Still, Always, Pro-choice

Last night I was breezing through Facebook and discovered that anti-choice groups are posting photos of miscarried fetuses as a means to fight women's right to choose. As a woman who thirty-one years ago miscarried at eighteen weeks, I find this deeply disturbing. To use such sad images for political gain is mean-spirited and illogical. 

Let me tell you the history of my stance on abortion:

When I was in grade school and Washington State was voting to legalize abortion, I already understood that a woman should have control over her own body.

In my early twenties when I struggled with infertility, I knew that my desire for a baby would never mean other women should be forced to give birth.

When I was thrilled that I finally was pregnant, I became even more pro-choice. I was absolutely aware that motherhood is the ultimate commitment, and it shouldn't be forced on any woman. 

After a heartbreaking mid-pregnancy miscarriage, I began the adoption process and became the lucky mom of two amazing children. While I am grateful every day to my children's birth moms, I will still fight for the right of all women to choose whether to give birth or not. 

After this three-decade journey that has now brought me the joy of becoming a grandmother, I'm still the same sixth grade girl who was standing up for abortion rights on the school playground, and I am appalled to those who are posting photos of miscarried fetuses under the banner of "stop funding Planned Parenthood!"