 Abortion was illegal in Arizona in the 1960s, but exceptions were made if the mother’s life was at risk, and under this exception, abortions were performed in hospitals regularly.The Finkbines scheduled an abortion, but when Sherri’s story was picked up by the media it created a media firestorm.An acquaintance who worked for the "Arizona Republic" had asked Sherri, on a promise of anonymity, to share her story.