Monica Migliorino Miller Ph.D. - Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Abortion Wars

Copyright 2012 Monica Migliorino Miller.

All rights reserved. With the exception of short excerpts used in articles and critical review, no part of this work may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in any form whatsoever, printed or electronic, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by Chris Pelicano

Cataloging-in-Publication data on file with the Library of Congress .

ISBN: 978-1-61890-394-5

Published in the United States by

Saint Benedict Press, LLC

PO Box 410487

Charlotte, NC 28241

www.saintbenedictpress.com

Printed and bound in the United States of America .

PRAISE FOR ABANDONED

Quite simply, this is the best book ever written on abortion. Beautifully written, this is about the consequences of Roe v. Wade , as seen through the eyes of one woman, who tells a clear and compelling story with passion but without fanaticism. On a subject that is often heavy and depressing, this is a hard-hitting yet compassionate and moving book. Honestly, I wouldnt have thought such a narrative could be done, only now it has been done.

Dinesh DSouza, best-selling author of Ill-liberal Education, Whats So Great About America, Whats So Great About Christianity, and The Enemy at Home.

Abandoned is a kind of shocking immersion into the depths of the American battle over abortion. Here is preserved up close and in detail an important historical moment that reveals at once the commitment, the fears, the frustration and the hope of those who oppose abortion and the darkest truth about the practice of abortion itself. This book is unprecedented, provocative and will leave its mark on all who read it.

Jill Stanek, nurse, columnist, blogger, and winner of the 2009 Life Prizes Award.

As a pro-life activist leader who has fought for decades in the battle for the unborn I can honestly say that Millers book is one of the most important ever written on the subject of abortion. It is a masterpiece of passion and unique insight. There are few books that can change a persons life-but this is one of them. Its compelling historical narrative takes you places you have never been, makes you see things you have never seen. As no other book has done, Millers true story lays bear whats at stake in the war over abortion.

Joe Scheidler, National Director of The Pro-Life Action League

Abandoned grabs you from the very first paragraph and takes you not only deep into the history of the pro-life movement but deep into the harsh, brutal realities of the abortion industry. Its a must read for anyone interested in a subject that remains the hot button issue of our times. You will not be able to put this book down but you will definitely need to pass it on to as many people as possible.

Teresa Tomeo, Syndicated Catholic Talk Show Host and best-selling Catholic Author

I am involved in every aspect of the pro-life movement on the national level, and it is very clear to me that one of the key educational needs is precisely to help people, starting within the movement, and reaching outside that movement, to understand the history of pro-life work especially in the area of activism. This book is a unique literary contributionrevealing like no other book, what those opposed to abortion did for life.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life

Raw. Gritty. Real. Abandoned is to abortion what Uncle Toms Cabin was to slavery and Night was to the Nazi Holocaust.

Jack Ames, Founder and Director of Defend Life

Shocking discoveries. Daring rescues. Inspiring stories. Millers compelling book has it all. Abandoned chronicles the experiences of one courageous activist who has dedicated her life to protecting innocent children and their mothers. This must-read story provides a deep understanding of the blessings and challenges faced while speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves and serves as a rallying cry to a new generation of activists. At this pivotal moment in history Monicas testimony will motivate you-and countless others-to be part of the solution to the abortion crisis.

David Bereit, National Director of Forty Days for Life

A completely compelling story told with a beautiful narrative voice. The reader is treated to an underground of activists that the public rarely sees or hears. The personal tone of the narrative, the vividness of the illustrations, the avoidance of clich and sloganeering, the empathy for women seeking abortion make this a report that should get wide readership and generate new light on an old familiar issue.

Al Kresta, President and CEO, Ave Maria Radio; host of Kresta in the Afternoon

For Joe who helped set me on the pathand for Edmund who came with me.

Creon has ordered

That none shall bury him or mourn for him;

He must be left to lie unwept, unburied

For hungry birds of prey to swoop and feast

On his poor body.

No one shall say I failed him! I will bury

My brotherand yours too, if you will not.

Antigone , by Sophocles

AUTHORS NOTE

E VERYTHING written about in this narrative actually took place. From the years 1979 through 1982 the author kept a diary of her pro-life activity and some conversations in the book are reconstructed from those diary entries, otherwise the author has relied on her memory or the memory of others who have first-hand knowledge of the episodes recounted in this book. In addition, many incidents are historically supported from newspaper articles, official court transcripts or legal documents.

Only one person who appears in this book has asked for anonymity and out of respect for that wish the author has used a pseudonym. The author also took the liberty of not using the true names of the owners of Pet Haven cemeterynor the true name of the cemeteryto spare these persons any further public scandal that involved their business.

Other than these few changes, the author has tried to be as historically faithful as possible to the conversations and episodes as they occurred.

PROLOGUE

THE STORY I HAVE TO TELL

W HEN I was nine years old I made a peace treaty with the animals. I wrote it out on a sheet of wide-ruled notebook paperthe kind of paper used by a grade school student. Attempting to make the lettering as fancy as I could manage and using a ball point pen rather than a pencil, I intended the treaty to be permanent. The treaty was a perpetual commitment that I would never harm an animal as long as I lived. After writing out my pledge, I punctured my finger with a pin and signed the treaty in blood, thinking treaties were signed that way. I rolled it up as if it were composed on the finest parchment and tied a piece of red ribbon around the scroll. I even crumbled the paper slightly to make it look old as most important documents seemed worn in appearance. I placed the sacred document in a cigar box where most of my precious possessions were secretly stowed. Eight months later I lifted the lid of the box, rolled open the scroll and wrote:

I Monica do hereby and on this 10th day of July in the year 1962 re-ratify this treaty for the reason that I killed an animal.

Kind of animal: Snail

Reason: Reproduction

I do from this day forward promise never to harm another animal.