Planned Parenthood Before and After Roe : Historical Lessons for the Current Fight.

This article examines the historical evolution and political challenges of Planned Parenthood (PP) from its early 20th-century origins through the 1970s and into the contemporary post-Dobbs era. It highlights PP’s strategic shift from radical birth control advocacy to political accommodation and mainstream service provision, its complex relationship with abortion rights amid feminist and conservative pressures, and the tensions between its roles as both a healthcare provider and political advocate. The article also discusses how PP’s identity and funding have been contested, especially following the Roe v. Wade decision and its overturning by Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, noting that independent clinics now provide the majority of abortion services despite receiving less financial support. The authors suggest that PP’s historical compromises and current vulnerabilities raise questions about its capacity to effectively serve constituents and advocate for reproductive justice in today’s polarized climate.