MY FIRST THANKS go to three women deeply loved and so recently lost: Ruth Hoffman (1917–2008), Mahin Hassibi (1937–2009), and Cynthia Colquitt-Craven (1941–2009). Vividly present by their absence, they infused my creative process with demands for clarity and truth.
My deepest appreciation to family and friends whose love, support, and just being there have been invaluable to me: Michael Dubow, for being a loving anchor and wise counsel; Diane Dubow, for gently accepting our differences; Jackie Rovine, for her ambition and psychological courage; Lisa Norton, for her empathy and reinforcement; Carolee Lucenti, for always laughing and forgiving; Linda Stein, for her vision and love; Vaughna Feary, for her wisdom and guidance; Andrea Peyser, for her wit and solidarity; Bill Baird, for sharing the front lines and lifelong support; and Stanley Rustin, for being the psychological bookends of my life—my trusted, loving witness.
I want to express my gratitude to my staff at Choices, the doctors, nurses, and administration who have made it possible not only to do the work we do but also to survive and write about it. Thanks especially to Dr. Lorna Aguilos, for her loyalty, persistence, and belief in the mission; to Carmine Asparro, for being an ally, friend, and guru through the most difficult of times; and to Annette Farrell, for sharing the growth, struggles, and triumphs of Choices for so many years and coming back for more.
This book is also an offering to my patients. The work, the mission, and this book would never have been possible without the thousands and thousands of women and girls who have come to Choices through all the years in trust and hope. Their persistence and dignity in the face of obstacles, violence, and harassment are a testament to their courage. Quiet heroines all, it is a privilege and a gift to have spent my life serving them.
Much appreciation goes to all the writers, activists, and editors at On the Issues Magazine, who have assisted me in creating the voice of a visionary, progressive feminism—particularly my extraordinary editor Cindy Cooper who shares my passion for reproductive justice; Mark Phillips, for his creative and technological brilliance; Mary Lou Greenberg, for always being there with me on the front and written lines in the struggle for abortion rights; and to Vanessa Valenti, my social marketing guru.
Particular thanks to Jennifer Baumgardner, for being able to share the struggles of the movement, the joy of our children, and for creating the initial outline for this book. My first editor, reader, and longtime ally, she was instrumental in bringing this book to life.
Special thanks to my archivist Laura Micham at the Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History and Culture at Duke University, for her consistent public support of my work. Her assistance with the research for this project has been invaluable.
My deep appreciation to Florence Howe for her pioneering vision in creating the Feminist Press. My book could not have found a better home. Many thanks to executive director Gloria Jacobs for strongly believing in this project and having the courage to use the A word. Much gratitude and admiration to my dear friend Blanche Wiesen Cook for her long friendship and early consistent support for this project.
This book would not be possible without the creative political intelligence, razor-sharp instincts, and feel for my particular literary rhythm of Feminist Press editorial director Amy Scholder—it has been a rare privilege working with her. Thanks also to the staff of the Feminist Press, Drew Stevens, Sophie Hagen, Jeanann Pannasch, and Elizabeth Koke for their assistance in this process.
And special, deep, and enduring appreciation to Theresa Noll, my editor who worked intimately with me for two years helping craft a form and narrative arc onto the whirlwind of my life. She was a gentle navigator, drawing me into my past and away from my own resistance.
And of course eternal gratitude to my daughter Sasharina —North Star of my autumn, who is forever challenging and delighting me.
And finally to Elizabeth Tudor (a.k.a. Queen Elizabeth I of England), for serving as my imaginary companion and role model for as long as I can remember.