Gina's Story
This letter is for my friend Gina. Gina, I am sure, would have written a letter for herself but she died in 1969. We were both freshmen in college, 18 years old, full of adventure, and thought we knew everything. Gina died of septic shock caused by an infection from the illegal abortion she obtained in Mexico.
When Gina returned from Mexico, we knew she was sick, but she wouldn't go to the local doctors. Her parents had thrown her older sister out of the house when she became pregnant. Gina was afraid to tell her parents about the pregnancy itself. To speak of an abortion was unthinkable.
After Gina finally collapsed it was too late. None of her friends were able to attend Gina's funeral, and her parents made sure no one really knew why she died.
But I knew, and I will never forget my lovely, witty, wonderful friend, Gina. She would be here today if abortions had been legal in 1969. How can anyone forget that?
Signed,
Gina's friend
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