Background

Sarah Bruner and Maya Pindyck started Project Voice in 2005, shortly after Maya had an abortion. Maya was living with Sarah and three other friends, and at first only shared her experience with her housemates. "I feel like so many women out there have had abortions but don't talk about it," Sarah commented. "I wonder how many people I know have had them."

Sarah began to broach the subject publicly, and learned about abortions had by close friends and family. Meanwhile, Maya opened up about her own experience and was surprised to discover the same. They decided to make a website documenting as many personal stories as possible.

The Project

1.3 million women in the U.S. have abortions each year, yet many feel secretive or alone in their decision. By posting as many anonymous stories as possible, Project Voice hopes to show that women need not feel alone, as abortion is a choice many women have made, and continue to make, for their own reasons.

The voices of these women are easily overwhelmed by the political language of the "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" debate. This dichotomy undermines the reality and range of experiences that Project Voice seeks to illuminate. We hope to show that abortion is a decision unbounded by background, race, age, religion, or circumstance. Perhaps this will weaken the stigma that abortion is a choice made by certain women.

This website began as an oral history project, but it is ongoing. As more women submit their abortion stories online, Project Voice will better represent the multiplicity of personal experiences. There is no "right" story for Project Voice. These are stories by women who feel relief, regret, strength, grief, clarity, confusion, guilt, and freedom, in making a decision they all share.