Planned Parenthood celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and is stronger than ever. Throughout history this organization has fought and pushed to grant education, healthcare, medical services,  and promoted research for all people regardless of his or her fertility, of the individual’s income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. Planned Parenthood has granted the human right to reproductive rights for everyone.

 

It all began with three women, Margaret Sanger, Ethel Byrne, and Fania                    Mindell, who opened a clinic to provide birth control information and advice          to women.

After the opening it was shut down just 9 days later by the police and the women were charged with crimes. Margaret Sanger in particular refused to pay the fine and spent 30 days in jail.

After 14 years of advocating, the New York Urban leagues endorsed a new             clinic for black women who were denied access to health and social services.

In 1943 The National Clergyman Advisory Council launched to become the         precursor to the Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board. Many religious leaders have played a critical role in advocating for reproductive health.

In 1951, Planned Parenthood granted funds to researchers to develop the             first birth control pill and in 1956 the first human trail took place in Puerto       Rico.

In 1965 contraceptives were legalized for married couples in the Griswold v. Connecticut case. Researchers found that one out of four married women under the age of 45 had utilized the pill.

In 1967, 19 Protestant ministers, and two rabbis created an underground community of about 1,400 clergy members to assist women who were at the time seeking out abortions.

About 11, 000 abortions were performed by this underground group until 1973 when Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion nationwide.

In the case of Eisenstadt v. Baird, the U.S. Supreme Court disbanded the Massachusetts statute, which banned contraceptives from unmarried couples.

 

Following the legalization of contraceptive usage and abortion came the launch of national sex education programs, and a safe place for women to seek help with family planning, referrals or medical services. While there were and are many success of Planned Parenthood that does on deter from the acts of violence that have occurred, and the numerous set backs from government officials. This is and will continue to be an ongoing battle. It is the fundamental right to every person to say what they choose to do with their fertility. We must respect everyone and value their opinion. Planned Parenthood has created and maintained a safe and nonjudgemental ground where all people can seek information in a private and safe space. It is our obligation to fight and advocate for the equality of all humans reproductive rights. We must continue to do so as our President begins to ban funding to those who support abortions.