The Power of Storytelling
How to Effectively Develop and Share Your Story
By Elizabeth Kuhlmann, Communications and Organizing Coordinator
Everyone has a personal story surrounding Sexual Reproductive Health and their connection to the pro-choice movement. Some people have personal stories about abortion, abortion access, or how abortion may have saved their life. Whatever your personal story may be, it is your most powerful tool as an activist.
Step One: Uncover Your Story
After Roe fell last year, I, like many others, felt an intense call to action. The first question I was asked when I joined Pro-Choice Minnesota a few weeks later was “Why are you pro-choice?” I had been asked this many times before, yet, I remember having trouble putting into words all of the reasons I am so fiercely pro-choice and pro-abortion. It was the first time I had been asked this since recently becoming a mother. I had attended organizing workshops and developed my personal story before, but I hadn’t put my personal experience and change of perspective into words since having a daughter.
A few weeks later, I asked the same question to the folks at the Southeast MN RFAN meeting. I was shocked that every person in the room had a unique and deeply personal response as to why they are pro-choice; for example, “because an abortion saved my life”, “because I am a nurse”, and “because I am a mother”. After connecting with my pro-choice community, I was able to identify my roots in this movement.
When uncovering your story, ask yourself, “why am I pro-choice?” The answer may be crystal clear, or broader. You may be thinking of a specific event in your life, or your story may have been developed over time. You may not feel comfortable sharing your story, and that’s okay. The process of uncovering your story may take some time, as our stories are always developing. This is a great time to reach out to your pro-choice community, and read and connect with other people’s stories. The goal is to be able to pinpoint your reason for being pro-choice in one sentence and then elaborate.
Nothing in my life has solidified my stance more on being a fierce abortion advocate than becoming a mother.
Step Two: Your Story in Action
Your personal story is your most powerful tool as an activist. You can use your story to connect with and educate your community, evoke emotion and spark urgency, and even persuade lawmakers. Your story can easily be tailored to use as a tool in a variety of circumstances when using this formula: mission, problem, solution.
Establish your mission: Abortion should be protected and accessible for everyone, regardless of circumstance.
Name the problem: An unwanted pregnancy would risk my life.
Call to action/ what is the solution: We must get out the vote for pro-choice candidates this November; our lives depend on it.
When the mission, problem, and solution formula is used alongside your personal story, you can provide real-world context to the problems we are facing, uphold Pro-Choice Minnesota’s mission of taking politics out of bodily autonomy, and focus on the real people this movement affects. Your story can help gain supporters and persuade supporters to take action. Remember, your story is not transactional. Your experiences and perspective are important, and when shared effectively, incredibly impactful in our movement.