“I dont remember seeing her face. All I remember is her telling me “Hita, If you don’t sign those papers (permission papers for tubal ligation), your baby could die here.” – Consuelo Hermosillo (8:39-8:56)
“The only thing the doctor said was, “Mama” Because he wouldn’t say sign here or here. They couldn’t say anything, they only signalled, “Mama”.” (21:18-21:32)
“The nervous breakdown came inside of the house. My mind broke. I was going to kill myself. I was just desperate to end it.” – Maria Figueroa, Sterilized at age 24 (1:07:46-1:08:50)
We had many plans, he and I (her husband). The most important was that we wanted to buy a house since we both worked. All of our plans came tumbling down (after being informed about her forced tubal ligation). That’s when he started to drink. – Dolores Madrigal, sterilized at age 39 (36:51- 37:12)
“Before the baby was before, the doctor called a young nurse over and she told me that I needed to sign. It was in English. She said you need to sign right away…. I said I can’t sign my husband Robert isn’t here… If you don’t sign you’ll die. Then the nurse grabbed my hand and signed my name. I didnt know I was sterilized until four years later. ” – Melvina Hernandez sterilized at age 23 (22:46- 23:31)
Witnesses to the Sterilizations
One of the senior residents showed us a tubal ligation book, we signed up women for tubal ligation. He said I want you to ask all these girls if they want their tubes tied, I don’t care how old they are. And I said did you asked them during labor. And he said sure I asked them after the eighth pain, thats how its done right. – Bernard Rosenfeld (5:35-5:58)
I saw doctors were holding up the syringe, and saying “do you want this shot?” No mas dolor and showing the needle saying this will take away the pain. Sign, Sign (referring to the paper allowing them to do a tubal ligation) – Dr. Karen Benker (6:35- 6:47)