Dear Governor Kay Ivey,

 

Did you think in all of your 74 years of living you’d be referred to as a misogynist?

 

Misogyny (/mɪˈsɒdʒɪni/) is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. Misogyny manifests in numerous ways, including social exclusion, sex discrimination, hostility, androcentrism, patriarchy, male privilege, belittling of women, disenfranchisement of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification.

 

I had to take my time writing this to you, because I didn’t even know female misogynist existed. — silly me. In my head, I’ve pictured you to be one of those disgruntled picketers outside of planned parenthood calling me a “murderer” during one of my three abortions. — yes, Gov. I had 3 abortions, lock me up. I’m almost amazed by the fact you as a woman felt comfortable signing a bill that was agreed on by 25 men. I’m even more amazed at the fact you are “forcing women” (I hold that term quite loosely because let’s face it Alabama women will still find ways to get abortions if necessary) into having children when you yourself have none. I don’t know your background nor does this letter have anything to do with it, but I do have a couple questions for you,

Are you a childless woman by choice?

If the answer is yes, imagine becoming pregnant and not being ready to raise a child yet being told you had to, or let me take it a step further, imagine being raped (God forbid) and being faced with the decision of having your baby or possibly going to jail, would you be okay?

If the answer to my question above is no. Is this your chance to make women “pay” because you yourself didn’t have a choice or chance to bring life into this world?

 To be frank,

I was angry when I heard what you did. I was stunned, but most of all I was disgusted. I’m pretty sure when I say this, I speak for all women, we are used to fighting for a seat at the table, but when it’s pulled from beneath us by one of our own, now that Gov. Kay Ivey is unacceptable. Obviously, you forgot but let this be a reminder that more than anything you’re a woman first. you were a woman long before a republican, or should I say Democrat? It is true that you were a democrat before you became a republican correct? —- was abortion acceptable back then?

 

I can imagine you must be a very educated woman, especially having made the political strides you have in your career, so explain this to me, would you? How is Alabama ranked one of the top 10 poorest states of the US yet here you are forcing people to have children, children they may not even be able to afford? Should we be on the lookout for a new public assistance bill as well? Shame on you, wanting the world to believe you and your henchmen have enforced this bill out of the goodness of your heart, when in reality it’s going to dig the people who need the most help into an even deeper ditch— is that the plan?

 

Not a day goes by that I don’t consider how different my life may have been if I decided to keep a baby at 18. How would I have afforded him or her? where would we have lived? Would I have been able to continue my education, get a good paying job? And even if the answer to those questions were yes… imagine how many struggles I would have faced along the way Governor. Do you think my irresponsibility would have been worth the long-term hardships?

 

Cited you as stating,

“To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God,” after signing it into law on Wednesday.

 

Gov. Kay Ivey now that I know you are a woman of the lord I will leave you with this gentle reminder, “We May make our plans, but God has the final say”. Proverbs 16:1

I will continue to pray for you, and the Alabama Senate but most of all the women of the world not just in Alabama. If our country is on the verge of being run by more people like you Governor, what a wicked world it’s going to be.

Signed,

A woman who fortunately had a choice.