A woman's voice.

I was shocked that the editors of Commonweal printed eight letters from men and not a single letter from a woman in response to the exchange between Kenneth Woodward and Mario Cuomo ("Catholics, Politics & Abortion," September 24). What do these guys know about being pregnant for nine months? What do these males know about giving birth?

Here are my reasons why women won't change their minds about abortion: Because women alone live in fear and worry about their next period and what it could mean. Because it is girls and women who can be raped by boyfriends, daddies, uncles, strangers, ministers, priests. Because it is women and girls who have to go through the nine months of pregnancy--discomfort, morning sickness, body distortion, urinary problems, and reduced enjoyment of sex. Because mothers and grandmothers know that there has to be an option if their child or grandchild is raped or abused.

RACHEL CONRAD WAHLBERG

Austin, Tex.