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    Submitted by Jacqueline

    I felt like I had no one to talk to and that I had to act like nothing happened.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I was raped by a stranger and resulted in a pregnancy.

    Submitted by RV

    It is for the best. I am done having children.

    Submitted by Sylver

    I didn't feel any remorse until I was married and had my first child at age 30.

    Submitted by OARJ

    I may have not been "ready" to be a Mother, let alone do it alone.

    Submitted by Rosie

    The doctors where kind and understanding, it was with their advice that we decided to abort. It was to much of a risk in my medical condition.

    Submitted by Mary

    My right to choice saved my life.

    Submitted by Vicki

    I lost the the chance to have a child.

    Submitted by Hindu Girl

    As much as I wanted my baby, I would have been disowned.

    Submitted by B

    It's been 3 months and it feels as if it happened yesterday.

    Submitted by Gail

    I was mentally unfit to raise a child or carry it to term and give it away.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I am so thankful for Planned Parenthood and for abortion providers everywhere.

    Submitted by Darla

    My late-term abortion saved our daughter’s life.

    Submitted by Layla

    The right to choose should be every woman's right.

    Submitted by Alex

    This is one of the hardest things.

    Submitted by CHI CHI

    IT WAS MY CHOICE THIS TIME

    Submitted by Anonymous

    Pregnant, 5 weeks found out yesterday.

    Submitted by Mallory

    It's the unnecessary and inaccurate shame many women feel afterwards that motivates me to want to tell my story.

    Submitted by Rachel S.

    There I was in a "third world country" and I received a safe abortion.

    Submitted by Kelli

    If abortion had not been an option for us, I wouldn't be in school now.

    Submitted by Katrina

    I always wanted a baby....Then I got pregnant at 22 and I wasn't ready.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    Almost daily I think about how my life should be different.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I am confident that my decision saved our relationship and our futures.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I wasn't ready for that responsibility, I was still a child myself and I still am now.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I do not feel depressed about what I have done.

    Submitted by Ali

    I never felt haunted by my decision in any way or wondered if I had made a mistake.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    If I did not have the strong support structure that I have with my family, I would have had an abortion.

    Submitted by Taren

    How can I regret something that has allowed me to have all that I am blessed with today?

    Submitted by Jessie

    A woman's right to choose is a paramount issue facing our society today.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    For better or worse my abortions changed my life.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I have always wanted a family, but I knew my partner wasn’t ready and I didn’t know if he was the guy to have a child with.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I have no doubt I made the right decision for my family and the children I already had.

    Submitted by Katie

    I decided to get an abortion and to dedicate the remainder of my life to being a better person.

    Submitted by JR

    Without an abortion, I would not have been able to finish my education or have a successful career.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    After all the pain from the pills have passed, nothing hurts more then when I think again of the what ifs.

    Submitted by Steph

    I regret putting myself and my baby in this situation.

    Submitted by EG

    My abortion was not a big deal except that it contributed to my ability to continue to have the life I always dreamed of.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    Yes I did what was best in the situation but I never wanted to make that decision. I don't know of anyone who ever has.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    So grateful to have access and options and to know that starting a family is something I get to do on my terms.

    Submitted by Kayla Lee Ann

    I felt guilty about aborting my baby.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I am ashamed to say that I was in such shock that I numbly allowed my doctors and husband to make my decision for me to end the pregnancy.

    Submitted by Barbara

    I was treated with respect and compassion and have not experienced one moment of regret.

    Submitted by Margaret

    People tell me those who have abortions have emotional, guilty issues... but for me I have emotional, guilty issues of my own.

    Submitted by Wendy

    I have never had any regrets or and went on to have a normal pregnancy some years later. I am very thankful for my abortion, I believe my life would have been radically different – and worse – without it.

    Submitted by Rachel

    There was no question in my mind that having a baby would have been an incredibly selfish thing to do.

    Submitted by Linda Marie

    My only regret is that it was illegal at the time.

    Submitted by Small Town Girl

    No regrets--I felt mature and responsible. I had no illusions about what it would be like to have a baby at 17.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I hate the idea of abortion, but I hate the idea that women could be forced to have babies against their will so much more.

    Submitted by Dolceneya

    I did not want to start graduate school pregnant. It would have been too stressful for me and my child.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I think of my daughter and what would have happened if our lives had been connected to this monster, through a child, for life.

    Submitted by F

    I asked my 3 weeks old baby for forgiveness, but I didn´t wanted to submit her/him to a life of abuse from my parents or a life in the streets.

    Submitted by Victoria

    I wish I had been strong enough to raise my children.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I was glad this service was available for me.

    Submitted by Zalexi

    I wouldn't have graduated had I not sought & acquired an illegal abortion.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I felt a deep bond with my child, and I didn't think I had the right to take someone else's life.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    Now I'm 51, never had a child, but I have no regrets on what I did.

    Submitted by Jennifer

    If life is precious then that should mean the life you can give that child should be taken into consideration.

    Submitted by M.

    I cried every day... Completely scared, feeling alone, depressed and anxious the appointment arrived.

    Submitted by Julie

    I am sad that women still have to jump through so many hoops. It feels as if it is even more difficult now.

    Submitted by Carmen

    I had a safe abortion without harassment & support of my family.

    Submitted by Rebeccca

    I honestly don't know how I feel now about having had an abortion so many years ago. I do know it's all wrapped up in shame. Back then, nice girls didn’t have sex. Back then nice girls did not get pregnant.

    Submitted by Denny

    This decision was difficult enough -why did I have the added pressure of a deadline hanging over me??

    Submitted by Shannon

    There was no way to save the fetus and if it was not removed immediately the woman would bleed to death. The woman who already had two younger children at home was not in a position to die for her unborn child as she was needed to care for her born children. The woman chose the therapeutic abortion.

    Submitted by Kara

    Thank God I was early enough in my pregnancy that they could not detect a heart beat at the planned parenthood.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I decided to give the baby up for adoption. I had no attachment to him--I didn't even know the father.

    Submitted by Vanessa

    I regret having put myself in the situation of having to have an abortion, but I do not regret the decision to do so.

    Submitted by Karlie

    I'm happy I had a legal way to have a simple medical procedure done safely.

    Submitted by Amy

    It allowed me to prioritize my life, my future.

    Submitted by Carol

    I'm so very grateful that abortion was an option for me when I needed it.

    Submitted by Rose

    It is her choice & I respect that.

    Submitted by Alyssa

    I couldn't bring a baby into this world knowing the baby's father beat me and wouldn't have a good life.

    Submitted by Louisa

    What was sad is that I wasn't in the position to want and welcome a child.

    Submitted by Erika

    I was just a woman making a decision about her own body and future.

    Submitted by Ellen

    I don't necessarily agree with abortion but I can certainly understand why we have them.

    Submitted by Kerry

    Having an abortion was the best decision I ever made, and I don't regret it.

    Submitted by Iael

    I knew I wanted to have kids with him one day, just not that day.

    Submitted by Hannah

    I knew that my home was barely safe enough for me so it certainly was no place to raise a child.

    Submitted by Hillary

    Everybody has the right to life. Even tiny bodies.

    Submitted by Amy

    I knew the baby's health was compromised.

    Submitted by Maureen

    To this day, I am still angered by the public shaming that still goes on about abortion.

    Submitted by April

    My boyfriend and I knew some things for certain: we wanted to finish college, get married, and have kids someday. Someday. Not then.

    Submitted by Reagan

    I wanted a baby like a lot of new brides. I just needed time to get my life back on track.

    Submitted by Barbara E.

    I knew I was having an abortion and needed support.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I don't regret my choice just the fact I had to make that choice.

    Submitted by Anne

    It was the most painful thing physically and mentally that I have ever endured.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    We must never, never, go back to those days of illegal abortions.

    Submitted by Anonymous Angel

    My body, my life, my choice!

    Submitted by Diana_Texas

    I was distraught, confused and afraid - how can I be pregnant with just one time.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    Our country must never go back to those horrible days.

    Submitted by JB

    I started an abortion fund because who will help us, if not us.

    Submitted by ANABELLA

    I cry on Mother's Day and look with envy on all the mothers who receive flowers and cards from their children.

    Submitted by THERESA

    The only sad thing about this decision was that I was so sure of it.

    Submitted by Dannah

    If you're pregnant, cherish your pregnancy and child.

    Submitted by Augusta

    I decided to do what I thought was humane.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I was in a bad situation with financial troubles and a bad boyfriend.

    Submitted by Julie K

    I was ushered into a room to be told my baby was being kept alive by my body.

    Submitted by CJ

    I regret having to make the decision to abort my child but I do not regret the decision I made.

    Submitted by Ashley

    I knew I wasn't in the right place to love and support a child the way they deserve.

    Submitted by Anonymous

    I was glad that I could have a safe and legal abortion in the state of California.

    Submitted by Amanda

    The hardest thing I've ever done, but I have no regrets and peace in my heart.

    Submitted by Kaitlin

    I did not think I had a choice because I always believed abortion was wrong, but I did not want a child.

    Submitted by Jessica C.

    This was our first and last parenting decision for this child.

    Submitted by Kathy

    I felt this kinship with the baby in the womb.

    Submitted by Reagan

    We can be courageous pro-life warriors in love.

    Submitted by Rebecca

    I had to do what I had to do to survive.

    Submitted by Wenji

    In my heart, I know it’s the right choice.

    Submitted by Alexis

    I’m 17 and I’m having a little girl.

    Submitted by Debra

    I was not ready to become a parent.

    Submitted by Mechelle

    For me, and my children, and my life, this is the best decision for us.

    Submitted by Susan

    I was hurting, I was broken, I was filled with shame and guilt.

    Submitted by Samantha

    I’m not financially set to have a child.

    Submitted by Amie

    There’s no way I can physically carry a baby and work.

    About

    In 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade recognized the right of every woman in the United States to have an abortion. Since 2011, over half the states in the nation have significantly restricted access to abortions. In 2016, abortion remains one of the most divisive issues in America, especially in Missouri, where only one abortion clinic remains open, patients and their doctors must navigate a 72-hour waiting period, and each year sees more restrictions.

    Awarding-winning director and Missouri native Tracy Droz Tragos sheds new light on the contentious issue with a focus not on the debate, but rather on the women themselves – those struggling with unplanned pregnancies, the providers who show up at clinics to give medical care, as well as the activists on both sides of the issue hoping to sway decisions and lives.

    Abortion: Stories Women Tell offers an intimate window into the lives of these women through their personal stories. Some are heartbreaking and tender some are bleak and frightening; some women, on both sides of the issue, find the choice easy to make due to their own circumstances and beliefs, while others simply inform us of the strength and capacity of women to overcome and persevere through complicated and unexpected circumstances.

    Abortion: Stories Women Tell presents a candid dialogue about one of the timeliest issues facing America today.

    Tracy Droz Tragos

    Producer & Director

    Tracy Droz Tragos is an award-winning independent filmmaker. Tragos recently completed the film Abortion: Stories Women Tell, which will premiere on HBO. With Rich Hill, Tragos explored rural poverty through the intimate lens of vulnerable adolescents and their families struggling for a foothold. Rich Hill won the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, was released theatrically in over 95 theaters, and opened the 2015 PBS Independent Lens season. Her first film was Be Good, Smile Pretty, a powerful film about the profound and complicated feelings of loss caused by the deaths of American men in Vietnam, some thirty-five years later. The film aired on PBS’s Independent Lens and won the 2004 Emmy for Best Documentary, as well as the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

    In addition to her commercial and commissioned work, Tragos is in development on two independent films that focus on the challenges facing young people in America: from the perspective of a vulnerable teenage mother and her son in the Midwest; and kids confronting a broken U.S. educational system. She also is writing a personal hybrid documentary/narrative film about motherhood and ambition.

    Tragos’ work has received support from the Sundance Institute, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, ITVS and others. She is a Film Independent Documentary Lab and Sundance Lab alumna, participating as both a director and producer. Last year, Tragos was one of six filmmakers invited to participate in Sundance’s Women Filmmaking Initiative. She has served on the nominating committee of the IDA Awards and the jury for the Gotham Awards and the Cine Golden Eagle Awards. Tragos holds a B.A. in fiction writing from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in screenwriting from USC. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters, ages 10 and 7, as well as a German shepherd and a Chihuahua.

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