"We save lives."

In this episode, Marva Sadler talks about her path to working in abortion care, what keeps her going to work every day, and reflects how her own abortion experience has shaped how she provides abortion care.

Marva has worked with Whole Woman’s Health for 13 years and in abortion healthcare for over 16 years. She was born in Detroit, and, since the age of three, raised and educated in Waco, Texas. Marva’s passion for women's reproductive healthcare began on her first day of work in abortion care in 2005, when she was greeted by two abortion protestors. She believes that these people simply can not win. They convinced Marva that she had to fight for the rights of women. As an abortion provider in Texas, Marva is proud to have been an active part of the continued fight against the State of Texas’ outrageous HB2 legislation and, currently, SB8. Marva has also served on the Faith Aloud Board of Directors.  Marva is married and is a mother of five sons, one daughter, and one puppy, Marley.

This episode was made in collaboration with Abortion Care Network (ACN) and was recorded at their 2020 annual conference. ACN is a nonprofit membership organization for independent abortion clinics. Independent clinics — like Whole Women’s Health, where Marva Sadler works — provide the majority of abortion care in the U.S. ACN provides the staff of those clinics with support, training, and resources.

Abortion Diary Entry 169: Marva Sadler, Senior Director of Clinical Services, Whole Woman’s Health

Melissa shares her story and how it led her to create The Abortion Diary Podcast 16 years later.

The Abortion Diary needs your support in order to continue to break the silence. Please consider making a donation: http://bit.ly/292LsxI

Thank you for being loyal listeners and supporters!

Diary Entry 8:  Melissa M., 34 (Washington Heights, NY, 1997)

Ilene Yoffe shares her story of obtaining an abortion in New York City in 1970, the year that abortion was legalized in New York State and three years before Roe v. Wade, the historic Supreme Court case guaranteed the right to safe and legal abortions in the United States.

Diary Entry 11:  Ilene Y., 67 (Manhattan, NY, 1970)

Adriana shares her experience of choosing to have an abortion in New York City.

Diary Entry 13: Adriana, 31 (Brooklyn, NY, 2012)

Devra shares her abortion experiences, including two menstrual extractions at Planned Parenthood, in Los Angeles, CA, before abortion was legal in the United States.  She also discusses her experience in the Women’s Liberation Movement and how talking to other women at women’s groups about reproductive choices was essential to her abortion experience.

(Published on May 15, 2014 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Los Angeles, CA)


Diary Entry 27: Devra W., 67 (Los Angeles, CA, 1966, 1969 & 1970)

Meg shares her experience seeking an abortion in Colorado, her cancer diagnosis and her path to midwifery education.  

(Published on June 12, 2014 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Portland, OR)

Diary Entry 31:  Meg, 32 (Telluride/Durango, CO, 2010)

Judith Arcana shares her experiences as a Jane in The Abortion Counseling Service of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union (usually known as JANE) and her own abortion experience soon after the Roe v. Wade decision.

Judith Arcana is a writer – and a Jane, a member of the feminist underground service that helped more than eleven thousand women and girls have safe illegal abortions in Chicago before the Roe decision in January of 1973. She worked in the service for two years, and then taught classes on women’s health and sexuality for the Women’s Liberation School. Last year she published a fiction zine rooted in abortion service history (Keesha and Joanie and JANE ); her story collection about tattooing and abortion, called Hello. This is Jane. – is currently seeking a publisher. Visit Judith’s website: http://www.juditharcana.com/.

(Published on August 26, 2014 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Portland, OR)

The Abortion Diary needs your support in order to continue to break the silence. Please consider making a donation to our Indiegogo fundraising campaign: igg.me/at/abortiondiarytour

Thank you for being loyal listeners and supporters!

Diary Entry 45: Judith,  71 (Chicago, IL, 1974)

Kristina shares her story of seeking an abortion as a college student.  She also shares her experience with herbal abortifacients, and the art project about her abortion that she created during the six weeks she had to wait before obtaining her abortion.*

(Published on October 7, 2014 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Providence, RI)

*I apologize for the wind.   We, unexpectedly, had to record outside.

The Abortion Diary needs your support in order to continue to break the silence. Please donate to The Abortion Diary on Fractured Atlas: http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=10900

Thank you for being loyal listeners and supporters!

Diary Entry 54: Kristina, 32 with Baby E, 2 and Baby X, 4 (Norwich, CT 2004)

"It was like it never happened."

Nan shares her story of obtaining an abortion in Phoenix, AZ in her early 20s.

(Published on November 18, 2014| Listener: Melissa Madera |Location: Vashon Island, WA)

Why did Melissa create The Abortion Diary? Watch her story here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4odDzNkjc…&feature=youtu.be



Diary Entry 67: Nan W., 55 (Phoenix, Arizona 1982)

“I was pregnant and I didn’t want to be.”

Emily shares her story of seeking an abortion in Portland, OR after getting pregnant while using an IUD.

(Published on November 25, 2014| Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Portland, OR)

Diary Entry 68: Emily K., 25 (Portland, OR 2011)

"It can even happen to the married, mormon peace corps volunteer."

Melissa shares her story of obtaining an abortion in Washington, D.C. after she was raped  in Vanuatu, where she had been a Peace Corps volunteer.

(Published on December 9, 2014 |Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Seattle, WA)

Diary Entry 73: Melissa, 35 (Washington D.C. 2004)

"It's a choice that shouldn't be taken away." 

Francesca and Danny share their experiences with infertility, miscarraige, and choosing to have an abortion after a trisome 18 diagnosis. 

(Published on March 10, 2015 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Oakland, CA)

Thanks for listening. Help us continue our work and share our stories by donating now: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=10900

Abortion Diary Entry 89: Danny, 63 & Francesca, 67 (New York, NY 1986)

"It needs to be safe."

Cathy shares her story of obtaining an illegal abortion in 1960s Florida as a teenager.

(Published on May 26, 2015 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL)

We share stories. Help us continue to break the silence by donating now:https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=10900

Abortion Diary Entry 100: Cathy, 69 (Ormond Beach, FL 1962)

Diary Entry 27:  Devra W., 67 (Los Angeles, CA, 1966, 1969 & 1970)

"I was one of those people."

Anonymous shares her story of seeking an abortion as a college student in North Carolina.

(Published on June 29, 2016 | Listener: Melissa Madera | Location: Pennsylvania)

Melissa is currently in Galway, Ireland.  If you would like to share your story, e-mail melissa@theabortiondiary.com or fill out our contact form: http://bit.ly/27QPvC6

Abortion  Diary Entry 135: Anonymous, 25 (Chapel Hill, NC 2009)

"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: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

Abortion Diary Entry 147:  Alex, 34 (Brooklyn, NY 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

Abortion Diary Entry 148:  Ellie, 27 (Brighton, England 2013)

"I wanted to be able to tell my own story."

Kassi shares her abortion experience, and her journey of enlightenment after abortion, which she chronicles in her new book MAY CAUSE LOVE (http://bit.ly/WnHMeO).

(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 donating now: http://theabortiondiarypodcast.com/donate-abortion-stories/donors/

Abortion Diary Entry 149: Kassi U., 32 (Barre, Vermont 2004)

"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: http://theabortiondiary.com/donate-abortion-stories/donors/

Abortion Diary Entry 150: Laura, 64 (New York, NY 1972 and Orlando, FL 1974)

"People need to know that they're not alone."

Adriana shares her story 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 donating now: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

Abortion Diary Entry 154: Adriana, 25 (Montréal , Québec, Canada, 2016)

"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: bit.ly/2iiqvzp

Abortion Diary Entry 155: Anonymous, 31 (Tuscaloosa, AL 2013)

“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 (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

Abortion Diary Entry 158: Jackie, 37 (Cincinnati, OH 2004)

“In the end it was a good decision. It was a hard one, but it was just the one I needed to take.”

Marisol shares her experience of having an abortion with the help of Women on Web (http://www.womenonwaves.org/) 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 (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

Abortion Diary Entry 159: Marisol, 32 (Dhaka, Bangladesh 2011)

“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).

Abortion Diary Entry 160: Lisa, 48 (Michigan, 1986)

"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 (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

Abortion Diary Entry 161: Jael H. (Montreal, Québec, Canada, 2011)

"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 (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

Abortion Diary Entry 162:  Christina F., 35 (Birmingham, AL 2013)

"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 (bit.ly/292LsxI) or become our patron on Patreon (www.patreon.com/THEABORTIONDIARY).

Abortion Diary Entry 163: Hunt, 33 (Bossier City, LA 2015)

“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 Connie Cook, 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).

Abortion Diary Entry 164: Sue P., 72 (South Orange, NJ 1965 )

“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.  Ireland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe.  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.  
http://theabortiondiarypodcast.com/donate-abortion-stories/donors/

Abortion Diary Entry 165: C.G.C., 20 (Manchester, England 2012)

“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)

Abortion Diary Entry 166: Dr. Nikia Grayson

"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.

Abortion Diary Entry 167: Leah Coplon, MPH, RN

“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 Abortion Care Network (ACN) and was recorded at their 2019 annual conference. ACN (https://abortioncarenetwork.org) is a national association for independent community-based, abortion clinics and their allies. Abortion funds like Access Reproductive Care - Southeast (https://www.arc-southeast.org), 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 Access Reproductive Care - Southeast, 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.

Abortion Diary Entry 168:  Oriaku Njoku

*A new story is posted every Tuesday.*

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

Created and Produced by Melissa Madera

The Abortion Diary

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