At a May rally, New York State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James made a split-second decision to share a secret with the crowd: She’d had an abortion. The draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade had leaked the day before, and James was there to let the world know that her state would be a safe haven for abortion access. When she took the stage and saw all the young faces in the crowd, she knew it was the right time to speak her truth.
In 2018, James became the first African American woman to be elected New York’s attorney general. Prior to that, she was the New York City public advocate — and the first woman of color to hold citywide office — and before that, had served as a member of the city council from 2004 to 2013. She’s no stranger to pursuing matters she believes are just, whether suing former president Donald Trump and members of his family for alleged financial fraud or fighting tirelessly against alleged illegal conduct by the National Rifle Association, and her advocacy for reproductive rights is no different.
In this conversation with Teen Vogue, the trailblazing public servant gives her first in-depth media interview about her experience seeking an abortion. James also discusses what the future of reproductive care looks like in her state and the country, and why it’s so important to say the word “abortion.”
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Teen Vogue: The midterms are coming up in a few weeks. By all accounts, there are going to be many close races. What role do you think the overturning of Roe and the desire to protect abortion access is going to play in how people vote?
Tish James: We are seeing more and more young people, young individuals, as well as women register to vote, and I think, obviously, they're going to be voting on one single issue and that is reproductive rights. I think it's an issue that has galvanized particularly women in the suburbs, and young people all across this nation who care about fundamental freedom and the rights and reproductive rights of all individuals.
I think that Democrats were concerned in the past about losing both houses in Congress and other close races, and now our fortunes have changed somewhat.
TV: Absolutely. In many states, attorneys general have taken center stage since Roe was overturned, with AG's in states like Ohio, Indiana, and Texas becoming involved in denying abortion access. What is it like for you to see your peers use their power in that way?
TJ: The attorneys general, as you know, have defended democracy in the past, and have continued to stand up to those forces that seek to turn back the clock of progress. We will continue to defend the rights of women and other vulnerable and marginalized populations. We've done it before, we'll continue to do it — which is why attorney general races are so critically important, particularly in light of the fact that we may have a divided federal government.
It'll be up to the states, and that's why we need to elect more Democratic attorneys general. So I urge all of your readers to pay special attention to the reelection of Dana Nessel in Michigan, Josh Kaul in Wisconsin, Aaron Ford in Nevada, and Keith Ellison in Minnesota. And I would hope that we could change Georgia from red to blue — or, I should say, light red to light blue — by electing Jen Jordan there, and then also Rochelle Garza in Texas. I hope that we will elect the first African American woman attorney general in Massachusetts by voting for Andrea Campbell.
TV: In May, after the Supreme Court memo was leaked, you announced New York's Reproductive Equity and Freedom Fund. I believe that's currently working its way through the state legislature. Do you feel confident that it will pass?
TJ: There’s a fund that has already been set up by the governor of the state of New York, so we're already moving forward. I would hope that that legislation you just referenced will pass in the state legislature, but we already have a fund that has been established by Governor Hochul.
TV: Do you have any data about how people have been using that, and if that fund has been helping people seeking abortions so far?
TJ: I don't have the data, but I do know, based on conversations with a number of my colleagues, that we're seeing more and more women from Ohio and Pennsylvania [come to New York seeking care]. The legislation with Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, who established the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program, would provide funding for abortion providers and not-for-profit organizations to help increase access to care; the bill is currently in committee in the Senate and Assembly.
TV: Back in May, when the memo was leaked, there was this big rally in New York, and I was in attendance when you shared publicly for the first time that you had an abortion when you were first elected to the city council. Could you tell me a bit about your experience?
TJ: Listen, I had an abortion. It was a personal decision between me, my doctor, my God, and no one else. It was at the time when I was a member of the New York City Council, beginning my career as a public official with a lot of demands on my schedule. As a single woman, it was best for me. I do not believe that this should be a decision that anyone else should make [for others]. And I did not make it lightly.
I just know that any ban on abortion will not ban abortions, but will ban safe abortions. And I know that any ban on abortions will greatly impact low-income women and people of color. I can recall the days when young girls would come into my city council office. Girls that came from intact families, and sometimes girls that came from dysfunctional families. Girls who had never seen an OB-GYN doctor, and girls that needed a nonjudgmental and sympathetic ear, and someone who would basically care for them in this system. That's exactly what I did.
I had an abortion. Some of these girls had an abortion. And that will continue here in the state of New York, where abortions are safe and legal. Hopefully, the United States Congress will basically move forward and repeal any attacks on reproductive freedom in this country.
TV: There have been many big developments in abortion policy and laws over the years. What about this moment made it feel like the right time for you to share your story?
TJ: It was because I looked across the audience and saw so many young girls. Sometimes you've got to lead by example. And sometimes you’ve got to share your story and not be afraid to say the word "abortion."
TV: Had you planned on sharing before you started speaking?
TJ: No, no. By no means. It was just something that came upon my heart. I think we have to stop shaming women and be open about having an abortion. It's this shaming element, the shaming factor, which has caused a lot of women to seek advice from unsavory actors.
And individuals need to know that the doors of elected officials, but specifically the door of AG James, is always open. I will always have a sympathetic ear.
TV: You said you “walked proudly into Planned Parenthood,” and the word "proudly" really jumped out at me. Did you use it because it was important for people to understand that you should be able to be proud of your abortion?
TJ: I was proud of my decision — proud that I made that decision. I was proud of the fact that I did not have to run to another state to have an abortion. I was proud of the fact that I had full autonomy over my body. And I was proud of the fact that the individuals in my inner circle did not judge me.
TV: You've joined a growing number of elected officials who've publicly discussed their abortions, including representatives Cori Bush, Barbara Lee, and Jackie Speier. Rep. Bush said that her abortion changed her life because it "gave me space to be able to take care of Cori first." How would you say your abortion has changed your life?
TJ: That abortion allowed me to care for the constituents that I served, and that abortion allowed me to reach my full potential.
TV: One last question for you. There’s been a lot of bleak news surrounding abortion access, gun violence, etc. What makes you feel hopeful in this moment?
TJ: When I walk into a room with young people, I'm hopeful. This weekend I was on Long Island, and it was young Democrats who were going out canvassing in the rain. Whenever I speak to young people, I'm filled with hope because I know that every movement in this country was not started by an elected official, but with the power, the tenacity, and the strength and commitment of young people. That's what gives me hope. The power lies in their hands, and I look forward to seeing them put it in action in November.
Individuals nationwide who seek legal guidance and resources on abortion can call the AG’s hotline at 212-899-5567 or visit https://ag.ny.gov/reproductivehealth for additional information.
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