The Abortion Diary
Abortion happens every day. It has been estimated that 42 million people worldwide have an abortion each year, but the majority of those people will never talk about their abortion experience. What If millions of people broke their silence and told the truth about their lives and their choices? These are our abortion stories. www.theabortiondiarypodcast.com
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Abortion Diary Entry 169: Marva Sadler
11/08/2021
Abortion Diary Entry 169: Marva Sadler
"We save lives."
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Abortion Diary Entry 168: Oriaku Njoku
02/22/2021
Abortion Diary Entry 168: Oriaku Njoku
“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.
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Abortion Diary Entry 167: Leah Coplon, MPH, RN
08/19/2019
Abortion Diary Entry 167: Leah Coplon, MPH, RN
"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.
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Abortion Diary Entry 166: Dr. Nikia Grayson
05/06/2019
Abortion Diary Entry 166: Dr. Nikia Grayson
“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)
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Abortion Diary Entry 165: C.G.C., 20 (Manchester, England 2012)
05/10/2018
Abortion Diary Entry 165: C.G.C., 20 (Manchester, England 2012)
“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.
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Abortion Diary Entry 164: Sue P., 72 (South Orange, NJ 1965 )
01/25/2018
Abortion Diary Entry 164: Sue P., 72 (South Orange, NJ 1965 )
“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).
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Abortion Diary Entry 163: Hunt, 33 (Bossier City, LA 2015)
11/17/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 163: Hunt, 33 (Bossier City, LA 2015)
"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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 162: Christina F., 35 (Birmingham, AL 2013)
10/02/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 162: Christina F., 35 (Birmingham, AL 2013)
"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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 161: Jael H. (Montreal, Québec, Canada, 2011)
09/08/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 161: Jael H. (Montreal, Québec, Canada, 2011)
"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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 160: Lisa, 48 (Michigan, 1986)
08/15/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 160: Lisa, 48 (Michigan, 1986)
“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).
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Abortion Diary Entry 159: Marisol, 32 (Dhaka, Bangladesh 2011)
08/04/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 159: Marisol, 32 (Dhaka, Bangladesh 2011)
“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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 158: Jackie, 37 (Cincinnati, OH 2004)
06/08/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 158: Jackie, 37 (Cincinnati, OH 2004)
“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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 157: Alison, 55 (New York, NY 1979, Kalamazoo, MI 1979 and Rochester, NY 1982)
05/16/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 157: Alison, 55 (New York, NY 1979, Kalamazoo, MI 1979 and Rochester, NY 1982)
"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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 156: Kristen, 30 (Atlanta, GA 2014)
05/09/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 156: Kristen, 30 (Atlanta, GA 2014)
"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 ().
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Abortion Diary Entry 155: Anonymous, 31 (Tuscaloosa, AL 2013)
04/20/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 155: Anonymous, 31 (Tuscaloosa, AL 2013)
"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:
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Abortion Diary Entry 154: Adriana, 25 (Montréal , Québec, Canada, 2016)
04/11/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 154: Adriana, 25 (Montréal , Québec, Canada, 2016)
"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
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Abortion Diary Entry 153: Anonymous, 43 (Manchester, England 2013)
03/30/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 153: Anonymous, 43 (Manchester, England 2013)
"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:
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Abortion Diary Entry 152: Anonymous, 65 (Poughkeepsie, NY 1969)
03/21/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 152: Anonymous, 65 (Poughkeepsie, NY 1969)
"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:
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Abortion Diary Entry 151: Cassandra, 23 (Norman, OK 2010 and 2012)
03/07/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 151: Cassandra, 23 (Norman, OK 2010 and 2012)
"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:
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Abortion Diary Entry 150: Laura, 64 (New York, NY 1972 and Orlando, FL 1974)
02/28/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 150: Laura, 64 (New York, NY 1972 and Orlando, FL 1974)
"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:
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Abortion Diary Entry 149: Kassi U., 32 (Barre, Vermont 2004)
02/21/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 149: Kassi U., 32 (Barre, Vermont 2004)
"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/
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Abortion Diary Entry 148: Ellie, 27 (Brighton, England 2013)
02/14/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 148: Ellie, 27 (Brighton, England 2013)
"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
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Abortion Diary Entry 147: Alex, 34 (Brooklyn, NY 2013)
02/07/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 147: Alex, 34 (Brooklyn, NY 2013)
"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:
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Abortion Diary Entry 146: Abby A., 63 (Pasadena, CA 1970 and Los Angeles, CA 1986)
01/31/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 146: Abby A., 63 (Pasadena, CA 1970 and Los Angeles, CA 1986)
“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
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Abortion Diary Entry 145: Judith Arcana, 73
01/24/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 145: Judith Arcana, 73
“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.
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Abortion Diary Entry 144: Elizabeth C., (Newport Beach, CA 1984 and San Francisco, CA 1991, 1996 & 2002)
01/17/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 144: Elizabeth C., (Newport Beach, CA 1984 and San Francisco, CA 1991, 1996 & 2002)
“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
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Abortion Diary Entry 143: Katharina M., 28 (Karak, Jordan 2011)
01/10/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 143: Katharina M., 28 (Karak, Jordan 2011)
“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
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Abortion Diary Entry 142: Anonymous, 19 (New York, NY 2015)
01/03/2017
Abortion Diary Entry 142: Anonymous, 19 (New York, NY 2015)
“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 :
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Happy New Year!
12/29/2016
Happy New Year!
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:
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#142: Why do want to share our stories? (An Audio Mosaic)
12/29/2016
#142: Why do want to share our stories? (An Audio Mosaic)
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.
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