Guest Opinion | Sheri Bonner: I’ve Had Multiple Abortions and After 40 Years,

I had an abortion when I was 19 years old.

I had another abortion when I was 22 years old.

A few years later, I had my third abortion.

I’ve served as the CEO of Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley for 19 years and have been with the organization for more than 30 years, though I’ve never shared widely that I’ve had multiple abortions. In both my personal and professional lives, I say the word “abortion” nearly every day. I’m a proud abortion advocate, yet even I have not been able to escape the stigma around abortion that shapes people’s attitudes and beliefs about essential health care, spreads disinformation, and harms patients and providers. 

My abortions were necessary for me. My first abortion was 45 years ago. Roe v. Wade – the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted a constitutional right to safe, legal abortion across the country – went into effect about a decade before. When I became pregnant, I was a college student, and what I needed to do was very clear to me.

My mother is a big part of my story. When I told her I was pregnant, she asked if it was a wanted pregnancy and when I shook my head no, we didn’t have to talk about it, because we both knew getting an abortion was the best option. She helped me get care without judgment. She made an appointment with a local OBGYN, and a few days later I had my procedure. 

When I think back to that time, it didn’t cross my mind that I couldn’t get an abortion. I didn’t have to travel far. I didn’t have to wait weeks for an appointment. I didn’t have any fear. It was a needed medical procedure, and I was able to get the care I needed without significant barriers.

A year ago, federal protections to a safe and legal abortion were stripped away. The rights I had 40 years ago when I had my abortions were taken away in an instant.

I’m fortunate to live in California where sexual and reproductive health care, including the right to have an abortion, is protected and celebrated. Planned Parenthood affiliates in California received support in expanding access to abortion services. The California legislature passed a historic bill package last year and made $200 million in investments to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion services. In November, Californians up and down the state overwhelmingly voted in support of Proposition 1, a measure to codify access to abortion and contraception in the state constitution.

As we’ve fought back and pushed forward amid each obstacle thrown our way, I can’t help but think about 19-year-old me and how my abortion experience could have been different in today’s shifting landscape of abortion access across the country. 

The conveniences we have in California are a rarity, and it’s not a shared experience by the majority of people seeking an abortion. This is evident through the out-of-state patients we see in our health centers every day who are forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to get to an abortion provider.

Those closest to me know that I’ve had an abortion. But up until recently, very few knew I had multiple abortions. Adding that “s” to the word abortion may give people pause. It shouldn’t — an abortion is an extremely safe, effective form of medical care whether it’s your first or you’ve had several. The public health consequences due to the pervasive stigma around abortion — especially having multiple abortions — is what compels me to share my story now.

My abortions don’t define me. It’s part of my sexual and reproductive health journey, and each time my decision was easily made. Each abortion was a decision I made that led to my next chapter and put me on my life’s path.

Abortion is so much more than a political position. In my case, access to a safe abortion changed the trajectory of my reproductive life and future. I’ve had an incredible and meaningful career because I was able to have my abortions. Even more importantly, I was able to start my family when I was ready.

To change inaccurate perceptions and remove the stigma around abortion, we need to eliminate the shame and be unapologetic about being pro-abortion. The more we proudly share our stories, say the word abortion, and normalize talking about this essential form of health care, we begin to take back our power. Our collective voices will push us forward and give us strength as we continue to fight for sexual and reproductive freedom for all people.

Sheri Bonner, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV). PPPSGV’s service area extends from Glendora to Glendale and from the San Gabriel Mountains to the San Bernardino freeway, home to 24 communities and a diverse…