I was 24, newly married and unemployed; this is my story.

One would think that by 24 you'd be excited and happy about having a baby. Not so in my case. I was unprepared to be a mother and take on that kind of responsibility. My husband and I were figuring out married life and which career path to take. With no savings account we were also financially unprepared to bring a child into our lives.

After much thought and discussion we decided to have an abortion. At the time we felt we were being responsible, but our method of birth control failed. In the 70s it was not easy to get an abortion, but it was possible. What we had back then was a choice, and we chose to delay our family until we were ready on many levels. Today our young women are being stripped from having a choice and deciding on their path in life. This choice is being taken away by the politicians on the radical right. Imagine what would happen if one of these (male) politicians was forced to carry an unwanted child nine months due to rape or incest. And, what would become of this unwanted child? It seems they have created another problem.

I'm not sure what my life would look like today if we had not made that difficult decision, but I do know that we wouldn't have the two wonderful children we have today or a marriage that has lasted 48 years.

I'm devastated for the young women of today. They are being held hostage by radical religious leaders and the political climate of today. We fought for this fundamental right years ago and we have lost it. I guess it's time to stand up again.