I Have Been So Lucky

“I fear that access to reproductive rights and access to safe and effective contraception has been stolen from women”

I have been so lucky…

because I never wanted to be pregnant, never wanted children, and never regretted or felt wistful about that decision. I have been so lucky because, having been born in the 1950’s, my whole “adult life”, I knew that I had a right to contraception and, should I become pregnant, had a right to a legal and safe abortion if needed. Or wanted.

Unlike some of my friends, I never did need to avail myself of that right or freedom. I know this isn't the personal story, or a compelling narrative, that you seek, but I would say that as a woman married 45 years, childless and happy with that decision, I feel deeply that every woman should have the same rights I enjoyed, until Roe vs. Wade was overturned; I fear that access to reproductive rights and access to safe and effective contraception has been stolen from women in Idaho, Texas, and so many other places, as a “punishment” to women– a way to control, criticize, cruelly harm and punish girls and women for merely being female. Many times, a man - never a woman - has said to me, “you don't have kids?” or “when are you starting your family?” “You better hurry up, you know, “the plumbing” will start to go”. I have never justified my view or behavior, but I did “wonder” if I was strange or weird or different from other women. Was I evolutionarily stilted or damaged or abnormal? I don’t believe so. Now, I am adamant that that society will not control me or “label me”. I will tell you who I am - if I wish - but you will not tell me who I am.