In a powerful response to the restrictions on abortion in Tennessee, Allie Phillips, a native of the state, has decided to run for state office after being forced to travel out-of-state for a life-saving abortion. Her experience highlights the ongoing battle for women's reproductive rights and the impact it has on individuals.

Phillips, a 28-year-old Tennessee resident, never imagined that she would be running for elected office, let alone having to leave her home state to have an abortion. She shared her story with CBS News, revealing her desire to be a mother and the devastating news she received during her pregnancy.

After her 20-week ultrasound, Phillips discovered that her baby had a rare brain defect called semilobar holoprosencephaly, a condition which often results in miscarriage or stillbirth. Facing an impossible decision, she had to choose between the health risks to her life and continuing the pregnancy.

Unfortunately, due to Tennessee's statewide abortion ban implemented following the Supreme Court's ruling on Roe v. Wade, Phillips was unable to access the necessary healthcare within her home state. Forced to travel to New York, she incurred a significant financial burden, costing $5,000 for the procedure. To gather the required funds, she turned to her social media following and set up a GoFundMe account, which received immense support.

Following her abortion, Phillips decided to take a stand for women's reproductive rights. She began advocating for Miley's Law, which would restore choice to parents when diagnosed with fetal abnormalities. Despite facing hurdles among Tennessee politicians, her social media presence and viral TikTok videos garnered widespread attention, with tens of thousands of viewers and followers.

Motivated by her own experience and the stories of others, Phillips joined the Center for Reproductive Rights as one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging abortion bans in Idaho, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. This involvement compelled her to think beyond her individual struggle and inspired her to bring about change on a larger scale.

Phillips emphasized that politicians should not decide on complex issues like abortion, especially when they lack the necessary educational background in women's reproductive health. She criticized the recent six-week abortion ban signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, stating that it disregards the complexities and timing of crucial medical diagnostics during pregnancy.

As part of her campaign, Phillips aims to prioritize women's rights, along with other vital issues such as childcare access, Medicare expansion, and improvements in the public school system, particularly for children with disabilities. Running as a Democrat in Tennessee's 75th District, where the incumbent delegate is unopposed, she hopes to inspire other women to follow suit and take part in the political arena.

Phillips's story is a poignant reminder of the continued significance and urgency of the fight for women's reproductive rights. Her determination to make a difference highlights the importance of individual experiences shaping political action and the power of grassroot advocacy. As election cycles progress, it is likely that women's rights will remain a prominent issue on the ballot across multiple states, as demonstrated by the impact of Ohio and Virginia's recent election results.