Linn Harwell: Reproductive Rights Activist

Nick Ho
APES E Block
02/04/16
Guest Speaker: Linn Harwell

Linn beginning her talk (Photo Credits: Nick Ho)

Tonight Linn Harwell came to the Stone Chapel and spoke to a group of Proctor students from 6:30 to 7:30. She described herself at a reproductive rights activist, in addition to a women's rights activist. She also called herself a "free associator". Currently Linn is working with Hilary Clinton on her campaign because of policies Clinton supports that are in line with Linn's philosophy. Before even beginning, she explained that she wanted to have a discussion with her audience rather than lecture.

"My mantra: caring is curing; don't hesitate, just help." -Linn Harwell

Linn talks about her previous occupations (Photo Credits: Nick Ho)

One of the first topics she covered was the history of abortions from a legislative standpoint. She talked to us about Charles Lee Buxton and his wife Estelle Griswold. She explained their pivotal role in the progress of abortions becoming accepted from a legal standpoint.  The supreme court case Griswold v Conneticut (1965) allowed for abortions between married couples (in essence, repealing the Comstock laws). Additionally, a birth control center was opened in New Haven, Conneticut. Soon after, even women who were not married were permitted to abort their unborn children.

"You can never tell what your future is going to be; anything can happen." -Linn Harwell

Linn showing the audience a photograph (Photo Credits: Nick Ho)

Linn regularly attends Planned Parenthood conferences around the world; she even spoke at a conference in Bucharest, Romania. She also acted as the lead member of the League of Women's Voters, which she described as one of the most time consuming roles she's played. She recently attended the UNCPD (United Nations Conference on Population and Development) in Cairo, Egypt, which was the last scheduled conference ever.

"Sex is a big part of life. Trust me, I've had a lot of it." -Linn Harwell

Linn's Paternal Grandfather (Photo Credits: Nick Ho, Photograph property of Linn Harwell)

One of the most powerful stories Linn told tonight was of her mother, who died due to a self abortion when Linn was sixteen. During the Irish wake, Linn told us that she never shed a single tear. She said she had no time for tears, and was too stunned by the sudden loss of her mother. Linn told us that the title of the book she intends on writing and publishing is "No Tears". Her father, who was making $18 a week at the time, sent his five then motherless children off to Baltimore to whichever relatives would take them in.

While I enjoyed going and listening to Linn speak, I don't think I learned anything or gained anything by attending the discussion. I expected to hear about forms of contraception and about women's rights, but as I paid attention to Linn speak on an array of topics, I found the talk to be somewhat unorganized and had little to do with what was advertised. Even when I asked a question regarding her personal experience in dealing with the death of a loved one (due in part, of course, to not using a contraceptive), I didn't really get a comprehensive answer. Additionally, I struggled to see how the talk applied to the material we've covered so far in APES. I have a great deal of respect for Linn and what she advocates, especially for a women of her age. I think it's very amendable that she continues to fight for what she believes in, and actively participates in current events surrounding her beliefs. However, I wasn't sure her talk tonight was entirely beneficial, at least in the context of both female contraceptives and what we're learning in APES.