Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Viewing Ultrasound of Abortion

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When a woman sees an ultrasound of her unborn baby, studies indicate that she chooses life for that child eighty percent of the time.  Texas needs a law to require that ultrasounds be offered to all women considering abortion.  Ultrasounds save more than the lives of the unborn babies.  They are a powerful tool that can help anyone—not just a mother—understand the brutality of abortion. 

When Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director, viewed an abortion procedure through ultrasound technology, her heart sank, and she began to question her role at Planned Parenthood.  Abby saw the unborn child “crumple” as he was torn from his mother’s uterus. 

Johnson had volunteered and worked in Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas, for the past 8 years before becoming the director two years ago.  She was a self-described pro-choice advocate and was surprised by her reaction to the ultrasound after which she quit her job last week. 

Abby Johnson exhibited great courage as she recognized her misconceptions about abortion and later even joined Coalition for Life in prayer outside the clinic she once directed.  Once making her decision to leave Planned Parenthood, she said, “I feel so pure in heart. I don't have this guilt; I don't have this burden on me anymore.”  She is now determined to work as a Pro-Life advocate. 

Johnson noted that she had also been increasingly uncomfortable with the management of Planned Parenthood over the past several months.  With revenues decreasing during the current recession, she had been under pressure to promote the abortion services at the clinic, since abortions are far more lucrative than family planning or prevention. 

Texas Right to Life applauds Abby Johnson for taking such a courageous step and joining the fight against Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in America.  Her testimony yet again proves the immeasurable role that ultrasound can have in saving lives. 

Texas Right to Life will continue its campaign to show the importance of ultrasound and will again promote the Ultrasound Bill in the 82nd legislative session. 

Ultrasound Bill Background:

The Ultrasound Bill passed the State Senate in both 2007 and 2009, but failed to pass the State House both times.  Ultrasounds are standard medical procedure before abortions as well as a common practice during the abortion procedure.  The Ultrasound Bill would require women seeking abortions be offered the change to see the beforehand ultrasound of their unborn baby and not any performed during the procedure.