Politicians in Mississippi have almost succeeded in shutting down even that clinic - litigation is still ongoing. We must do more to protect women's choices and voices.

You don't have to like abortion, but until women and girls have parity with men, it is a reality. My abortion has made me a better person, a more confident woman, free to care deeply for my loved ones.

My parents had told me before I left for college that if I ever got pregnant before marriage or had an abortion they would never speak to me again. Of course I figured it could never happen to me.

The choice was clear to me. I would be starting my 3rd year in college and I was neither mentally or financially prepared for a child. I am thankful every day that I made the decision I did.

I had just turned 16 and had sex for the first time with a person who I thought meant everything. It wasn't bad, but I figured I wouldn't end up pregnant.

I was 19, and it was just three months into what would later turn into a severely abusive relationship when I figured out I was pregnant.