Abortion is not an uncommon experience; nearly one in four women will have an abortion in their lifetime. Yet social stigma silences these stories and prevents us from sharing our honest experiences out of fear, shame, guilt, or expectation.

Our culture expects us to be ashamed of abortion, particularly when our choices and experiences go against what’s deemed “acceptable” by our social circles — be it our families, communities, or spiritual and political leaders. Even for those who exist in a “safe” culture of choice where feelings of pride about the right to choose exist, silence remains. As common as abortion may be, women come to their decisions for their own justifiable reasons. Whether for medical or financial needs, attempts to mitigate abusive relationships, trauma from previous birth experience(s), pregnancy due to rape or incest, not wanting children or the desire keep one’s family its current size — it is her choice.

We hope you will find comfort in the fact that you are not alone, strength in the courage of other women’s decisions, and resources to support you. Importantly, we want this platform to be a safe place for individual stories that are not open to feedback, judgment or criticism. Because unless it’s your story, it’s not your story.