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WillyT

(72,631 posts)
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 09:30 PM Aug 2012

WARNING GRAPHIC: This Is About Abortion, And Is Rough Stuff... The Backstory...

In April of 2004, I journeyed with my mom and two of my three sisters to Washington D.C. to attended the March For Women's Lives.



My mom tells a story about her three miscarriages before I, her eldest, was born.

She says that the male doctors of the time called her a "habitual aborter", and told her she could never carry a child to term.

Then came me... Then two more, both daughters, another miscarraige... then my baby sister.

Mom, now 83, yells bullshit at the right-wing loons, and this Todd Akin story is infuriating to her. She thought this shit was behind us.

That's the family backstory...but the March For Women's Lives backstory is also important.

With all the great speakers, with all the music, poetry, and chants of protest... there came a very personal moment for a crowd of about a million people... people, as in women and the men that support them.

The children of, the two daughters of, Geraldine Santoro took to the stage. And they spoke eloquently... they supported the crowd and urged them to never forget... and to keep fighting the good fight... and...

They wanted to show the crowd what the real consequences of abortion being illegal was...

They were there to show the most humiliating and graphic circumstance of their mother's death... and to hold onto each other as they did so... but they thought that it was important for all of us to know... just what the stakes were/are... and not in abstract terms... but in real life... this was our mom... terms.


So... I will post what their mother looked like as a normal vibrant women, with her whole life in front of her...


Gerri Sandro's senior high school picture
Born August 16, 1935 - Connecticut, United States
Died June 8, 1964 (aged 28) - Connecticut, United States


And I will also post how here body was found... as her very own daughters did for millions of people and the press... and as I take no pleasure in this kind of thing... and as you may NOT want to see this picture... I will space it down far enough so that YOU will have to find it to see it...

But this is what the reality used to be, and still is in place, for many,many women...

We DO NOT GO BACK TO THIS !!!
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68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
WARNING GRAPHIC: This Is About Abortion, And Is Rough Stuff... The Backstory... (Original Post) WillyT Aug 2012 OP
March For Women's Lives -- Yes, I remember it well rocktivity Aug 2012 #1
I have seen this picture before, and it never fails to horrify me... CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2012 #2
I havent... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2012 #15
And, the most disgusting part about that... GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #54
"no apologies for the language"... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2012 #56
You don't spend much time in The Lounge do you? GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #58
If I am in the lounge... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2012 #62
You should drop on in every once in a while. GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #63
I might just do that. nt awoke_in_2003 Aug 2012 #64
horrifying. Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #3
Don't want an abortion? Don't have one. But they are LEGAL and we will keep them that way. AzDar Aug 2012 #4
I remember seeing this photo Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #5
DUer 'control-z' is one of her daughters. alittlelark Aug 2012 #6
I was at the March for Womens Lives. riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #7
It was hard to rec this but it needs to be seen. MadrasT Aug 2012 #8
. Starry Messenger Aug 2012 #9
And A MAJOR Hat-Tip To niyad, For Reminding Me Of This... WillyT Aug 2012 #10
I have daughters. I worry all the time that we will return to this someday. rurallib Aug 2012 #11
Thank you fo rthe OP, for the reminder, and even for truedelphi Aug 2012 #12
"I can never figure out if I am angry or afraid or just plain sad." WillyT Aug 2012 #13
me? handmade34 Aug 2012 #19
I can only speak for myself... Scootaloo Aug 2012 #51
Well, they want us to be "productive" not unproductive. truedelphi Aug 2012 #55
... TahitiNut Aug 2012 #14
i hope angry because sad is passive and we can not afford it dembotoz Aug 2012 #16
Thanks to her family for having the courage to publish this. Liberty Belle Aug 2012 #17
"Pro-life" site quoted only HockeyMom Aug 2012 #53
Shocking new stats: 1 in 38 pregnancies is ectopic! Liberty Belle Aug 2012 #68
K&R n/t DeSwiss Aug 2012 #18
K&R B Calm Aug 2012 #20
kick JanMichael Aug 2012 #21
That Is My Wish As Well... WillyT Aug 2012 #24
thank you for this, and for posting that pic (which I could not figure out how to do) niyad Aug 2012 #22
Your Post, Generated My Post. WillyT Aug 2012 #25
you are welcome niyad Aug 2012 #37
Ghastly ailsagirl Aug 2012 #23
This is why we fight, and I don't believe 1 in 10 of you would even get off the couch Egalitarian Thug Aug 2012 #26
You don't know that. Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #45
Yes I do, Just like Erma saw, it's painfully obvious that the numbers of committed feminists Egalitarian Thug Aug 2012 #67
Willy T, I know who this woman was. I'm sorry, you need to edit it. Please. NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #27
That picture was in magazines. It's been on DU before. There's a graphic warning on the OP. LeftyMom Aug 2012 #29
That it was published before is NOT AN EXCUSE!!! NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #31
Do I know you? Control-Z Aug 2012 #33
Hey... I'll Delete This Whole Thing If You Want e To... WillyT Aug 2012 #35
Willy, I love you and think the OP is important and poignant. NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #36
I would prefer you respect the victim and her family by using an edited pic... NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #30
That's Your Solution ??? WillyT Aug 2012 #32
The image is personal. NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #34
I Was At A Forum With Over One Million Human Beings, Her Daughters Were There, And That Picture... WillyT Aug 2012 #39
I disagree Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #46
IF the woman's daughter is ok with the image... YellowRubberDuckie Aug 2012 #50
Thanks for your mom's story. freshwest Aug 2012 #28
+1 NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #38
I'm sorry it's been a rough night for you. Care Acutely Aug 2012 #40
Thank you. NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #41
Hey N_S... Been There Four Times In The Last Three Years... WillyT Aug 2012 #42
K&R. As graphic and heartbreaking as it is . . . tilsammans Aug 2012 #43
That happened to Mitt Romney's "dear relative" Freddie Aug 2012 #44
One of her brave daughters is a DUer Duppers Aug 2012 #47
+1 Starry Messenger Aug 2012 #48
Jesus! lunatica Aug 2012 #49
That's One Of The Things That Was So Powerful About It... I've Never Been Among A Million People WillyT Aug 2012 #59
kick Blue_Tires Aug 2012 #52
Evening Kick !!! WillyT Aug 2012 #57
+1 Poll_Blind Aug 2012 #60
.... The Doctor. Aug 2012 #61
. lunatica Aug 2012 #65
Just Thought You Ought To Know... And Control-Z... WillyT Aug 2012 #66

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,308 posts)
2. I have seen this picture before, and it never fails to horrify me...
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 09:36 PM
Aug 2012

She died from an illegal abortion. She was trying to go forward in her life, and instead, this horrible thing happened to her, because abortion was not legal.

Never again, never another season of silence!

Thank you for posting this, my dear WillyT. Those who have not seen it, should see it.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
15. I havent...
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 11:36 PM
Aug 2012

Last edited Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:30 PM - Edit history (1)

but if the fuckers (excuse my French, Peggy, I can't think of a better word) get their way, this will once again be a common thing.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
54. And, the most disgusting part about that...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 09:40 AM
Aug 2012

Those fuckers (no apologies for the language, as "fuckers" doesn't even begin to describe them) DON'T CARE that more women will wind up like that. In fact, many of these so-called "pro-lifers" believe these women DESERVE this kind of fate. They aren't going to to get their way, if I have anything to do with it.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
56. "no apologies for the language"...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 05:27 PM
Aug 2012

yeah, I know- I just don't feel comfortable using that word in a post to Peggy. It is totally called for in this instance, but she is such a dear that it is like using it around my mother.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
58. You don't spend much time in The Lounge do you?
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 06:44 PM
Aug 2012

I understand what you mean, but I wouldn't worry if I were you. The stuff she and I and others see in The Lounge is much, much worse. Like this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018179573

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
62. If I am in the lounge...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 07:57 PM
Aug 2012

it is an accident. Not slamming it, I am just usually in GD, LBN, or Atheist and Agnostics.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
63. You should drop on in every once in a while.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 08:17 PM
Aug 2012

It's a great place to get away from it all. If you ever need a laugh, that's the place to visit. Great bunch of people there.

Le Taz Hot

(22,271 posts)
5. I remember seeing this photo
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 09:44 PM
Aug 2012

in the early 70's and it horrified me. This photo is what inspired me to get active in the women's movement. That image is literally seared into my brain. THIS is what illegal abortion looks like.

 

riderinthestorm

(23,272 posts)
7. I was at the March for Womens Lives.
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 09:46 PM
Aug 2012

30 years as a rape crisis counselor and women's shelter volunteer - I just felt I had to be there.

Gerri Santoro's children are an inspiration. One of them is a long time DUer.

K&R.

MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
8. It was hard to rec this but it needs to be seen.
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 09:48 PM
Aug 2012

So people understand this is a huge fucking deal.

I am past being able to be pregnant myself but it's not about me. It's about all women, everywhere, and how we have suffered when men make laws to try to control OUR BODIES.

truedelphi

(32,324 posts)
12. Thank you fo rthe OP, for the reminder, and even for
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 10:52 PM
Aug 2012

The photo.

I can never figure out if I am angry or afraid or just plain sad.

The thing is, those preaching the barf about abortion being wrong are such hypocrites. Just a half a dozen years back, the local press revealed that priests here in Northern Calif persuaded their very young consorts to have abortions, so that no one would know about the pregnancies and also so their careers as priests could continue.

There were even carefully written statements from the Catholic Church to tell us that such men have dealt with a spiritual challenge -- an occasion that they rose to !!!! And then our prayers are asked for.

All I can think of is the contrast -- like how when some scared seventeen year old has an abortion, it is a mortal sin, for that tramp of a woman. But if it is a priest encouraging the victim of his pedophilia to have an abortion, it is a "spiritual challenge."

handmade34

(22,755 posts)
19. me?
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:03 AM
Aug 2012

I am fucking ANGRY!! I know the stories... I used herbs when it was illegal; I was lucky, many weren't... this is absolute bullshit that the republicans are pushing and I am fighting mad!!

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
51. I can only speak for myself...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 08:23 AM
Aug 2012

But I hear, see stuff like this, and I feel two things; first is disappointment. How is it possible, in this day and age, in our culture, that even the basic shit fails to be understood? Realization that no matter what struggle it is, it's like Sisyphus and his rock. Over and over again.

The next is rage. Unproductive I know, but... that's what it is.

truedelphi

(32,324 posts)
55. Well, they want us to be "productive" not unproductive.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 04:06 PM
Aug 2012

Sorry - lame joke.

Rage is good. In fact, in the Buddhist world, rage is the fourth world, far above hunger and hell. And it is viewed as being the entry way to enlightenment.

Without rage, who would become motivated? Who would make a plan to defeat the obstacles?

Liberty Belle

(9,528 posts)
17. Thanks to her family for having the courage to publish this.
Thu Aug 23, 2012, 11:44 PM
Aug 2012

When I was a young married women with a much wanted pregnancy, I became doubled over with pain. My doctor thought it was a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy and though he's a good Catholic docotor told me I'd need to terminate the pregnancy to save my life, if this proved to be the case. Thankfully it was a misdiagnosis.

But a friend of mine nearly died of the same condition. I learned that 1 in every 50 to 100 pregnancies is ectopic, meaing the fertilized egg implants in the Fallopian tube, not the womb. You cannot possibly carry it to term. If nothing is done, the tube bursts and the woman risks peritonitis, sterility or death. There is no "baby" to save since there is no room for a fetus to develop in the tube. My friend collapsed and was taken to the hospital. She had no insurance. Her coworkers including me decided to pitch in to pay for the abortion she needed to save her life.

Mercifully she miscarried before it could be done. But it she hadn't I would have gladly helped her to survive, as any decent caring human being should do.

1 in 50 to 100. That could be your sister, daughter, or friend. This is just one of many conditions that are life threatening. What of the woman who develops cancer and needs chemotherapy? They won't do if you are pregnant. There are so many other conditions that are dangerous. It enrages me that the right wing wants to risk women's lives--condemn some women to death--to impose their narrow minded religious agendas.

 

HockeyMom

(14,337 posts)
53. "Pro-life" site quoted only
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 09:38 AM
Aug 2012

351 ectopic pregnancies in the entire US form 1980 to 2010. Do you believe that statistic? They called this a Red Herring. So RARE it almost never happens and that the situation will "resolve itself" without aborting the fetus. Do they mean like letting the tube rupture? Put a woman's life in danger on PURPOSE? How do you abort a embryo (most times it IS an embryo) when it's probably already dead to begin with?

I had an tubal pregnancy in 1982. My brother-in-law's sister had a tubal in 1981. RARE?

Liberty Belle

(9,528 posts)
68. Shocking new stats: 1 in 38 pregnancies is ectopic!
Sat Aug 25, 2012, 03:40 AM
Aug 2012
http://phys.org/news/2011-04-tubal-pregnancies.html

Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, about as reliable as it gets.

This is alarming - the rate ectopic pregnancies has risen to over 26.2 per 1,000. That's 2.62 per 100 - or 1 in every 38 pregnancies.


Rising rates of tubal pregnancies cause concern

<snip>
April 5, 2011Although some experts thought the problem was becoming less common, the study suggests otherwise.

<snip>The study looked at female inpatients and outpatients, ages 15 to 44 years, enrolled in Group Health Cooperative over a 15-year period. Group Health Cooperative is a managed care system that serves residents of the state of Washington and of western Idaho.

The new study, which appears online and in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, looked at 2,114 cases of ectopic pregnancy. Of these, 726 occurred in inpatients and 1,388 in outpatients. Trabert conducted the study as part of her doctoral dissertation at the University of Washington. The study did notfocus on the reasons for any of the trends, which included an increase from 19.2 to 26.2 tubal pregnancies per 1,000 pregnancies over the 1993 to 2007 timeframe. “There are a number of factors that have contributed to this apparent increase in ectopic pregnancies,” said Debbie Kirkpatrick M.D., a vice chair for clinical affairs in the obstetrics and gynecology department at Indiana University.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2011-04-tubal-pregnancies.html#jCp

niyad

(112,435 posts)
22. thank you for this, and for posting that pic (which I could not figure out how to do)
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:11 AM
Aug 2012

it is beyond disgusting that it looks like we need to do this march again, although I doubt it would make any difference.

 

Egalitarian Thug

(12,448 posts)
26. This is why we fight, and I don't believe 1 in 10 of you would even get off the couch
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:18 AM
Aug 2012

to stop this from happening again. Prove me wrong.

"We've got a generation now who were born with semiequality. They don't know how it was before, so they think, this isn't too bad. We're working. We have our attache' cases and our three piece suits. I get very disgusted with the younger generation of women. We had a torch to pass, and they are just sitting there. They don't realize it can be taken away. Things are going to have to get worse before they join in fighting the battle." - Erma Bombeck (1927 - 1996)

Le Taz Hot

(22,271 posts)
45. You don't know that.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 04:30 AM
Aug 2012

There are a lot of activists on this board. If you want people to "get off their couch" persuade them, don't insult them.

 

Egalitarian Thug

(12,448 posts)
67. Yes I do, Just like Erma saw, it's painfully obvious that the numbers of committed feminists
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 09:39 PM
Aug 2012

that understand the real risks we face are too small and are shrinking.

As I said, prove me wrong.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
27. Willy T, I know who this woman was. I'm sorry, you need to edit it. Please.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:23 AM
Aug 2012

Last edited Fri Aug 24, 2012, 09:44 AM - Edit history (1)

I love you, Willy T, but this post perpetuates the horror this voiceless woman is enduring.

many of us have seen it before. I knew who she is/was.

posting it is great stuff to get recs and to get emotions, i support the use of it to get emotions up.

but don't you think it's a tiny bit exploitative?

the graphic warning doesn't cut it.

you should instead use 1000 words. Or you can post an edited version.

poor woman.

I'm going to alert, but it probably won't be hidden.

I hope that you will edit the picture out in respect of the woman who had no choice in your posting the pic.

Please, man, please delete or edit.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
29. That picture was in magazines. It's been on DU before. There's a graphic warning on the OP.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:32 AM
Aug 2012

You had to scroll down to see it.

I'm questioning your motives in alerting, because your stated reason seems... unlikely.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
31. That it was published before is NOT AN EXCUSE!!!
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:34 AM
Aug 2012

I know her family.

This fucking hurts.

It is NOT OK.

 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
35. Hey... I'll Delete This Whole Thing If You Want e To...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:44 AM
Aug 2012

I hope you read the OP. but I will go with your say so, either way.




 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
36. Willy, I love you and think the OP is important and poignant.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:46 AM
Aug 2012

If you'll just replace the pic with the one I created tonight, I would be so very appreciative, and delete my mean replies.

It just sets me off, that police pic that got out into the public's hands.

Use my blue edit pic, I made it for you.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
30. I would prefer you respect the victim and her family by using an edited pic...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:32 AM
Aug 2012

and use this one instead.




Thank you,

 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
32. That's Your Solution ???
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:38 AM
Aug 2012

To post a square of blue blur, so NOBODY sees the horror ???

I'm sorry...I'll go with her daughter's wishes.

And I feel bad that you feel bad.

But please reread the OP.


 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
39. I Was At A Forum With Over One Million Human Beings, Her Daughters Were There, And That Picture...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:55 AM
Aug 2012

was shown... to over million people, plus press.

They did it to make a political point.

A DAMNED UNCONFORTABLE POLIOTICAL POINT.

But one that we need to hear, and be adults about.

The photos from Auschwitz should have been hidden ???

Le Taz Hot

(22,271 posts)
46. I disagree
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 04:35 AM
Aug 2012

and I'm a hyper-sensitive which means pictures like this one haunt me for the rest of my life. Literally. The one and only time I've ever seen this picture was in a magazine in about 1973. It inspired me to immediately get involved in the Women's Movement. I was 18 at the time and I haven't stopped my activism. People NEED to see what illegal abortions look like and the consequences of denying a woman's right to choose a SAFE, legal abortion.

YellowRubberDuckie

(19,736 posts)
50. IF the woman's daughter is ok with the image...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 08:04 AM
Aug 2012

...then it is OK. Leave it be. People need to see it. I needed this post. I never would have known what had happened if people weren't sharing this stuff, and, I know this is funny, but Dirty Dancing opened my eyes a a child to this horrible reality.
My heart and love goes out to the daughters of this woman. We will fight to keep going forward in the name of your mother and all of the others who died needlessly, senselessly, just because some MAN wanted to control her life.
Duckie

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
38. +1
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 12:50 AM
Aug 2012

83 and still kicking!

My mom went into the ER tonight but that's kind of par for the course, she's 86.

:groughug:

Care Acutely

(1,370 posts)
40. I'm sorry it's been a rough night for you.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 01:10 AM
Aug 2012

Par for the course or not, having your mom in the ER is difficult, emotionally speaking. You should try to set aside some calming, soothing time for yourself at some point.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
41. Thank you.
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 01:17 AM
Aug 2012

It's nothing new the mom thing, what's new is that dad was in ER yesterday and this is a four year long stretch toward the difficult decision of forcing a change away from living in their own home and into a facility.

don't want to hijack this thread tho...

Thanks.

tilsammans

(2,549 posts)
43. K&R. As graphic and heartbreaking as it is . . .
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 01:35 AM
Aug 2012

. . . people need to know, especially younger folks coming up now.

Freddie

(9,232 posts)
44. That happened to Mitt Romney's "dear relative"
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 04:23 AM
Aug 2012

And he wants it to start happening again.

Every day he spits on Ann Keenan's grave.

There is a special place on hell for those who wish a return to those days.

WE ARE NOT GOING BACK.

Duppers

(28,094 posts)
47. One of her brave daughters is a DUer
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 05:48 AM
Aug 2012

One of the daughters of Geraldine Santoro who took to the stage that day and spoke so eloquently is DUer Control-Z. We all can be very proud of her bravery.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
49. Jesus!
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 08:02 AM
Aug 2012

I'm sitting here crying my eyes out!

Never. Fucking. Again!

I can literally feel my heart hurting.

 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
59. That's One Of The Things That Was So Powerful About It... I've Never Been Among A Million People
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 06:53 PM
Aug 2012

And when the daughters spoke, and the JumboTrons flashed that image to the throng of people...

I KNOW I've never seen a million people hushed, go silent in contemplation, sob, and shed a few tears...

I will never forget that moment.


 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
66. Just Thought You Ought To Know... And Control-Z...
Fri Aug 24, 2012, 09:11 PM
Aug 2012

Bless you, your sister, and your mom.

Thank you.






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