Fifty-three years ago, right over on I Street here in Washington DC, a 19-year-old young woman flew from Memphis, TN alone to have an abortion. The date was January 20, 1973.  Abortion was not yet legal in Tennessee but was here in DC.  

She found out she was pregnant in mid-December. The initial reaction was one of panic and fear. Unmarried and terrified of telling anyone, especially her parents, she began a plan that would forever change her life and end the life of her unborn baby. When she told the father of the baby, he rejected her and the baby, saying he didn’t care what she did, but he was not going to be ‘saddled’ with a child. This intensified fear and isolation for her. A friend helped with the plan. After a trip to Planned Parenthood in Memphis, she obtained information about a place in DC that performed abortions. She made the appointment, the plane reservations. There and back in the same day.

The procedure was horribly painful. Then she missed her plane. When she did get to the airport, the only flight that could get her back to Memphis was about to board. She ran full force to the terminal, boarded the plane, made it back to Memphis and in her mind that day NEVER HAPPENED. Oh, just a note—she had been cut, and stitches had been taken during the procedure. Relief and denial were her mind set for the next 19 years.  

That young woman was me. The Lord Jesus reached down in 1992 and saved me. I experienced forgiveness and healing through Forgiven and Set Free bible study. God has allowed me to come along side others who experienced the guilt and shame as I did and help them experience His forgiveness!  Oh, just a note—Jesus not only saved me spiritually He saved me physically---I didn’t have any complications from running in that airport after being cut during the abortion. I have not been, nor will I ever be silent no more!