The Abortion Diary

"We save lives." In this episode, Marva Sadler talks about her path to working in abortion care, what keeps her going to work every day, and reflects how her own abortion experience has shaped how she provides abortion care. Marva has worked with  for 13 years and in abortion healthcare for over 16 years. She was born in Detroit, and, since the age of three, raised and educated in Waco, Texas. Marva's passion for women's reproductive healthcare began on her first day of work in abortion care in 2005, when she was greeted by two abortion protestors. She believes that these people simply can not win. They convinced Marva that she had to fight for the rights of women. As an abortion provider in Texas, Marva is proud to have been an active part of the continued fight against the State of Texas' outrageous legislation and, currently, . Marva has also served on the Board of Directors.  Marva is married and is a mother of five sons, one daughter, and one puppy, Marley. This episode was made in collaboration with (ACN) and was recorded at their 2020 annual conference. ACN is a nonprofit membership organization for independent abortion clinics. Independent clinics — like Whole Women's Health, where Marva Sadler works — provide the majority of abortion care in the U.S. ACN provides the staff of those clinics with support, training, and resources. (Published on November 8, 2021 | Interviewer: Melissa Madera | Location: Louisville, KY) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help us continue our work and share our stories by .

“My ancestors are always with me.” In this episode, Oriaku Njoku talks about her path to becoming a reproductive justice leader, abortion advocate, and abortion funder in the Southeast. She shares her experience of doing this work as a Black Queer Femme in the South, and the importance of doing the work of abortion funding in and for community.  She also discusses why she always brings fun, love, and joy into the workplace every day, and what it means to create a cultural shift around abortion in the South. This episode was made in collaboration with the (ACN) and was recorded at their 2019 annual conference. ACN is a national association for independent community-based, abortion clinics and their allies. Abortion funds like , where Oriaku Njoku is the Co-Founder and Co-Director, supports people in accessing abortion care through funding, practical support, and advocacy.   Oriaku Njoku (she/they), is a first-generation, Black, Igbo, Nigerian-American, queer, fat, Southern femme living and loving in Atlanta, Georgia. As a Co-Founder and Co-Director of , she works at the intersection of abortion access and reproductive justice. She and her team at ARC-Southeast supports Southerners in navigating pathways to accessing safe, affordable, and compassionate abortion care through funding, logistics, and advocacy. Oriaku is deeply committed to finding joy and pleasure in everything she does and believes radical love is a core value that can be embodied and operationalized in movement spaces. She truly believes that we can and will create a cultural shift around how we address abortion in the South and invites you to join her in making reproductive justice a reality in our lifetimes.

"We care so much about our communities and the folks we serve." In this episode, Leah Coplon talks about her path to becoming an abortion care provider, how abortion fits into the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care, what it's really like in the clinic, and what it means to connect with other independent abortion care providers. This episode was made in collaboration with Abortion Care Network (ACN) and was recorded at their 2019 annual conference. ACN is a nonprofit membership organization for independent abortion clinics. Independent clinics — like Maine Family Planning, where Leah Coplon works — provide the majority of abortion care in the U.S. ACN provides the staff of those clinics with support, training, and resources.   Leah Coplon MPH, RN is the Program Director at Maine Family Planning, overseeing abortion care and strategizing for innovative ways of reaching rural patients to increase access to abortion, contraception, and transgender health services. Leah worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing at the University of New England. She has practiced full-scope midwifery, worked as a labor and delivery nurse, and has been in the field of reproductive health for over 25 years. Leah received a BA in sociology/anthropology from Carleton College and her BSN from the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science from Philadelphia University and a Master of Public Health from the University of New England and is board certified as a Nurse Midwife with the American College of Nurse Midwives.

“I want to fill that gap in our community.” In this episode, Dr. Nikia Grayson talks about her path to becoming a nurse-midwife, commitment to full spectrum reproductive heath care, and the importance of working in and with her community in Memphis, TN. This episode was made in collaboration with the Abortion Care Network (ACN) and was recorded at their 2019 annual conference. ACN is a national association for independent community-based, abortion clinics. Independent clinics like CHOICES, where Nikia Grayson is a nurse-midwife, care for the majority of people seeking abortion in the U.S. ACN provides the staff of those clinics with support, training, and resources. Nikia Grayson is a staff nurse-midwife at CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health. She has a deep commitment to providing compassionate, supportive, evidence-based holistic midwifery care to families in Memphis and continuing her career-long work in reproductive health, reproductive justice and birth justice. Nikia's goal is to give her patients all the options available to them and empower them in their ability to make medical decisions for themselves and their families. (Published on May 6, 2019)  

“We still have to go overseas to make sure we can get our bodies back.” C.G.C. shares her story of traveling from Galway, Ireland to Manchester, England for an abortion when she was 16 years old.  .  It is estimated that every day an average of 10 women travel from Ireland to Britain for an abortion.   On May 25th, voters in Ireland will vote on repealing its constitutional ban on abortion (the Eighth Amendment). (Published on May 10, 2018 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Galway, Ireland) We share stories. Help us continue to break the silence by donating now. 

“I know I did the right thing.” Sue shares her story of seeking an illegal abortion in 1965, 8 years before that landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which guarantees the right to safe and legal abortion in the United States. She also talks about her experiences in the Women's Movement, founding a women's theatre troupe (It's All Right To Be Woman Theatre), and directing a documentary about , a progressive Republican NY Assemblywoman who wrote the legislation that decriminalized abortion in New York State in 1970. (Published on January 24, 2018 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Ithaca, NY) We share stories. Help us continue to break the silence by donating now. The Help us continue our work and share our abortion stories by donating now (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

"I don't really know how to deal with this.  I don't think anyone really does because no one ever talks about it." Hunt shares her experience seeking an abortion in Louisiana. She talks about being lied to at a Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC), driving several hours to one of the few remaining abortion clinics in Louisiana, and the lack of affordable medical care in her community. She also shares her experience talking to some of her friends and family about her decision to get an abortion.  (Published on November 17, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Lafayette, LA) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help us continue our work and share our abortion stories by donating now () or become our patron on Patreon ().

"I wish mothers told daughters." Christina, a single mother, shares her story of seeking an abortion in Alabama. (Published on October 2, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Tuscaloosa, AL) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help us continue our work and share our abortion stories by donating now () or become our patron on Patreon ().

"We can be amazing supports for one another." Jael shares her experience of seeking an abortion in Montreal. (Published on September 8, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Ottawa, Canada) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help us continue our work and share our abortion stories by donating now () or become our patron on Patreon ().

“Hopefully, sharing my story and letting my daughter hear me speak about it somehow, someway might help her make different decisions.” Lisa shares her story of seeking an abortion as a freshman in college and also talks about her birth experiences in her thirties. She also discusses her abortion experience with her daughter on the podcast. (Published on August 15, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Farmington Hills, MI) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help us continue our work and share our abortion stories by donating now (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

“It's okay to have it be messy and still be messy in a way or still be processing.” Marisol shares her experience of having an abortion with the help of Women on Web () while she was working in Bangladesh. (Published on August 1, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New York, NY) Thanks for listening. Help us continue our work and share our stories by donating now () or become our patron on Patreon ().

“I feel like it's a scarlet A.” Jackie shares her story of traveling to Cincinnati, OH from Louisville, KY for an abortion, and talks about her experience working in public health in New Orleans, LA. (Published on June 8, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New Orleans, LA) Thanks for listening. Help us continue our work and share our stories by donating now () or become our patron on Patreon ().

"There still was a reluctance to say it out loud." Alison shares her experiences of seeking abortions at different times in her life. She also talks about of being a surviver of sexual assault. (Published on May 16, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Granville, OH) Thanks for listening. Help us continue our work and share our stories by donating now () or become our patron on Patreon ().

"I really wish that I had met him." Kristen shares her story of seeking an abortion in Atlanta, Ga after a fetal anomaly diagnosis. (Published on May 9, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Atlanta, GA) Thanks for listening. Help us continue our work and share our stories by  (http://bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon ().   

"I have felt very, very alone." Anonymous shares her experience seeking an abortion in Alabama, and talks about the post-abortion rituals she created for herself afterward.  (Published on April 20, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Tuscaloosa, AL) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by donating now:

"People need to know that they're not alone." Adriana shares her experience of seeking an abortion in Montréal. (Published on April 11, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by : bit.ly/2iiqvzp

"Women don't want to hide anymore." Anonymous shares her story of needing to travel to England from Northern Ireland for an abortion. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland. For more information about the abortion rights campaign in Northern Ireland, visit . (Published on March 30, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by donating now:

"I didn't want to buy into the stigma." Anonymous shares her pre-Roe adoption and abortion experiences. She also shares her experience searching for and reuniting with her daughter.   (Published on March 21, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Ithaca, NY)   Are you a fan of the podcast? Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by donating now:

"I thought that I was the only one." Cassandra shares her abortion experiences in Oklahoma. (Published on March 7, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Los Angeles, CA) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by donating now:

"It just wasn't a good time." Laura shares her experiences with abortion in the 1970s.  (Published on February 28, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Venice, FL) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by donating now:

"I wanted to be able to tell my own story." shares her abortion experience, and her journey of enlightenment after abortion, which she chronicles in her new book . (Published on February 21, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Boston, MA) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by : http://theabortiondiarypodcast.com/donate-abortion-stories/donors/

"It's really not straightforward."  Ellie shares the story of her abortion experience in Brighton, England.  (Published on February 14, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: London, England) Have you been listening to this podcast? Help us continue to break the silence by donating now: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

"It was a monumental, formative experience."  Alex shares her story of seeking an abortion in New York City. (Published on February 7, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New York, NY) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The us continue to break the silence and share our stories by donating now:

“I'm really glad I had that choice.” - Abby A. Abby shares her experiences seeking abortions in California at two very different times in her life.  (Published on January 31, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Santa Monica, CA) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The us continue to break the silence and share our stories by donating now: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

“Hello, this is Jane.” Judith Arcana shares her experiences as a Jane in The Abortion Counseling Service of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union (usually known as JANE*), the underground abortion service in Chicago.  From 1968-1973, JANE provided over 11,000 people safe and affordable abortions, and abortion counseling. In August 2014, I posted the recording of .  In this second interview, she talks about who performed abortions for Jane, how she learned to perform abortions, and how women were counseled by the service.  She offers us a history lesson and her wisdom, both of which we must learn from in these uncertain times. Judith Arcana is a writer – and a Jane, a member of the feminist underground service. She worked in the service for two years, and then taught classes on women's health and sexuality for the Women's Liberation School. Judith writes books, poems, stories, and essays, and hosts Poetry and Everything on KBOO community radio in Oregon on the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00 pm.  She published a fiction zine rooted in abortion service history, Keesha and Joanie and JANE. Visit Judith's website: http://www.juditharcana.com/home/ (Published on January 24, 2017| Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Portland, OR) *For more information about JANE read Judith's books, poems, and essays, and Laura Kaplan's book, The Story of Jane.

“Stigma silences people and it shuts them up.”  Elizabeth shares the abortion experiences she's had at different times in her life. (Published on January 17, 2017| Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: San Francisco, CA) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help us continue to break the silence by donating now: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

“I see it as one little aspect of a life full of events.” Katharina shares her experience of having an abortion in Jordan with the help of Women on Web (https://www.womenonweb.org/), and talks about her activist work with Ciocia Basia (), a Berlin based group that helps Polish women access abortion in Germany.  (Published on January 10, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Berlin, Germany) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by donating now: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

“I want to be okay with it for myself.”  Anonymous shares her story of seeking an abortion as a high school senior in the New York City.  (Published on January 3, 2017 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New York, NY) The Abortion Diary is free, but it takes money to keep it that way. Help The Abortion Diary continue its work and share our stories by : 

There isn't a new abortion diary entry this week. I'll be posting a new story on Tuesday, January 3rd, and return to our weekly schedule. Until then listen to over 140 stories that have already been posted on The Abortion Diary, and listen to the new audio mosaic (#142) of some Abortion Diary story-sharers talking about why they want to share their stories. Thank you for listening, and have a safe and happy New Years. ~ Melissa Help us continue to break the silence in 2017 by donating to The Abortion Diary today:

There isn't a new episode this week. I'll be posting a new story on Tuesday, January 3rd, and return to our weekly schedule. Until then listen to over 140 stories that have already been posted on The Abortion Diary, and listen to this new audio mosaic of some Abortion Diary story-sharers talking about why they want to share their stories. Thank you for listening, and have a safe and happy New Years.  ~ Melissa Help us continue to break the silence in 2017 by to The Abortion Diary today.

"I didn't think I was ever going to be in this situation." Kate, a minister, shares her story of seeking an abortion in rural Indiana. (Published on December 14, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Rural Indiana) Have you been listening to this podcast? Help us continue to break the silence by . 

"How can I ask women to share their own stories if I don't share my own?" Amy shares her stories of seeking abortions at two very different times in her life, and why she founded , Louisiana's abortion fund, in 2012.  She also shares her experience of being a surviver of sexual assault.  (Published on November 23, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New Orleans, LA) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help us continue our work and share our stories by . 

"It was such a defining moment in my life." Anonymous shares her abortion experience as a high school student in Boston, Massachusetts. (Published on October 19, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Granville, OH) Are you a fan of the podcast? Help us continue our work and share our stories by : http://theabortiondiary.com/donate-abortion-stories/donors/

"I was lucky that I had the resources and the support to do it."  Judy shares her story of traveling from Pennsylvania to New York for an abortion in the early 1970s. (Published on August 27, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Venice, FL)

V. shares her experiences of obtaining two abortions while enlisted in the military. (Published on August 15, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Georgia) Melissa is in Amsterdam, The Netherlands until August 17th, and in Berlin. Germany from August 17th until August 24. If you would like to share your story, e-mail melissa@theabortiondiary.com or visit www.theabortiondiary.com and fill out our contact form. Are you a fan of the podcast? Help us continue our work and share our stories by donating now: .

"I really wanted people to know what I was going through." - Bess Bess shares her experiences seeking abortions at two very different times in her life, and talks about seeking a judicial bypass in order to access an abortion as a teenager. She also shares her experiences with miscarriage and birth. (Published on July 24, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New Orleans, LA) Melissa is in Paris, France until July 30th. If you would like to share your story, e-mail melissa@theabortiondiary.com or visit www.theabortiondiary.com and fill out our contact form.

"I was one of those people." Anonymous shares her story of seeking an abortion as a college student in North Carolina. (Published on June 29, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Pennsylvania) Melissa is currently in Galway, Ireland.  If you would like to share your story, e-mail  or fill out our contact form: http://bit.ly/27QPvC6

"I never ever regretted it."  S.M. discusses becoming a young mother while in college, and shares her experiences with miscarriage and seeking an abortion in Northern Ireland, where abortion is illegal, after a diagnosis of Spina Bifida. (Published on June 14, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland) For more information about the abortion rights campaign in Northern Ireland, visit . Melissa will be in Dublin, Ireland from June 11th until June 17th. If you would like to share your story with her for The Abortion Diary Podcast (), please e-mail her at melissa@theabortiondiary.com.

"I felt like a criminal." Rosa shares her story of needing to travel to England from Northern Ireland for an abortion.  Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland.  For more information about the abortion rights campaign in Northern Ireland, visit .  (Published on June 7, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Lisburn, Northern Ireland) Melissa will be in Belfast, Northern Ireland until June 11th, and Dublin, Ireland from June 12th until June 19th.  If you would like to share your story with her for The Abortion Diary Podcast, please e-mail her at . For more information, visit our website at . 

"It's vital that our stories are told." Katie shares her abortion experiences in Florida and North Carolina, and how creative writing helped her process those experiences.   (Published on June 2, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Tampa, FL)

"I don't feel like putting myself through a system that's going to demean me every step of the way." - Luz Luz shares her stories of abortion and miscarriage in Arizona, her difficulty obtaining abortion care, and how she took control of her body and her experiences.    (Published on April 21, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New Orleans, LA)

"There's no camaraderie."  Lila shares her story of seeking an abortion as a teenager in Atlanta, GA. (Published on March 25, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Atlanta, GA) Thanks for listening.  Help us continue to share our stories by donating now: http://theabortiondiarypodcast.com/donate-abortion-stories/donors/

"I had a very supportive family." Emily shares her story of traveling from Columbus, OH to San Juan, Puerto Rico for an abortion in 1964, and why she founded Women Have Options (WHO/O), Ohio's statewide abortion fund, decades later. (Published on March 16, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Granville, OH)    

"They don't know what people's real experiences are." Michelle shares her story of seeking an abortion in Louisiana, and how Hurricane Katrina directly impacted her pregnancy and abortion experiences. (Published on March 9, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New Orleans, LA)

"All kinds of people get an abortion."  Melissa shares her abortion experiences in Kansas City, MO and Columbus, OH. (Published on March 4, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Columbus, OH)

"Abortion is part of life." Jai shares her abortion experiences in Cleveland, OH. (Published on February 24, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Cleveland, OH)

"I always knew it was the right thing to do." Teal shares her story of seeking an abortion while she was a law student in California. To learn more about Speak Your Story visit .  (Published on February 18, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Indianapolis, IN)  

"It's comforting to hear other people's stories." Denise shares her story of seeking an abortion in California, and the post abortion ritual she created afterward. To learn more about Spirit Babies visit http://www.spiritbabies.org. (Published on February 3, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Alameda, CA)  

"There was no other option." Kelly shares her story of seeking a clandestine abortion in Cancun, Mexico.* (Published on January 12, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Venice, FL) *In Mexico, abortion is legal in Mexico City (Federal District), Mexico within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and misoprostol is available over the counter throughout the country.  For more information about accessing abortion in Mexico City and/or the use of misoprostol visit Fondo Maria's website ().  

"Fue difícil." Maritsa comparte su experiencia con un aborto clandestino en Peru. --- Maritsa shares her story of seeking a clandestine abortion in Peru, where abortion is illegal.  (Published on January 7, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New York, NY)

"The more I share my story, the more it helps me." Briana shares her story of seeking an abortion as a college student. (Published on December 29, 2015 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: New Orleans, LA)