SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University will host Melissa Ohden, abortion attempt survivor, at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 27 in the Saint Francis Center on the Briar Cliff campus. Ohden will discuss how surviving an abortion attempt affected her life. The event is free and open to the public.

A survivor of a saline infusion abortion attempt in 1977, Ohden was born at five months gestation and weighed less than three pounds. Today, Ohden is a social work supervisor in public child welfare and holds a master’s degree in social work. She also travels to college campuses in the U.S. and Canada, where she shares her story with others and advocates for resources and support for pregnant and parenting college students.

“Melissa Ohden’s story is incredible,” said Sheila Reidy, associate campus minister for BCCares. “Her story inspires forgiveness and love for every person.”

The event is sponsored by the Briar Cliff University Chapters of Catholic Daughters, Gospel of Life, Knights of Columbus and Peace and Justice Committee.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 24 states and four countries.  Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.

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