With deep love and gratitude, I say goodbye

To my dearest We Testify storytellers,

I am writing with love and deep gratitude to let you know about my transition out of We Testify this month. I started sharing my abortion story 15 years ago (alongside quite a few of you!) and then founded We Testify 10 years ago to build community among those of us who’ve had abortions. But it became more than that. So many of us built friendships and communities. We grew into leaders who have shaped a movement to thoughtfully include all of us. We paved a way for everyone who had abortions after us. Together we’ve made history time and time again. 

After a decade at the helm of We Testify, it is time for a new adventure. I loved connecting with so many of you as I wrote LIBERATING ABORTION and the generosity you showed to allow your stories to be part of the fabric we wove to tell a fuller history of abortion centering us. It filled my heart with joy to see tons of you at my book tour stops. Seeing the impact of our stories and their place in the long history of abortion inspired me to want to do more research, thus this fall I will begin a Communications PhD program at American University to study the impact of abortion storytelling on television and film, our communities, and politics. I know that our stories changed the world and I am thrilled to take time to research just how much.

I feel so privileged to have witnessed how your brilliance has changed our movement for the better. Your voices have imprinted on my life and all of those who hear your stories. Knowing you is a gift. Although I will be on a new adventure, I will always be here for you, to listen to your stories and support you as you move into bravery. I am forever grateful.

I’m excited to watch the organization continue to grow and to experience the abortion stories that will emerge as We Testify’s journey continues.

With all of my heart,

Renee