As you probably know, we are part of an upcoming pro-life event scheduled for July 26 in Little Rock (click here to learn more). The special guest speaker is Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic and now a pro-life advocate. Below is a short biographical sketch detailing her transition from Planned Parenthood and some of what you can expect to hear her talk about next week.
Abby Johnson was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic. In October 2009, she quit her job as clinic director and switched sides, joining Coalition for Life, a pro-life organization. She now works as Chief Research Strategist for Live Action, a pro-life organization.
Although unsure of her reasons, Johnson had begun to question her work and the motivations of Planned Parenthood a full year before she left the company. Then, in
September 2009 Johnson assisted in an ultra-sound guided abortion on a 13-week old baby and witnessed the infant fight against them, but eventually lose and die. The next month, Johnson left Planned Parenthood and walked down the street to a local chapter of Coalition for Life.
When Planned Parenthood learned the reason why Johnson had quit her job as clinic director, the company insisted on a temporary gag order and took her to court. They also informed the media about the gag order. While the media picked up the story, the judge dismissed the case against Johnson on the spot. The next day she appeared on the O’Reilly Factor and has since been interviewed by other national news sources.
Johnson’s book, unPLANNED, which details her journey from volunteer to employee of Planned Parenthood, her dilemma in leaving, and her current place in the pro-life
movement, was released on January 11, 2011.
Johnson holds a B.S. in psychology from Texas A&M University and an M.A. in counseling from Sam Houston State University. She worked at Planned Parenthood for four years and had volunteered there for four years previously. She, her husband, and their young daughter live in Texas.
