### Sally Field Recounts Traumatic Abortion Experience, Urges Support for Kamala Harris

Renowned Oscar-winning actress Sally Field has opened up about a deeply traumatic experience she endured as a teenager, making an emotional plea for voters to support Kamala Harris in the coming US presidential election. In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Field relived the horrors of the illegal abortion she underwent at 17 in 1964, describing it as both "hideous" and "traumatic."

Field initially revealed her ordeal in her 2018 memoir "In Pieces," but shared her reluctance to speak publicly about it, stating, "I had been so hesitant to do this, to tell my horrific story." During this period, contraception was scarcely available and mostly limited to married couples, making the situation even more dire for young women like her. "I feel stronger when I think of the many women of my generation who went through similar traumatic events," she wrote, emphasizing the urgency of fighting for reproductive rights for future generations.

Reflecting on her experience, Field expressed the lingering shame she feels due to societal norms of the 1950s. She was just a teenager when she had no support and "no choices in my life," eventually depending on a family friend who was a doctor to drive her and her mother to Tijuana, Mexico for the procedure. The doctor’s wife accompanied them on the trip, further underscoring the clandestine and dire nature of the situation.

The actress vividly recounted the terrifying moments of the procedure, which was done without anesthetics and under appalling conditions. "There was a technician giving me a few puffs of ether, but it didn't help much. I felt everything, and the pain was immense," Field said. The situation took a darker turn when she realized that the technician was molesting her during the procedure, adding another layer of trauma to an already horrifying experience.

Field expressed gratitude for the doctor who took a considerable risk to help her, describing his actions as "generous and brave." Despite the harrowing ordeal, she soon began auditioning and landed her breakthrough role in *Gidget* only a few months after the illegal abortion.

In drawing parallels to the present day, Field noted, "These are the things that women are going through now - when they're trying to get to another state, they don't have the money, they don't have the means, they don't know where they're going." She condemned the lack of respect and regard for women's health and autonomy, stressing the importance of reproductive rights.

Field concluded her statement by urging voters to support Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, or any candidates and ballot initiatives that protect reproductive freedom. Her heartfelt message ends with an impassioned plea: "PLEASE. WE CAN'T GO BACK!!"

Previously, Field had shown her support for Harris when Joe Biden stepped down, expressing her gratitude to Biden and her full endorsement for Harris. Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans support access to abortion, yet many Republican-led state legislatures continue to push for restrictions, often citing conservative religious beliefs.

The overturning of Roe v Wade has heightened concerns about the future of women's reproductive rights, particularly under a potential second term of Donald Trump's presidency. Interestingly, Melania Trump has expressed her strong support for women's right to abortion in her new memoir, underscoring the need for women to have autonomy over their reproductive choices without governmental interference.