In honor of Planned Parenthood being 100 Years Strong ™, I thought it would be best to take a look at how the revolutionary organization became what it is today. In a six-part series, I will describe the history of Planned Parenthood all the way from 1916 to 2016 in order to help the millennial generation become more informed in order to solidify or change their stance on the defunding of Planned Parenthood. “Knowledge is power”, after all, and there is nothing more important than for the millennial generation to gain power over their political stance on social issues instead of succumbing to a moratorium.

You can read part one here!

1936-1956 The Start of a Movement:

1939 - Dr. Thelma Patten Law Serves The African American Community

Dr. Thelma Patten Law becomes one of the first African American women ob-gyns in Texas. She provided health care for more than 25 years at Planned Parenthood Houston health center, which opened in 1936.

1943 - The National Clergyman's Advisory Council Launches

The first supportive clergy committee is organized with the efforts of Margaret Sanger and Kenneth Rose, then executive director of Planned Parenthood. The committee becomes the precursor to the Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board. Many religious denominations and leaders have played a role in advocating for reproductive health, including securing access to abortion and birth control in the United States.

1951 - Research Leading To The Birth Control Pill Begins

Planned Parenthood awards a grant to Gregory Pincus, John Rock, and M.C. Change to undertake research of the development of the birth control pill. Katharine Dexter McCormick, a leader in the suffrage movement and the League of Women Voters, is the head of the research process. She also provides a majority of the financial resources needed for this research through donations.

In 1956, the first large-scale human trial of the birth control pill is conducted in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican women participating in the trial, but are not told that they were participating in an experimental clinical trial. The hormone levels were 20 times too high, creating harmful side effects for the participants.

1952 - The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Is Established

IPPF is founded at the 3rd International Conference on Planned Parenthood in Bombay, India. It is the result of campaigning by various brave and determined women, this includes Margaret Sanger, who served as its president from 1952-1959. Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the U.S Member Association to IPPF.