Coerced Not Forced

It was 2021 and I was pregnant with our second son. Washington state’s left-leaning politics were becoming exhausting and dangerous, so we packed everything, sold our home, and moved to Tennessee. We thought we were safe from draconian COVID mandates. We wanted to take a break and plant roots in our new home state. 

At nine months of pregnancy, my place of employment mandated that every employee receive the COVID-19 vaccine or face termination. I truly could not believe it. This place was known to be inclusive and where we were encouraged to “be you.” I had considered my place of employment the best place to work and where I would work until retirement. I never thought I would have to advocate for my medical freedom at my place of employment, especially at nine months pregnant. 

Motherhood brings a strength and conviction that is hard to comprehend until you become a mother. Mothers are known to protect their children at all costs. The COVID-19 vaccine had not gone through extensive testing, nor had we seen how it would affect pregnant women and their babies. At the time, it had also been discovered that the vaccine contained ingredients with traces of aborted baby cells. Needless to say, I did not need more reasons to decline the vaccine.  

This is when I filed for a religious exemption.

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The company stood firm by its mandate and quoted the CDC if employees were hesitant to comply. A few days before announcing their vaccine mandate, they conveniently gave most employees a pay rise (except for me though. I already made enough, and you know, equity). 

Later, those who decided not to comply with their vaccine mandate were sent home to work until further notice. We were segregated from those who were vaccinated to keep the vaccinated safe. Management was instructed to meet with employees who decided against the vaccine to talk through hesitations, but it became obvious that these were pressure sessions. 

In those sessions, I was asked when I planned on taking the vaccine and it was my job as a leader to set an example. In every session, my response was the same. I did not plan on taking the vaccine because I was 9 months pregnant and was planning on nursing my son. In one session, I learned that religious exemptions did not apply to me because I was a salaried employee and a leader. I knew this was not true and asked to see the policy or law that included this verbiage. I never received a policy or law. 

About two weeks before my son came, I was pulled into another session. In this session, I was informed that because I was not planning on getting vaccinated, I would be removed from my role and be essentially demoted until I decided to comply. 

After giving this company almost 7 years of my life, this was a slap in the face. For the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy, I lived in a state of stress and confusion and wondered whether I’d have a job or not. My maternity leave wasn’t any different because I still did not know if I would have a job when I came back. 

Fortunately, during my maternity leave my state lawmakers held a special session where a law that prevented employers from mandating the COVID vaccine on employees passed. This meant that I still had a job and I could finally put all of this behind me. 

Upon returning to work, the atmosphere was different. I still was not allowed to go back on site because of my vaccine status but I didn’t mind. That meant more time with my son. I also did not feel welcome, and I knew that was because of my vaccination status. I dealt with disciplinary action for false accusations, and I knew it was because of my vaccination status. After dealing with those incidents for a few months I knew it was time to leave and that is what I did. 

Many believe they were forced to take the COVID vaccine, but I don’t hold that belief. As my previous employer would say, “no one here is going to grab you and inject you with the vaccine.” That was true. No one forced me but I was coerced. Like many, my job was threatened, and I was removed from my role for deciding to not take the vaccine. 

Had it not been for my faith, I probably would have complied. My husband and I prayed relentlessly for guidance. I was convicted of not taking the vaccine and I knew that God would provide for us, and he did. 

There is a passage in the Bible that says if God provides for the birds why would we think he would not provide for us. My resistance paid off and our family was blessed with new opportunities, no vaccine regret, and a healthy baby boy.