History of Planned Parenthood in Timeline

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health care, sexual education, and family planning services in the U.S. and internationally. As a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Planned Parenthood offers a range of services, including contraception, STD testing and treatment, abortion services, and cancer screenings. The organization is a prominent advocate for reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

October 16, 1916: First birth control clinic opened

On October 16, 1916, Margaret Sanger, her sister Ethel Byrne, and Fania Mindell opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. in Brooklyn, New York. They were arrested for distributing birth control, birth control advice, and birth control information, leading to the Brownsville trials.

1916: First birth control clinic opens

In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, located in Brooklyn, New York.

1921: American Birth Control League founded

In 1921, Margaret Sanger founded the American Birth Control League (ABCL).

1921: Clinic becomes American Birth Control League

In 1921, the clinic was organized into the American Birth Control League, the core of the only national birth-control organization in the U.S. until the 1960s.

1923: Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau Opened

In 1923, Sanger opened the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau (BCCRB) for dispensing contraceptives under the supervision of licensed physicians and studying their effectiveness.

1938: Citizens Committee for Planned Parenthood organized

In 1938, a group of private citizens organized the Citizens Committee for Planned Parenthood to aid the American Birth Control League in spreading scientific knowledge about birth control to the general public.

1939: Birth Control Federation of America formed

In 1939, the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau (BCCRB) merged with the American Birth Control League (ABCL) to form the Birth Control Federation of America (BCFA).

1941: ABCL operating statistics

By 1941, the American Birth Control League was operating 222 centers and had served 49,000 clients.

1942: Efforts on strengthening ties, expanding education, and improving medical and research work

From 1942, PPFA concentrated its efforts on strengthening its ties to affiliates, expanding public education programs, and improving its medical and research work.

1942: BCFA renamed Planned Parenthood Federation of America

In 1942, the name of the Birth Control Federation of America (BCFA) was changed to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

1942: Planned Parenthood established

In 1942, the successor organization to the American Birth Control League became Planned Parenthood.

1952: Planned Parenthood founding member of IPPF

In 1952, Planned Parenthood was one of the founding members of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) when it was launched at a conference in Bombay (now Mumbai), India.

1955: Planned Parenthood advocates abortion law reform

In 1955, Planned Parenthood began to advocate abortion law reform when medical director Mary Calderone convened a national conference of medical professionals on the issue.

1960: Family planning counseling provided in hundreds of communities

By 1960, the Federation had provided family planning counseling in hundreds of communities across the country, largely relying on a volunteer workforce.

1960: Visitor statistics to PPFA centers

By 1960, visitors to PPFA centers across the nation numbered over 300,000 per year.

1961: PPFA merges with World Population Emergency Campaign

In 1961, the population crisis debate, along with funding shortages, convinced PPFA to merge with the World Population Emergency Campaign, a citizens' fund-raising organization to become PPFA-World Population.

1962: Alan Frank Guttmacher becomes president of Planned Parenthood

Alan Frank Guttmacher became president of Planned Parenthood in 1962.

1962: PPFA concentrating efforts on strengthening ties to affiliates, expanding education and improving medical and research work

Until 1962, PPFA concentrated its efforts on strengthening its ties to affiliates, expanding public education programs, and improving its medical and research work.

1966: Margaret Sanger Award established

In 1966, PPFA began awarding the Margaret Sanger Award annually to honor individuals for excellence and leadership in furthering reproductive health and reproductive rights.

1969: Planned Parenthood calls for repeal of anti-abortion laws

In 1969, Planned Parenthood called for the repeal of all anti-abortion laws, culminating their increasing advocacy for liberalized abortion laws during the 1960s.

1970: Federal funding for Planned Parenthood begins

Planned Parenthood has received federal funding since 1970, when President Richard Nixon signed into law the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act, amending the Public Health Service Act.

1973: Roe v. Wade Decision

In 1973, Harry Blackmun, William Rehnquist and Byron White voted on the original Roe v. Wade decision, and were still on the Supreme Court to rule on the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, and their votes on this case were consistent with their votes on the original decision that legalized abortion.

1974: Alan Frank Guttmacher's tenure as president ends

Alan Frank Guttmacher's tenure as president of Planned Parenthood ended in 1974.

1977: Center for Family Planning Program Development renamed

In 1977, the Center for Family Planning Program Development became an independent organization and was renamed the Guttmacher Institute.

1978: Faye Wattleton becomes president

In 1978, Faye Wattleton became the first African American and youngest president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

1992: Faye Wattleton's presidency ends

In 1992, Faye Wattleton's term as president of Planned Parenthood ended.

1992: Planned Parenthood v Casey

In 1992, Planned Parenthood played a key role in the landmark abortion rights case Planned Parenthood v Casey.

1994: Brookline Planned Parenthood clinic shooting

In 1994, John Salvi entered a Planned Parenthood clinic in Brookline, Massachusetts, and opened fire, murdering receptionist Shannon Elizabeth Lowney and wounding three others. He then fled to another Planned Parenthood clinic where he murdered Leane Nichols and wounded two others.

1996: Gloria Feldt becomes leader

In 1996, Gloria Feldt became the leader of Planned Parenthood, and activated the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF).

1996: Planned Parenthood Action Fund Founded

In 1996, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund was founded by then-president Gloria Feldt to maintain supportive health rights and support political candidates of the same mindset.

2003: Ban on Intact Dilation and Extraction

Since 2003, intact dilation and extraction, a type of late-term abortion, has been illegal in the U.S. Planned Parenthood opposes bans on late-term abortions.

2005: Minnesota Fine

In 2005, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota was fined $50,000 for violating a Minnesota state parental consent law.

2005: HHS Inspection

In 2005, an inspection by the Bush administration's Department of Health and Human Services found no evidence of Planned Parenthood clinics failing to comply with laws on reporting child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.

February 15, 2006: Cecile Richards becomes president of Planned Parenthood

On February 15, 2006, Cecile Richards became president of Planned Parenthood.

2006: Gloria Feldt's tenure ends

In 2006, Gloria Feldt's tenure as leader of Planned Parenthood ended.

2006: Phill Kline releases patient records

In 2006, Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline released some sealed patient records obtained from Planned Parenthood to the public. The state Supreme Court described his actions as "troubling."

2006: Indiana Court of Appeals Ruling

In 2006, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that Planned Parenthood was not required to turn over its medical records in an investigation of possible child abuse.

2007: No Criminal Charges Filed

In 2007, Phill Kline's successor, Paul J. Morrison, notified the clinic that no criminal charges would be filed after a three-year investigation, stating that "an objective, unbiased and thorough examination" showed no wrongdoing.

2008: Planned Parenthood Endorses Obama

In 2008, Planned Parenthood endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential election.

May 2010: Largest facility completed in Houston

In May 2010, the largest Planned Parenthood facility, a $26 million, 78,000-square-foot structure, was completed in Houston, Texas.

2010: Live Action releases undercover videos

Beginning in 2010, Live Action released several series of undercover videos filmed in Planned Parenthood centers which alleged that Planned Parenthood employees were assisting in aiding a prostitution ring, advising on sex-selective abortions, and willing to harm infants born alive after botched abortions. Some Planned Parenthood employees and volunteers were fired, the organization committed to retraining its staff, and one center was placed on probation, but no criminal convictions resulted.

2011: Government shutdown nearly occurs

In 2011, the debate around federal funding of Planned Parenthood nearly led to a government shutdown in the US.

2012: Cecile Richards named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

In 2012, Cecile Richards was voted one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

2012: Planned Parenthood Endorses Obama

In 2012, Planned Parenthood endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential election.

2012: Criminal Charges Dropped

In 2012, a Kansas district attorney found that the practices of the Kansas City-area Planned Parenthood clinic were "within accepted practices in the medical community" and dropped all of the remaining criminal charges.

2012: Grand Chute Planned Parenthood clinic bombing

In 2012, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, was bombed by an unknown individual.

2012: Texas State Court Ruling

In 2012, a Texas state court judge denied Planned Parenthood's request for a temporary restraining order against the State of Texas, concluding that the State may exclude otherwise qualified doctors and clinics from receiving state funding if the doctors or clinics advocate for abortion rights.

2012: Planned Parenthood Action Fund gained Prominence

In the 2012 election cycle, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund gained prominence based on its effectiveness in spending on candidates.

2013: PPFA reports seeing 2.7 million patients

In 2013, PPFA reported seeing 2.7 million patients in 4.6 million clinical visits.

2013: Unspent Revenue

In 2013, Planned Parenthood reported that 10 percent of their revenue was not spent.

June 30, 2014: Planned Parenthood's Total Revenue

On June 30, 2014, Planned Parenthood's total revenue was reported as $1.3 billion, with $305 million from non-government health services, $528 million from government revenue, $392 million from private contributions, and $78 million from other operating revenue.

2014: PPFA Provides 9.5 million discrete services

According to PPFA, in 2014 the organization provided 3.6 million contraceptive services, 4.5 million sexually transmitted infection services, about one million cancer related services, over one million pregnancy tests and prenatal services, over 324,000 abortion services, and over 100,000 other services, for a total of 9.5 million discrete services.

2014: Government Grants and Contracts

In 2014, Planned Parenthood received approximately $528 million in government grants and contracts, which is over a third of its total funding.

2014: Political Spending in the 2014 Election Cycle

In the 2014 election cycle, Planned Parenthood spent $6,587,100 on contributions to candidates and political parties, overwhelmingly to Democrats, and on independent expenditures.

August 2015: Louisiana contract dispute

In August 2015, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal attempted to end Louisiana's contract with Planned Parenthood to treat Medicaid patients during a sexually transmitted infection epidemic. Planned Parenthood and three patients sued, and the Department of Justice sided with Planned Parenthood.

September 2015: Cecile Richards Testifies Before Congress

In September 2015, Cecile Richards, the president of PPAF, testified before Congress, stating that she did not manage the organization.

November 27, 2015: Colorado Springs clinic shooting

On November 27, 2015, a gunman shot and killed two civilians and a police officer during a five-hour gun battle at the Colorado Springs, Colorado, Planned Parenthood clinic. The gunman, Robert Dear, was taken into custody and declared incompetent to stand trial.

2015: Pullman Planned Parenthood clinic arson

In 2015, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Pullman, Washington, was heavily damaged by arson.

2015: CMP releases secretly recorded videos

In 2015, the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), an anti-abortion organization, released secretly recorded videos showing abortion providers making fetal tissue available to researchers. These videos led to scrutiny of Planned Parenthood and attempts to defund the organization. The videos attracted widespread media coverage and sparked legislative efforts to cut federal family planning funding from Planned Parenthood.

2015: Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015

In 2015, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 (H.R. 3762) was introduced, aiming to prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal Medicaid funds for one year.

January 2016: Texas grand jury indicts CMP founder

In January 2016, a Texas grand jury, initially chartered to investigate Planned Parenthood, found no wrongdoing by the organization. Instead, it indicted CMP founder David Daleiden and member Sandra Merritt for creating and using false government IDs and attempting to purchase fetal tissue.

February 2, 2016: House Fails to Override Veto

On February 2, 2016, the U.S. House failed to override President Obama's veto of H.R. 3762, which would have prohibited Planned Parenthood from receiving federal Medicaid funds for one year.

December 30, 2016: House Committee recommends defunding Planned Parenthood

On December 30, 2016, the Republican-controlled U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Select Investigative Panel released its final report recommending that Planned Parenthood be defunded. The report was criticized as partisan and inaccurate.

2016: Texas Medicaid Exclusion Study

A 2016 study found that the exclusion of Planned Parenthood-affiliated clinics from Texas's Medicaid fee-for-service family-planning program was linked to reductions in the provision of contraception and an increase in child-bearing for women who used injectable contraceptives and who were covered by Medicaid.

2016: Obama Administration Rule on Family-Planning Funds

Late in 2016, the Obama administration issued a rule effective in January 2017 banning U.S. states from withholding federal family-planning funds from health clinics that give abortions, including Planned Parenthood affiliates.

January 2017: Rule banning states from withholding family-planning funds blocked

In January 2017, a rule issued by the Obama administration banning states from withholding federal family-planning funds from health clinics that give abortions was blocked by a federal judge the day before it would have taken effect. The rule mandates federal funds for services related to sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy care, fertility, contraception, and cancer screening to qualified health providers regardless of abortion services.

March 2017: Daleiden and Merritt charged with felonies in California

In March 2017, David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt were charged with 15 felonies in the State of California. These charges included one for each person they filmed without consent and one for criminal conspiracy to invade privacy.

March 2017: American Health Care Act

In March 2017, the proposed American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628) was announced by Congressional Republicans, which would have made Planned Parenthood "ineligible for Medicaid reimbursements or federal family planning grants."

June 2017: Invasion of privacy charges dismissed (with leave to amend)

In June 2017, all invasion of privacy charges against Daleiden and Merritt were dismissed with leave to amend, while the conspiracy charge remained.

July 2017: State of California re-files amended charges

In July 2017, the State of California re-filed amended charges against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt.

2017: Staff Unionization Campaigns

Starting in 2017, frontline Planned Parenthood staff publicly engaged in unionization campaigns at many Planned Parenthood locations.

April 30, 2018: Cecile Richards' tenure as president ends

Cecile Richards' tenure as president of Planned Parenthood ended on April 30, 2018.

September 12, 2018: Leana Wen announced as president

On September 12, 2018, the organization announced that Leana Wen would take over as president of Planned Parenthood, effective November 2018.

November 2018: Leana Wen becomes president

In November 2018, Leana Wen became president of Planned Parenthood.

2018: Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains Agreed to Contract

Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains challenged the results of its union election at the National Labor Relations Board and hired Fisher Phillips lawfirm to run an anti-union campaign, before eventually agreeing to a contract in 2018.

July 16, 2019: Leana Wen removed as president

On July 16, 2019, Leana Wen was removed as president of Planned Parenthood by the organization's board of directors.

August 19, 2019: Planned Parenthood withdraws from Title X funding

On August 19, 2019, Planned Parenthood voluntarily withdrew from Title X funding due to a regulatory gag order stating that medical institutions receiving Title X funding cannot refer patients for abortions.

January 2020: Nicole Moore hired as director

In January 2020, Nicole Moore, a Black woman, was hired as the director of Planned Parenthood's multicultural brand engagement.

2020: Planned Parenthood clinic closures increase mortality

A 2020 study found that the closure of Planned Parenthood clinics resulted in increases in the maternal mortality rate, impacting all women and increasing mortality by 6–15% across racial/ethnic groups.

2020: Planned Parenthood distances itself from Sanger

In 2020, reacting to criticisms of Sanger's endorsement of eugenics, Planned Parenthood took steps to distance itself from their founder by removing some mentions of Sanger from their website and renaming the Planned Parenthood building on Bleecker Street (which previously was named after Sanger).

2020: Metropolitan Washington branch hacked

In 2020, the Metropolitan Washington branch of Planned Parenthood was hacked, compromising donor and patient information.

2020: Webby Award for Machine Learning and Bots

Planned Parenthood won the 2020 Webby Award for Machine Learning and Bots for their Sex Education chatbot.

October 2021: Data breach at Los Angeles branch

In October 2021, a hacker gained access to the data network of the Los Angeles branch of Planned Parenthood and obtained the personal information of approximately 400,000 patients.