Culture Anne Summers: ‘It Was Going To Be A Challenge To Get Myself An Abortion In New York City’ In Anne Summers' memoir, Unfettered and Alive, the political activist, journalist and policy maker reflects on having two abortions and deciding motherhood was not for her. By Anne Summers Culture In Anne Summers' memoir, Unfettered and Alive, the political activist, journalist and policy maker reflects on having two abortions and deciding motherhood was not for her. By Anne Summers Previous article Why Facebook Is Done Next article Packing Light: How To Travel Sustainably My reverie with New York lasted for less than two months. To my horror I discovered that, once again, I was pregnant. It was, I realised, the result of a one night stand with a visiting Australian with whom I would never dally again, and whom I could never tell. I knew I had no choice about what to do, although it was going to be a challenge to get myself an abortion in New York City—and probably very expensive—but the hormones had already started to kick in, and I found myself emotionally connecting to what was happening inside me. But, I told myself, there was no way I could have a baby. It might just have been possible the last time I’d been pregnant, in 1979 when I was working in the Press Gallery. Life in Canberra was a lot simpler and support services were on hand, but I’d rejected that choice. I had put myself and my new job first. Had I chosen differently then, today I’d be the single mother of a six year old, and no way would I have this job in New York. Now I was 41 and this was probably my last chance, so I had to think very hard about whether I wanted this child. I’ve never been very clucky or defined myself solely, or even at all, by my ability to bear a child, so I could be a lot more dispassionate than would have been possible for some women. This is an extract from Anne Summer’s latest book, Unfettered And Alive: A Memoir. Join Summers in conversation with Future Women Managing Director Helen McCabe on November 14 in Sydney. Book here. annesummersbookextractreproductiverights Best Of Future Women Culture “Never an excuse”: Why Katrina still can’t stand the smell of bourbon By Sally Spicer Diamond Meet the leaders: Erin Vincent By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Malini Raj By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Azmeena Hussain By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Shannan Dodson By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Elly Desmarchelier By Odessa Blain Equity A sneak peek inside the sold-out budget event By Odessa Blain Culture Janine never thought divorce would mean losing her family and friends By Sally Spicer Your inbox just got smarter If you’re not a member, sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Future Women in your inbox.