After sharing her heartbreaking abortion story, Sally Field has sparked a viral response online, with women coming forward using the hashtag #wewontgoback to highlight the importance of protecting reproductive rights in America.
The 77-year-old actress – who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in September – shared the “horrific story” in an Instagram post on Sunday, recounting her illegal abortion in Mexico when she was just 17.
Field also admitted that the doctor who performed the procedure abused her and that she was not given pain medication.
Her story resonated with many people, with illegal abortion a reality for many young women today who live in states where access to abortion has been limited since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.
Field received an outpouring of support after sharing her story, in which she emphasized the importance of voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the upcoming election and supporting ballot initiatives that protect reproductive freedom.
Sally Field has shared heartbreaking details about the illegal abortion she had in Mexico when she was just 17 years old
“Wow, this is hard to watch. Hard to know. But it is reality,” one user commented, adding the hashtag #WeWontGoBack.
“So brave of her to share this with us, but that’s exactly what it was like for women in America,” another commented.
“So grateful to @sallyfield for sharing her story. So many women can relate in some way,” another agreed, using the same hashtag.
“I didn’t know this about Sally Field, but I’m so glad she shared this. #WeWontGoBack,” wrote another.
The Mrs Doubtfire actress shared her emotional story in a video on Instagram and admitted she is ‘still’ very ashamed of it.
“Because I grew up in the 1950s and it’s deeply ingrained in me,” the actress said in the video posted online.
‘I have been so hesitant to do this, to tell my horrific story. It was once worse than it is now. A time when contraception was not readily available and only if you were married.
“But I feel like so many women of my generation have experienced similar, traumatic events, and I feel stronger when I think about them. I believe that, like me, they should want to fight for their grandchildren and all the young women of this country.”
The Mrs Doubtfire actress shared her emotional story in a video on Instagram and admitted she is ‘still’ very ashamed of it
Field received a wave of support after sharing her story, highlighting the importance of voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the upcoming election.
Her story resonated with many people, with illegal abortion a reality for many young women today who live in states where access to abortion has been limited since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.
She explained that she had “no choices, family support or finances” at the time.
“I graduated high school, but no one ever said, ‘What about college?’ Nothing. I didn’t know what I would become.
“And then I found out I was pregnant.”
She said a family doctor and his wife, who were family friends, drove her and her mother to Tijuana, Mexico, in their brand new Cadillac.
In harrowing detail, she went on to say: “We parked on a very dirty looking street. It was scary and he parked about three blocks away and said, “See that building down there?”
“And he gave me an envelope with cash and I had to walk into that building and give them the cash and then come right back to him.”
Sally described the abortion, which occurred before the now-overturned Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade, as “extremely horrible and life-changing.”
The procedure was performed without anesthesia, with just a technician giving me a few puffs of ether, but then taking it away, leaving my arms and legs feeling numb and weird, but I felt everything – how much pain I felt. was inside.’
Field said she then realized the technician was actually harassing her, recalling “so I had to figure out, how can I get my arms moving to push him away?”
‘So it was just an absolute disgrace. And when it was done, they said, ‘Go, go, go, go!’ as if the building was on fire. They didn’t want me there; You know, it was illegal.”
Field praised the doctor for his “generosity” and “courage” in helping her, explaining that “he would have lost his license if anyone had found out.”
In her caption, she said reproductive rights are “one of the reasons so many of us support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
“Everyone, please pay attention to this election, up and down the ballot, in every state – especially those with ballot initiatives that could protect reproductive freedom. Please. We can’t go back!’
Finally, she wrote, “So here is my story. I would be honored if you would tell me yours, if you can.”