When the third edition and eighth final printing of my book, “The Complete Single Mother” came out in 2005, I thought I had achieved what I set out to do: help the country’s 15 million single mothers, by choice or by chance, to face single motherhood. with wisdom, spirit, dignity, confidence and courage! Contrary to what was said when I started the National Organization of Single Mothers, when Vice President Dan Quayle pointed out that being a single mother mocks fatherhood and causes horrible social problems, Many experts who came on board — lawyers, social scientists, child health professionals, researchers, professors of women’s studies and this single mother — strongly disagreed. We showed single motherhood as a growing family unit and published facts that debunk the myths propagated by conservative politicians
Fast forward 30 years to the recently renewed war on women that has resulted in a new category in many states: forced motherhood!
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I never thought Roe v Wade would be canceled, and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ would be less fictional when a SCOTUS judge said it was good to increase “our national infant supply”. Worse, it is terrifying to know what violence those who aspire to reproductive freedom could face!
I spoke with Keshia Sandidge, NC 34 Senate candidate and current Cabarrus County school board member, about her views on women’s rights, particularly after learning that a member of the General Assembly of North Carolina had submitted a bill to criminalize abortion in our state.
Here are his answers to my questions.
AE: First, why are you running for Senate 34 and what qualifies you?
KS: As a Registered Clinical Social Worker, my oath binds me to protect and advocate for ALL life, including the born and unborn, and is reminiscent of the commitment every elected official should make to their constituency. :
“My commitment and opinions are shaped by core and professional values. Accordingly, I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity and social justice; I will practice my profession responsibly with a conscientious , integrity and dignity consistent with its values, ethical principles and ethical standards; The well-being of my client will be my first consideration; I will respect the secrets entrusted to me, even after the end of my professional relationship with my client; I will maintain by all means in my power, the honor and traditions of the profession of social worker; My colleagues are my brothers and sisters; I will not allow considerations of sex, age, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual affiliation, physical ability, mental capacity, political philosophy or socio-economic status come between my duty and my client; I will feel sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and will strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty and other forms of social injustice; I will maintain the utmost respect for the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, even when there is a threat to myself; I make these promises solemnly, freely and on my honor.
AE: You said you’re pro-life, but you advocate for women’s reproductive rights. What does pro-life mean to you?
KS: To be a pro-life advocate means to defend the integrity of ALL lives; it means protecting life from poverty, abuse, injustice and socio-economic factors, which unfairly disadvantage the ability to provide general care and the well-being of the person. Pro-life, to me, also means protecting children from harm when they are in school.
AE: What about those who argue that God is against choosing abortion?
KS: In faith, a woman’s right to choose is grounded in the ministry of Christ. The theology of forgiveness is between the individual, the medical provider and their faith. Although I am bound by faith and profession to preserve life, I am acutely aware that not everyone shares my faith and/or my values. I firmly believe that a woman’s right to choose is firmly rooted in her inalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
AE: Yet your opponent also claims to be guided by his Christian faith and claims to be pro-life.a
KS: He is pro-life in the sense that he is either pro-birth or anti-choice according to his website and but he does not discuss these views with the public. It’s NRA approved, and while I support our Second Amendment, gun safety laws are part of my pro-life being, too!
I will always be transparent with people.
AE: What can you say to the county of Cabarrus, especially to women, when they ask you why vote for you?
KS: I will ALWAYS protect and defend the rights of women
My position will always be to protect, provide and defend survivability. When a woman’s health is threatened, she should have all the resources to make an informed decision about her health and the well-being of her child. Once her decision is made, we as a society MUST ensure the viability and survivability of the mother and her child.
I believe in limited government involvement in women’s right to choose. I think the government has a limited role to play in ensuring the health, well-being and care of the mother and child after childbirth.
Andrea Engber is the author of “The Complete Single Mother” (Simon & Schuster) and a former syndicated columnist.
