As We Testify abortion storytellers and tireless advocates for ensuring abortion access for those most likely to face barriers, Renee and Daniela are also friends who have found support and friendship among fellow storytellers.De’Jonnae Boyd, a Washington, D.C. resident, has worked in the reproductive justice field as an advocate and activist for a number of years. In her spare time, she loves to hit the streets of D.C and Baltimore (her hometown) with her Canon to capture the intimacy of blackness and womanhood.

“I have felt in the past like an outcast in my own home state for having an abortion. I will no longer apologize or seclude myself for saving my own life and future that I share with my little family."

"A major battle I faced from going through an abortion is the guilt. I kept thinking, ‘I must bring a child into this world one day’ as if I owed it to the universe in some way. I no longer think in this manner. My life will be fulfilled no matter what happens, children or no children.”

"It feels wonderful to be able to fight for reproductive rights by simply telling my story. It’s such a simple act, but it makes me feel extremely powerful. I get to write the narrative around my abortion, only me. Abortion deserves to be front and center, and I’m gunna show it off!”

My friends supported me through the process and my health insurance paid the bill. I had paid time off from work, so taking time to attend my appointment and recover afterwards wasn’t a problem. I know my experience isn’t common for people in Ohio. We’ve seen restriction after restriction making it harder for people to access abortion care when they need it.

"My abortion experience was a series of positive and negative emotions: courage and fear, support and isolation, comfort and embarrassment, all of which were important factors in my decision making process."