Why Sally Field Shared ‘Hideous’ Moment From Her Past to Advocate for Women’s Rights

Sally Field has always been an ardent activist for women’s equality, and now the Oscar-winning actress is sharing her very personal story to advocate for reproductive freedom. In a video posted on Instagram on October 6, Sally recounts having an illegal abortion pre-Roe v. Wade at age 17. “It was beyond hideous and life-altering,” she says of the procedure, which took place in Tijuana, Mexico.

“I had no anesthetic … I felt everything — how much pain I was in.” Sally, 77, admits she was hesitant to tell her story. “But I feel that so many women of my generation went through similar traumatic events, and I feel stronger when I think of them. I believe, like me, they must want to fight for their grandchildren and all the young women of this country [and protect reproductive freedom].”