Remembering Dr. Baird Bardarson

Dr. Baird Bardarson, a true champion for women and quality abortion care, recently passed away at the age of 84. Dr. Bardarson provided compassionate abortion care in the Pacific Northwest for 35 years, and was a member of the NAF Board of Directors in the 1980s. This week, RH Reality Check published a moving tribute to Dr. Bardarson by former NAF member Marcy Bloom.

As Bloom notes:

“Dr. Bardarson lived a long, accomplished, and fruitful life and filled his 84 years with joy, wit, skill, love, laughter, hard work, play, family, friends, and wisdom. His Seattle Times obituary describes him as a pioneer abortion provider, champion sailor, and community activist, but that description is really only the beginning.”

>Read the full tribute.

Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.


My husband is in the military and will be deploying soon to Iraq. Going through a deployment is hard; we made the choice to terminate this unplanned pregnancy together. This wasn’t easy, but it was best for us and our own family.

-- ­Submitted by Quinn* through a member clinic


I have one son who is almost two and I myself am only 19, so another child would make things nearly impossible for the both of us. I live on my own and pay just about everything I make towards my home and child. Thank you again for helping me get an abortion. It’s good to see there are people who will help people like me who may have no other choice that will work for them at this time.

-- Submitted by Beatrice* through a member clinic

*Names changed to protect patient privacy

Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.


Thanks to the Hotline for all of your help, without you it would have been impossible for me and my boyfriend to do this. I’m a mother of three, and my last two pregnancies were very hard on me and my babies. My last child was born 12 weeks early and spent three months of his life in the ICU. If I were to continue this pregnancy, it would be life or death for both me and my baby. Again, thank you very much.

--Submitted by Laurie* through a member clinic


I went to a crisis pregnancy center in Arlington, Texas. The web page said they were caring and understood everyone’s situation, and provided all services – abortion, adoption, and parenthood. It was a disaster. They made me watch a 15-minute video on how abortion is the worst option you have, that 50% of women who get an abortion get breast cancer and that 30% die within a year after an abortion. They had a rape victim who said she could forgive her rapist before she could forgive herself for what she did. Then the counselor came in and said I needed to pray with her, to the lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness in considering abortion as an option. She gave me numerous pamphlets about finding God, etc. She began to pray for my soul and tell me abortion wasn’t an option at their center, even though their web page made it seem like they were unbiased and open to whatever the woman chose. I felt so uncomfortable listening to her talk about how I needed to have the baby or God would punish me. She tore me down and made me cry and offered little help, only judgment.

I left in tears, in worse shape than when I had gone in. I was looking for a place that would be open to my idea about ending the pregnancy, and my reasons, and not someone who didn’t give me help and prayed for my soul the whole time. I’m still considering the abortion, but I don’t know where to go now and I don’t feel safe. How do I know I’m going somewhere that won’t treat me the same way? I’m so confused and even more scared now. Why are they allowed to post this image of understanding and options and then tell me I need to pray and make me watch a DVD and hand me pamphlets on how abortion is wrong and horrible and will kill you. This was an awful experience. I’m so scared to even ask anyone about it now, or go to another center.

--Submitted by Sadie* through our website

NOTE: Our Hotline was able to help Sadie find a reputable abortion provider in her area and she was able to obtain the care she needed.


*Names changed to protect patient privacy

Wednesday's Words from Women

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.


I chose to have this abortion because I already have a five-month-old daughter at home. I love her more than anything and I’m trying to get myself through school right now to give her the life she deserves. Her father and I are just not ready to support another baby. The help I got from the Hotline has really helped me out. I appreciate it so much. Thank you!

--Submitted by Catherine* through a member clinic


When I was 19 I got pregnant. I was too young, too financially unstable, too irresponsible, and overall too ill-prepared for parenthood. I owed it to myself to make sure I that I created a future for myself before I could take on the responsibility of anyone else.

Now, ten years later I find myself with another unwanted pregnancy. I am just beginning my career as a writer, my daughter has only just turned one year old, and my husband and I are in the midst of a custody battle for his son.

I am having another abortion, and I don't want to feel like it's a dirty little secret. Both times I made a responsible decision, and I don't want to be shamed into a closet. I refuse to keep silent any further. Thank you for letting me share my story with you.

--Submitted by Trudy* through our website

*Names changed to protect patient privacy

Colorado Voters Reject “Personhood” Amendment

Last night, Colorado voters overwhelming rejected Amendment 62, which would have redefined "person" in the state constitution and granted constitutional rights from the moment of conception. In addition to outlawing abortion, the amendment was so far-reaching that it could have banned commonly used birth control methods like the pill, IUDs, and emergency contraception.

This is the second time in two years that voters in Colorado have defeated such a measure.