. She was never able to have children.

I think my generation (and younger) takes for granted the reproductive freedoms we've always known. Some anti-choice legislation that's been introduced around the country not only aims to criminalize safe, legal abortion, but are carefully worded to effectively outlaw many types of fertility treatments and even birth control. Abortion may not be a top-of-mind issue for you or your family, but the related effects of anti-choice laws could have far-reaching effects. So the next time you hear about a proposed law that involves women or children, listen up and get involved if it so moves you.