Our stories are powerful. They can change minds and call decision makers to action. Sharing your abortion story can help solidify the importance of reproductive freedom to lawmakers, local leaders and to folks in your community.

Your Story Has Power

It can be hard to get started writing your story. Learning how to frame your personal experience and connecting it to a larger narrative can support Northwest Reproductive Equity’s organizational priorities. 

Here are a few writing practices to get you started. Our team can support you all along the way, so reach out if you need help!

• Center your story in your lived experience. You can start your story with “I am someone who experienced [fill in the blank]” or “I have witnessed [fill in the blank] in my community”
• Someone close to you has lived experience with the issue. Start your advocacy story with “I lived with someone who [fill in the blank]” or “My sister is [fill in the blank]”
• You are the subject matter expert (SME). You work in the field being discussed, or you are seen as the expert in the field. “As a nurse, I have [fill in the blank]” or “As a provider, I have [fill in the blank]”
• Other Questions to consider:
  • Have you always easily accessed reproductive healthcare? What has that meant for your life?
  • Have travel and/or service costs impacted your ability to get reproductive healthcare? Has it caused you to delay seeking care, such as STI screenings, contraception, or abortion care?
  • Have you sought out abortion care or other reproductive healthcare, but were denied care? If so, did they tell you why?
  • Have you ever visited a Crisis Pregnancy Center? If so, what was your experience and why?
  • Have you faced stigma or other serious consequences from family, friends, and/or employers because of your reproductive decisions?