THE CATHOLIC ADVOCATE
Vol. 12 No. 1/2 February/March 2003
The Women On the Capitol Steps...The Silent No More Project Sex Education in Catholic Schools - Part I...The local scene America, Defend Life - The Deadly Dozen...Action items to achieve a Culture of Life A Failed Social engineering Experiment...Author Rick Hevier to visit Florida The historic Capitol building of Tallahassee, Florida, proudly boasts red and white candy stripe awnings on its windows. A matter of controversy among more serious-minded citizenry, the jaunty awnings nevertheless proclaim the bright promise of law in the sunshine state, open and honest. Thus, on January 26, 2003, in that august setting, one of the most open and honest proclamations ever made against what is perceived to be settled law, took place. Eight women stood on Florida’s Capital steps holding shiny, black placards that read, I Regret My Abortion. Mary Hubbard, state leader for the Tallahassee campaign read an opening statement. “This gathering is one of 43 Silent No More events happening throughout the country...Every Silent No More event is a gathering of women who share one thing: each of us had an abortion and experienced physical or psychological pain and consequences.” The Silent No More campaign grew out of a small group of women with a goal to share the truth that abortion hurts women. “If you're a woman hurting,” they want you to know “there is help.” Actress Jennifer O'Neill has joined the campaign as its national spokesperson. Silent No More was co-founded by Georgette Forney, executive director of NOEL, National Organization of Episcopals for Life, and Susan Renne Mosley, founder of Celebrating Grace. In a press release announcing the Washington, D.C. demonstration (which followed the March for Life), Mosely, who had an abortion at 15, said, “It's time to speak honestly about the pain we've lived with. We want to help women who are hurting from abortion find peace. This campaign will let them know they're not alone.” One by one, in the chilly morning hours, the Tallahassee eight gave brief histories of their abortion experience with its attendant anger, grief, physical, and emotional pain. Elizabeth had two abortions; they left her with a perforated uterus, multiple trauma and sterile. For seventeen years, Mary struggled with self-destructive behaviors and feelings of unworthiness before getting help. Paisley had three abortions by the time she was twenty; she now has three children she cuddles knowingly in her arms. Ashli is writing a book about her experience. While suffering from a rare maternal illness, she was deserted by her HMO and physicians. Unable to find help, she and her husband turned to what she thought was the only solution available. “The Orlando Women’s Center didn’t even list the name of the hospital I was sent to because we were instructed to go to a hotel until it was clear that I was out of danger. Having no shred of faith left in hospitals and doctors, we complied and went to the hotel to see if I would live through the night or bleed to death in the tub.” As the women courageously spoke their personal stories, a solitary figure lingered on the sidewalk several yards from the steps. Margaret Falco wore an oversized placard suspended from her neck, member of NOW, National Organization for Women. White-haired Margaret spoke evenly and without emotion. Turning to this reporter she said, “I had an abortion. In 1965.” Margaret Falco was married at the time, a thirty-three year old mother of two. Her husband was against having any more children and since they were “unable to afford it,” she aborted. Because the procedure was illegal in New York, Margaret flew to Puerto Rico with a Hispanic neighbor, whom she “wasn’t real close to,” and had the abortion. “It was lonely,” she said. Against the background of women’s voices sharing out loud of what happened in traumatizing and gut-wrenching hours spent in legal abortion clinics, Margaret Falco said, “I‘ve never regretted mine. I’m pro-choice because I don’t want any women not have a clean, safe, legal place to go to.” Mary Hubbard said, “Thirty years ago...we were told abortion was a simple, safe solution to a problem pregnancy. That is not true. The truth is women still die from legal abortion. We suffer from infections, sterility, and breast cancer. And we have struggled with substance abuse, relationship problems, depression and eating disorders.” Hubbard emphasized that the Silent No More campaign is not a political movement. It is instead an attempt to reach the millions of other women still hurting from an abortion, “to hear about the hope and help we have found. We have been able to grieve. We have learned to forgive ourselves and others involved in our abortions. And we have been able to find peace. “We are here today because we are not statistics; we are your co-workers, your neighbors, your friends. We are normal women. We are sisters, daughters, moms, and wives who can’t be silent anymore.” In conclusion, Hubbard said, “While we have found the courage to speak publicly, there are many more who contacted Silent No More and wanted to speak but could not...because shame and fear of judgment by friends and family keeps them quiet...whether you call yourself pro-choice or pro-life, let us focus on developing support systems to help pregnant women. Women deserve better than abortion.” Rapidly organized to coordinate with the March for Life and the 30th Roe vs. Wade anniversary, the Silent No More campaign spread over the Internet. Press releases were sent to assorted media, including the Tallahassee Democrat. But when eight heroic women unflinchingly spoke of the most intimate, tragic and scarring experiences of their lives, only one reality was more stunning. The sidewalk in front of the Capitol was empty. A little clutch of eight people stood in solidarity. The very absence of the media is proof that campaigns like Silent No More will eventually bring down abortion. This is but the beginning; there will be more campaigns. Next year‘s plans include men. With 3600 women aborting each day, (Florida is sixth in the nation), more and more women will eventually join these demonstrations. And that is news the pro-abortion media can not afford to print. A single thread ran through every post-abortive woman’s testimony. In her moment of greatest need, ultimately, she was alone. It was this aloneness that drove her rushing into the arms of a lie; she had no other “choice” but to abort. While watching and listening to these women-victims willing to relive their pain, speaking words of hope to empty sidewalks, it was evident they are alone no longer. They have each other and they have recovered honor, courage, and faith. They are willing to sacrifice so that other women may heal. On a brisk January morning with an audience of awnings, the women on the Capitol steps covered themselves in glory. See Help After AbortionTHE WOMEN ON THE CAPITOL STEPS
We are not statistics
Women deserve better