Abortion in Memphis

No one can doubt that the topic of abortion and women’s rights is frequently brought up in today’s politics. Rebecca Terrell, executive director of CHOICES, says “Women get used to make political points. And these flames are fanned very deliberately by conservative politicians who know a good socially divisive issue when they see one.”  Especially in the United States, society is placing emphasis on either maintaining women’s rights to terminate their pregnancy, or removing those rights. Both sides are very vocal in this country. 

Even though Tennessee is in the conservative south and considered to be a red state, there are safe places that take care of women. There are a few in Nashville, such as the Women’s Center, and more in East Tennessee, such as the Bristol Regional Women’s Center. In Memphis, however, there are three clinics that provide abortion services: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health (CHOICES), Memphis Area Medical Center, and Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region. 

Planned Parenthood is perhaps the most well-known organization that provides services in health care. Forming in the early 20^th century, it began in New York and soon spread throughout the entire country in every state. Part of its mission statement says that Planned Parenthood “believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence.” It provides services in areas such as birth control, testing for sexually transmitted infections, vasectomies, and of course, abortion. There are four cities in Tennessee that hold Planned Parenthood clinics: Johnson City, Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, whose clinic is located on Poplar Avenue. However, Planned Parenthood is not the only choice for a woman who might need abortion services.

            CHOICES is a medical center located near the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Evergreen Street, a white and green brick building placed in a densely populated area of the city. The organization’s mission statement, posted on its website, states that it is there “to empower individuals in the Mid-South community to make informed choices for and about their reproductive health.” In addition to extending their aid to men and children as well, and helping individuals with sexually transmitted infections, LGBT issues and birth control, this center offers a variety of ways to assist a woman who wants to terminate her pregnancy. Both surgical and medical abortions are offered, with surgical abortions(abortion by operation) being offered to women who are between 6-15 weeks pregnant, and medical abortions(abortion by medication) being offered from only 6-9 weeks. 

            Rebecca Terrell, as mentioned above, works for this organization. She is a woman who believes that places like CHOICES are absolutely necessary and beneficial to women.

            “We offer excellent, safe, clinical care in a compassionate and caring environment,” she says. “We also advocate for the rights of all people to make informed choices about their reproductive health and lives.” Terrell’s views on abortion have not changed, and tend to be in favor of a woman’s choice. “I have always thought that women should have the right to decide if and when they had children.  I have always been pro-choice.”

            However confident Terrell may be in her convictions, others may be doubtful or even hateful towards her practices. When asked about patients’ reactions toward having to get an abortion, she said that “emotions run the gamut from sadness to elation.  Many women are sad that their circumstances do not support continuing a pregnancy: not enough money, no job, bad relationship.  Some women are so relieved that they have a safe and legal option.” Yet the nervousness of some patients is the least of the less positive reactions. Terrell mentions protestors outside of the clinics, who sometimes yell at staff and patients as they make their way inside.

            This shows the negative reaction towards clinics that provide abortion services, from protestors who frequent CHOICES to groups such as 40 Days for Life. 40 Days for Life is a Christian campaign that is dedicated to showing the world the horrible side of abortion. Their website mentions that it “takes a determined, peaceful, and lawful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, and it puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion in America.” They have practices such as praying, fasting, and bringing the community a pro-life message. This group also can be seen holding signs displaying “Pray to End Abortion” in front of places such as Planned Parenthood.

            Libby Park, a member of this group, is very passionate about the direction abortion is taking in this country and believes that women should “make a more life giving choice, other than the destruction of their baby.” Park indeed feels the need to help women who might make the choice of terminating their pregnancy.

            Park has been a Christian for a while, and every fall and spring for 40 days, she joins a group of people who attempt to persuade potential abortion patients to make another choice. “There is help, and no woman should feel like they need to make that choice, no matter what life situations they have,” she says. “That’s where prayer comes in, and we ask God to please intervene and touch their hearts.”

            Park is among those who hope that one day abortion practices will cease to exist in this country. “I really do think one day it will be,” she says, “when we all come to realize what a tragedy it has been, and how many different people are not here because of it. Our world is not the way it’s supposed to be.” The efforts of Park and 40 Days for Life try to achieve that goal. They reach out to everyone, even women who have had an abortion, to spread their views about every potential human’s right to live.

            Naturally, Terrell has an opposing view, and believes that the abolition of safe abortion clinics would be a bad thing. “Women will continue to try to end unwanted pregnancies,” she says. “They will seek illegal providers, order drugs over the internet, try to self-abort.  Many women will die as they did prior to Roe v. Wade in 1973.” This is why CHOICES is so important to Terrell. The lives of women are at stake and her work can insure their safety. “At CHOICES we are transforming the way that reproductive health is perceived and delivered in our community.  I regret that I don’t have more hours in my days!”