Medical Care Behind Bars

In 1984, Wanda Boswell was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. During booking, the jailer learned that Boswell was 6 ½ months pregnant, and having a difficult pregnancy. Boswell began bleeding and notified jailers, who locked her in a cell without calling a doctor. The bleeding worsened and she requested a doctor. She was left locked in the jail cell overnight. In the morning, Boswell was cramped, bleeding, and in pain, and again requested a doctor. The jailer refused and told Boswell she would be released when she posted bail. Boswell was allowed to call her mother-in-law who told the jailer that even if she was able to raise the money to for bail, it would take quite some time to travel to the jail. The jailer continued to insist that she needed "$ 150 to let Boswell out." When a local police officer (and emergency medical technician) stopped by the jail before his shift, he heard Boswell’s cries. While looking in on Boswell, he noticed the bleeding and demanded an ambulance which transferred Boswell to a hospital. Her baby, Joseph Boswell, was born at the hospital, where he died thirty-four minutes later. (Boswell v. County of Sherburne, 849 F.2d 1117. (8^th Cir., 1988)).

Planned Parenthood and Me

I have been exceedingly lucky in my life to have been raised by strong women who believe in the power of being a strong woman. While they each had their own strengths, they truly believed in the autonomy of self and the freedom to make one's own choices. My home was always sex positive and open, and I am thankful for that.

However, no matter how sure I felt about my own body, sexuality, and self, there was something missing. The lack of proper health education, particularly sex education, in my upbringing, combined with the absense of self-esteem (all too normal, in this day and age, for adolescents) led me into an abusive relationship with an older man at the age of sixteen. After that relationship ended, swearing I wouldn't tell anyone, I carried that burden around with me for years, always questioning why I wasn't "good enough" or "smart enough" to have gotten out of that. In my senior year of high school, Planned Parenthood's "Peer Education" program began to disseminate the information invaluable to a growing teen, and helped me cope with my past.

My Planned Parenthood Experience

I only understood the true significance of my body and my rights to it after I left a long-term abusive relationship. The healing process turned me toward literature and advocacy that respected each individual's rights to her/his own body. When it came time to apply for internships that actually considered my interests in respecting these issues, Planned Parenthood seemed the perfect choice.

I was completely off base when I imagined the type of work I would be doing as a campaign organizer. Yes, I phone bank, canvass, and fill out data forms, but I also get to table for events and listen to individuals' issues. I am actually working with like-minded people on advocacy issues that are meaningful to everyone involved. People do not work at Planned Parenthood merely to receive a paycheck. The positive energy in the office creates a safe space for conversation and motivates me to get up every morning for work.