In a heartfelt Instagram post on October 6, Sally Field opened up about a traumatic and illegal abortion she experienced in 1964, a time that predates her rise to fame as an actress known for her roles in Mrs. Doubtfire and Forrest Gump. In her emotional video, she highlighted the critical importance of the forthcoming U.S. elections in safeguarding reproductive rights.
Previously sharing this painful chapter in her life in her 2018 memoir, In Pieces, Field expressed that her intention now is to motivate the electorate to support Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency.
Apart from her advocacy efforts, Sally Field is also a devoted mother to her three sons: Peter, Eli, and Sam. She shares her eldest two sons, Peter and Eli, with her first spouse, Steven Craig, and welcomed her youngest son, Sam, with her second husband, Alan Greisman. Field has consistently celebrated her sons and their achievements, famously declaring during the 2012 Human Rights Campaign annual dinner:
“The three things I am most proud of in my life are Peter, Eli and Sam. My sons.”
Peter, her firstborn, entered the world on November 10, 1969, and has since become a notable author and screenwriter, including co-writing the blockbuster success Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. Eli, born in 1972, followed a creative path as a writer and director, contributing to films like Tucker & Dale vs Evil.
Her youngest son, Sam, born in 1987, shares a strong bond with Field and actively advocates for LGBTQ+ rights alongside her.
Sally Field reflects on the “hideous”and “traumatic”abortion she endured in 1964
In her candid Instagram message, Sally Field described her illegal abortion in 1964 as “hideous”and “traumatic.”At just 17 years old, Field had the procedure performed in Tijuana, Mexico, well before abortion was legalized in the United States. Her family doctor drove her there and instructed her to enter a building with an envelope filled with cash to cover the costs. Recalling her experience, she said:
“We parked on a really scroungy-looking street… it was scary and he parked about three blocks away and said, ‘See that building down there?’ And he gave me an envelope with cash and I was to walk into that building and give them the cash and then come right back to him.”
The Oscar-winning actress termed the experience as “beyond hideous and life-altering.”She underwent the procedure without anesthesia, only receiving a few sporadic puffs of ether. Tragically, she also experienced molestation by the technician during the procedure, compounding her trauma.
“So it was just this absolute pit of shame,”Field revealed. “And then, when it was finished, they said, ‘Go go go go go!’, like the building was on fire,”she recounted.
Despite the pain, Field emphasized that the abortion was a vital necessity for her.
“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 underscored, stressing the pressing need for access to reproductive healthcare.
In her recent public statements, Sally Field has rallied support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the upcoming U.S. elections. She admitted that sharing her story is challenging, given its sensitive nature, but felt compelled due to the current political climate.
“It was during a time even worse than now… but I feel that so many women of my generation went through similar, traumatic events,”she expressed. “It’s one of the reasons why so many of us are supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
The actress urged her followers to recognize the importance of the upcoming election, particularly regarding ballot measures that could advance reproductive rights.
“Everyone, please, pay attention to this election, up and down the ballot, in every state — especially those with ballot initiatives that could protect reproductive freedom. PLEASE. WE CAN’T GO BACK!!”she implored.
Since the launch of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign in August, following Joe Biden’s decision to step aside, Sally Field has expressed her unwavering support for Harris. In an interview with Variety, she conveyed her appreciation for Biden’s contributions while wholeheartedly endorsing Harris, stating:
“As a working woman, a mother and grandmother to a very diverse group, I support the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris with my whole 77-year-old heart.”
Field’s commitment to activism is fueled by her past experiences and her dedication to protect the rights of future generations. Her backing of Harris and Walz exemplifies her strong belief in the significance of reproductive freedom and her determination to ensure that others do not endure similar hardships.
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