Those who first fought for equal rights for women, the first feminists, recognized abortion as the exploitation of women by men. Here is what some of the first leaders of the feminist movement had to say about abortion: Susan B. Anthony: "Guilty? Yes, no matter what the motive, love of ease, or a desire to save from suffering the unborn innocent, the woman is awfully guilty who commits the deed. It will burden her conscience in life, it will burden her soul in death; but oh! Thrice guilty is he who, for selfish gratification, heedless of her prayers, indifferent to her fate, drove her to the desperation which impels her to the crime." Mattie Brinkerhoff: "When a man steals to satisfy hunger, we may safely conclude that there is something wrong in society - so when a woman destroys the life of her unborn child, it is an evidence that either by education or circumstances she has been greatly wronged." Elizabeth Cady Stanton: "When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit." Why were these women opposed to abortion? Because they knew that abortion hurts women. |