Today is the 36th anniversary of the constitutional decision that marked a woman’s right to abortion.

Today, I celebrate my freedom over my own body, heart and mind and the notion that women are not chattel and are not simple-minded creatures, solely put on the planet to reproduce.

I give my thanks to the countless women and men who have fought to not only establish this freedom, but who continue to fight against those who seek to keep us in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant.

As we enter into a new political era, may the progress for true equality of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation move more swiftly, and may the antiquated notions of the past be mere blips on the radar to true freedom for all.