Women should set abortion policy — only women
can see reasons for it, and I can see reasons against it.”
That is how a 2008 potential Republican presidential nominee, then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York City, essentially articulated his response when pressed on his opinion, his personal feelings concerning the issue of abortion. He answered honestly. And the stakes could not have been higher. It wasn’t what the base of the Republican Party wanted to hear. And it proved to be the undoing of his bid to win the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
When I heard this, I noticed something, something that continued throughout the nomination process. Here were a bunch of men discussing abortion and their various opinions on the practice. Not a woman represented on the pulpit. Not a woman’s voice to be heard. Soon it became clear to me, what some might refer to as a possible glimpse into the future. Considering this is coming from a bipolar mind, I will try to be as clear as I can.
Men will never be put in the position of making this most personal of decisions because of their inherent, basic physiology. They don’t possess this awesome power. Therefore, why should men dictate the laws and regulations concerning the point of dispute around abortion? And that leads us to the new paradigm.
Hold a national referendum in which women, and only women, set the policy of this great country of ours regarding abortion. Have women determine the legality of the practice and its implementation. Keep men off the pulpit for this one, and allow women to decide for one another.
Sheryl Sandberg wrote in her inspirational book, Lean In, a call for all of us to lean in and do our part to bring more equality for women in the workforce and in government: “How are we going to take down the barriers that prevent more women from getting to the top?” She goes on to write, “I am also writing this for any man who wants to understand what a woman — a colleague, wife, mother, or daughter — is up against so that he can do his part to build an equal world.”
This is my bid to lean in, to help women rise up, on both sides of the issue of abortion, and decide without the interference of men. And this will lead to women’s voices being heard like never before. A vigorous debate; and within that debate, champions will rise. New figures, female role models, will come to be. The leaders of the future will ascend. It will be contentious on both sides of the issue, but I am convinced there is more than a possibility it will happen.
I would like to conclude with my diagnosis in 2002 of bipolar disorder. It really shook me to the core. I felt hollow and marginalized — until the moment I had this concept on the women-only vote in 2007. Then I soared to the heights of feeling that I had something to say, something to contribute. When I told close family about my idea, the response wasn’t what I expected. They did not see what I had seen. I also confided in my therapist about this, and he thought I should be more practical in my pursuits.
I guess I’m telling you about my bipolar diagnosis because I think it was part of the reason I saw the issue in this way. And also to speak to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the stigma attached to it. To show there is a way through. Just keep fighting the good fight.