Evelyn

A few years ago I could care less about government and the things happening around me. I was only focused on my own life and what directly affected me. And as a young pre-teen, I assumed a big government hundreds of miles away had no influence in my every day actions.

This all changed when I became sexually active at the age of fourteen. I went to Planned Parenthood by myself and was amazed when I got a years’ worth of birth control pills for free.

“I have never been more passionate about anything before this experience.”

After an early pregnancy scare I realized how important this access was. I was 15 at the time, and I didn’t want a baby. I wanted to spend time with my friends, not be a mother.

However, not being ready to parent a child should not mean you can’t have sex. By being able to get my own protection I felt so proud and in control of my body. I was making an educated choice that I could be happy with.

Going to Planned Parenthood I was never judged or put down. I was just given what I needed – no questions asked. To me providing access to free reproductive health care to women gives them control of their decisions, to make a safe smart choice.

I have never been more passionate about anything before this experience.

Growing up and seeing that my government was looking out for me made me realize how ready I was to get involved and help young women just like me to be safe without judgment.