Though most students are aware of the controversy over abortion and its physiological effects, the term "unsafe" took on a new meaning Monday night as one woman shared her chilling testimony.
"I felt a sharp pain, but when I moved, the doctor said 'Look what you made me do!'" Arlene Campbell said.
Her testimony at the "I regret my abortion" event was part of a series of events organized by Penn for Life as part of "Respect for Life Week."
Campbell described in detail the procedure that caused a gangrene infection in her uterus and a subsequent removal of her reproductive system.
Many years later, Campbell said she was shocked to discover that the machine doctors had used to perform the abortion was 27 times as powerful as a household vacuum cleaner.
She only recently traced her longtime insomnia, paranoia and eating disorder to the operation she underwent at the age of 22.
"If only I had known some of the information I received today," she said.
"I didn't see the years of depression, pain and shame when the woman told me it'd take 20 minutes to take care of [my] problem."
During her talk, Campbell -- who has spoken on television and in front of several national audiences -- noted that 14.8 million African-American babies have been aborted since 1970.
She attributed this high number to young people not understanding the true consequences of the act.
Campbell added that she did not believe an abortion was right under any circumstance, even if it were safe or the mother was suffering a medical emergency or a victim of rape.
"My womb is not a tomb," she said in summation.
Respect for Life Week's events -- which included a baby goods drive, a speech by the vice president of the nationwide organization Feminists for Life and the creation of a mock cemetery -- were jointly organized by several groups on campus. This included the Penn American Civil Liberties Union, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center and Generation Life.
Penn for Life President Nina Mirarchi was happy with the mix of participants during the week.
"I was very glad to see people from Penn for Choice hearing [Feminists for Life Vice President] Sally Winn giving her opinion as to why true feminism is pro-life," the College junior said.
Mirarchi added that she would advocate any "life affirming" alternative to abortion.
The talk -- which took place in Huntsman Hall -- drew about a dozen primarily anti-abortion audience members. At least two abortion rights activists were in attendance.
