I wrote a letter to the Irish Times back in 1992...
when a referendum to allow abortions, failed. It was a handwritten letter, before I had access to the internet and/or email.
The gist of my letter was that as an Irish-American (2nd generation), I had a tear in my eye, because Ireland was not willing to allow women the freedom to control their bodies. I had this tear because at least in the US we were allowing women that right. I also wrote that the failure of this referendum was due to the control the Catholic Church had in Irish politics.
In 2018, the Irish people are giving women the ultimate right of privacy and control. This referendum also shows the lessening of influence by the Catholic Church.
I now have a tear in my eye, because in the US we are lessening the right of women to privacy and control. Also because there is a heightened influence of religion and religious groups in US politics.
Within 36 years the pendulum has swung forward for Irish women, and backwards for US women.
The letter was published in a Sunday edition. I know this because I received a letter from a man who said my letter was the talk of the town. I wish I had kept copies of these letters.
