49 years ago we made abortion legal in this country. And, for 49 years, we’ve been grappling & struggling with competition and lack of support for women that is authentic, whole, and helpful. We’ve told women… You can’t be
49 years ago we made abortion legal in this country. And, for 49 years, we’ve been grappling & struggling with competition and lack of support for women that is authentic, whole, and helpful.
We’ve told women…
- You can’t be successful and have a child.
- You can’t get help for severe mental health issues and have your child.
- You should terminate your pregnancy because you’ll never get out of your abusive relationship.
- You should get used to poverty because you’re stuck.
- Children will ruin your life.
- Your child will only hold you back. I thought you had dreams?
- Your body is broken and the fact that you can grow children is so antiquated.
- You should shut down your body because that’s safer. Don’t worry – depression, low libido, migraines, acne – it’s worth the cost of a pregnancy.
- If you don’t take contraception, you’re failing the feminist movement. This is a TOOL.
What if we instead told women…
- I see your pregnant. How are you doing? How can I help you succeed? What do you need to feel safe?
- I see you’re struggling. Can I help with meals or taking you to your appointments? I’ll come over and watch your baby, so you can get some time to yourself.
- I want to help you get out of this relationship. You matter & you are deserving of a good & stable relationship. I’ll pay for your therapy sessions.
- Can I help watch your kids so you can go to night school? I’d like to offer to help pay for your classes.
- Your child can be a source of joy, creativity, and new adventures. Let’s work together, so we can help each other have our babies and fulfill our deep heart dreams.
- Your body is working and the fact that you are capable of having babies means your body is working as it should. That’s awesome! It doesn’t mean you need to have a baby right now.
- You don’t need to shut down your body to gain the respect of men in your life. They need to respect your body & your autonomy to respect yourself is important.
- Understanding how your body works and getting the care you need is essential. Charting is your tool. Education is powerful and helps create a culture of informed consent.
Community over competition. Collaboration over isolation.
Women, we need each other. Systems can’t fix relationships and heartache. We can. When we…
- Come together
- Show up vulnerably to support a fellow sister
- Advocate for change in health care
- Demand that children be a part of life and the workplace, rather than an extenuating circumstance
- Make meals for each other
- Watch each other’s kids
- Offer assistance in all kinds of ways (financially, spiritually, physically)
- Normalize therapy
- Cultivate safe, restful environments
- Open up our homes
- Build community with women who live next door and around us
- Celebrate each other’s successes
- Build each other up and honor each other’s journeys
- Pray for each other
- Hold each other close
- Be curious instead of judgmental
AMAZING things happen. We start to see the goodness in each other, we realize the impact we have, and we can create positive change for future generations of women.
I’m missing friends, colleagues, neighbors because abortion was legalized in the United States 49 years ago. I don’t want to grieve more souls. I’m missing my fellow women. It’s time we band together and lean into each other and stop pulling back when things look hard or ugly or uncertain.
Brene Brown says: “Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences”. She also says that “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy courage, empathy, and creativity.”
Let’s be brave. Let’s lean into love. Let’s show up for each other.
It’s about time.
