This coming January 2003, as our nation recognizes 30 years of legalized abortion, something will take place that has never been done before.

Women throughout this country who have had abortions will gather at state capitols and in our nation's capitol to publicly speak out about their abortion experience. This mobilization of women will be the beginning of a national campaign to raise awareness about the negative after-effects of abortion and speak the truth about abortion's emotional, spiritual and physical consequences for women.

The campaign is entitled: "Silent NO More ­ Women Speak out about their abortion" and it will bring together women who regret their abortion with some of them actually sharing their stories of pain and healing through testimonies. Others will hold signs that read "I Regret My Abortion."

"We are the voice that hasn't been heard," says Georgette Forney, Executive Director of NOEL, and one of the co-founders of Silent No More who had an abortion at age 16. "There is a lot of talk about whether or not abortion should be legal, but very little attention is given to the women who have actually had abortions. I regret having an abortion and I know that there are millions of women who feel the same way. After 30 years it's time to listen to us, the women who have experienced it."

The campaign will also seek to reach-out to the many women who are suffering in silence from their abortion. Many are reluctant to talk about their pain because they chose abortion to hide a pregnancy. Others are fearful that they will be condemned or that their feelings will be dismissed. Still others are convinced that they are the only ones who feel this type of regret and grief.

Susan Renne Mosley, Director of Women's Outreach for the Justice Foundation and one of the co-founders of Silent No More who had an abortion at age 15 said, "It's time to speak honestly about the pain we've lived with and we want to help other women who are hurting from their abortion experience find peace. This campaign will let them know they are not alone, we know the pain they feel and we have found help and healing and they can too. We want them to know about the variety of programs, books and resource available to help them. And they need to hear they don't have to live their life in pain, there is hope."

Silent No More events will be held in over 35 state capitols at various times during the week of January 18 ­26, 2003, and in Washington, D.C., women will gather on January 22, 2003 after the March for Life near the U.S. Supreme Court Building to publicly testify about their painful abortion experiences.

The campaign is being sponsored by NOEL (the National Organization of Episcopalians for Life), the Justice Foundation and Priests for Life. In addition, the partnership has also developed an ad hoc coalition of abortion recovery programs to provide the support and healing for women who come forward when they learn help is available. Members of the coalition include; Care-Net Pregnancy Centers, Heartbeat International, Ramah International, Rachel's Vineyard, Project Rachel, NOPARH (National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing) Hope Alive USA, Linda Perry, The Elliott Institute and many others.

If you regret your abortion decision and would like to participate in the "Silent No More" campaign, please register to join us. You can go to www.HelpAfterAbortion.com or call 800-707-NOEL to have information sent to you. Let us know if you are interested in participating in the gathering in Washington DC, or the one in your state. Oregon participants with Silent No More will gather at the state capitol in Salem on Sunday, January 19th. For more information on Oregon's gathering, please call Oregon Right to Life, 503-463-8563.

If you've had an abortion and want to talk with someone who understands how you are feeling call 800-395-HELP for help or go to: www.pregnancycenters.org.