Since Cynthia Nixon announced she was running for Governor of New York City in a brilliant video, she’s conducted her campaign with wit, intelligence and a ruthless determination.

Now, the Sex And The City actress has just shared a deeply personal and moving story at a pro-choice rally in Union Square this week. While addressing the crowd, Nixon opened up about her mother’s decision to have an illegal abortion in the 1960s.

“Abortion rights and reproductive rights is a very personal issue for me,” Nixon, told the crowd, according to People. “My mother had an abortion here in New York State before it was legal. And when I was old enough, she made sure to tell me about it.”

“It was very hard for her to speak about,” Nixon added. “She didn’t give a lot of details but it was very important for her to tell me that she had had an abortion, that it had been illegal, and that it had been a tremendously awful experience. She had wanted me to make sure that I knew her history so I can fully value how crucial reproductive freedom is.”

The powerful reason why Cynthia Nixon held up a coat hanger during speech