This Planned Parenthood Trailblazer Will Always Be Woke
A one-on-one with long-serving reproductive rights activist Faye Wattleton
As seasoned reproductive rights activists and those new to the movement prepare for this generation’s fight to protect Title X, birth control affordability, abortion, and oppose anti-choice Supreme Court justices, it is more critical than ever to learn from the movement’s history.
Faye Wattleton ran Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 1978–1992, making her the longest-serving president of the storied organization. She was also the youngest person, the first African American women, and the first woman since founder Margaret Sanger to take on the role. Under her leadership, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) was formed as the organization’s political and advocacy arm. These days, 9 million people work in some capacity (donors, petition signers, activists) with PPAF — all because of the work Wattleton spearheaded.
Between the unceremonious dismissal of Dr. Leana Wen and the recent uptick in national interest in the maternal health among Black women, Wattleton is the woman to talk to about this moment in history.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
