We Testify connects abortion storytellers with journalists

Organization dedicated to removing stigmas and silence around procedure

We Testify began as a platform for women of color to share their abortion stories. The staff with the group wanted to change the narrative and imagery associated with an abortion. They connect abortion storytellers with reporters and anchors to reduce the stigma surrounding the commonplace medical procedure. 

“Saying the word abortion and telling your own abortion stories significantly reduces that stigma,” said Emma Hernandez, communications manager for the group. 

People who share their abortion stories go through a curriculum prepared by the organization that teaches them how to talk about their experiences with journalists. That may be done through a weekend retreat. 

“We'll unpack some of those different circumstances, identify what parts of the story they want to tell, what they don't want to tell at this time, where what was their comfort level, moving to some of the emotional triggers that could come from telling your story and the create a plan of action with them,” Hernandez said.

We Testify also produces publications, including Comics for Change, in which they illustrate some of the abortion stories that they’ve heard from women they interviewed. They also archive different depictions of abortions in television and film. 

Hernandez said they see a lot of commonalities between black and brown women who had abortions. Many face transportation barriers or obstacles to access. Some of the problems they see are inadequate funds to pay for abortions, too many children and excessive travel costs and time. 

“The issue of abortion stigma is something that's really a big part of our work at We Testify because we understand how that impacts policy around a medical procedure that's super common,” Hernandez said. 

For more information, visit We Testify