This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit organization that provides women with reproductive health care. It kicks off a year long celebration, honoring the worldwide clinic that has had its fair share of controversy.
Back in Brooklyn 1916, Margaret Sanger opened up the first birth control clinic in the U.S., which attracted many women. It was shut down nine days later as it violated Comstock obscenity laws. Passing in thirty states, these laws prohibited the sale and advertisement of contraception. She made sure to keep fighting for reproductive health care though. In 1921, she founded the American Birth Control League, which didn’t outright sell birth control, but promoted the finding of birth control clinics and encouraged women to take control of their health. During this time, she also published The Birth Control Review, which detailed the movement and other prominent members of the era. The main goal was to inform women of their choices when it comes to reproductive health care, something that had been a radical idea. Every part of the movement led up to the creation of Planned Parenthood.
Even in the modern age, a great amount of controversy still surrounds it. There are some politicians who think funding should be cut due to “protecting life”, and some religious leaders who consider birth control wrong. Groups that want to stop PP are still thriving and protests still happen each year. But it continues to liberate many women and provide them with choices. Contrary to what some may think, abortion and birth control aren’t the only services provided. Women health care services, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and services, counseling and even (wait for it!) men’s health are included within the clinic. These services are actually done more than abortion. This clinic is important for many as they may not have other choices. It provides excellent care, something everyone needs.
With 650 clinics across the nation and 100 years, Planned Parenthood has done so much for women. It’s demanded access to quality care and control; it’s a celebration of our rights. It’s still a fight to keep the clinics open, but it doesn’t seem to be stopping soon. So with declarations of support, a pledge and even a comic book, Planned Parenthood celebrates a milestone.
