My LTE that was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer concerning Issue 1.

[PittBlue]

In 1971, I was a young, married school librarian. I made an appointment with my gynecologist to get a prescription for birth control pills. The first thing he said to me was that he needed my husband’s permission. He finally relented after he realized that I was not going to ask for my husband’s permission . My body, my decision.
A woman could not get a credit card or a mortgage in her name until 1974! Is that what the conservatives want to happen again?
We have every right to make decisions about our own bodies. What gives people the right to make decisions for other people because of their religious beliefs? If you choose not to have an abortion that is your choice and if you choose to have an abortion that is also your choice. Children who have been raped are forced to carry a baby and give birth? That is an abomination.
Please vote yes on Issue 1. This is the United States, not some backward country that conservatives are fighting for. To see these rights taken away is untenable. Don’t even get me started on Book Banning.

[blm]

1. Excellent.

[2naSalit]

2. Well done!

[MLAA]

3. Excellent!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. A first-rate letter! Concise, intelligent and timely! Well done. nt

[PittBlue]

5. Thanks so much!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. Well written LTE

Precise and to the point. Women reading this need too stop and think about what this upcoming vote means for them, their daughters, and grand-daughters.

In 1971 when I was dating my future husband, he had me see his Doctor. I was examined, get blood tests, and got on Birth Control. Wise man then.

[murielm99]

7. This could have been my letter.

I was a school library cataloger, and married. My run-in with a doctor happened a few years earlier than yours. It was 1971. I had been married since 1969. When I went in to renew my prescription, the doctor told me that I had been married long enough to be "adjusted" to my role as a married woman. He did not think it was a good idea to renew my prescription. It was time for me to begin my family. I found a new doctor immediately.

I got credit it my own name through the back door. In 1975, my husband died unexpectedly. I had all the credit cards reissued in my name when they came due. I had trouble with one card only. They wanted to see that I had checking and savings accounts that could cover any balances in case I did not pay. I had a checking account in my own name and a mortgage in my name.

[PittBlue]

8. Women our age have fought for so many things over the years....

We can never give up the fight!