December Featured Activist: Alberta Espie

In Her Own Words...

I volunteer at Planned Parenthood because the organization is important to me.  I came of age in the 1950's and remember the anguish and desperation of a married friend who twice had illegal abortions that were badly needed. Later in the 1980's, I became newly aware of Planned Parenthood when I met young women (friends of my children) with no health insurance who used Planned Parenthood as their major provider!  Gynecology was the only health care they could afford. Heaven help them if they had other health care needs.

Upon retirement I asked Planned Parenthood if I could volunteer in the clinic.  I had to ask several times, because the Jacksonville clinic did not use volunteers.  I finally convinced them that I could play a role.  That turned out to be as a counselor or "patient educator" at the weekly abortion clinic.  The staff does most of the counseling, but having an additional person relieves them a bit.  I enjoy coming in to work and greeting the crowd as I walk through the waiting room, and then greeting the staff members who in four years have become friends.  I like to dress up a bit, the staff in scrubs seem to like that.  I also want to honor our clients.

What do I get from my work at the clinic?  Meeting all the women and getting to know each one just a bit.  The first question I ask is if this is their decision to do what they are doing today.  I have never had any response other than yes.  Other than making sure of that, my job is to explain what will happen during the time they are here, and to answer questions they have.  When I cannot answer something, I check with one of the nurses or administrators. When someone leaves an interview a bit more relaxed that is an achievement.  But what is best about the work is being part of the process of giving women choice.

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