Reading the history of Planned Parenthood, over its 100 years of providing reproductive health care and education, one can’t help but be struck by the stoic courage and cheerful perseverance these folks have shown while facing every flavor of opposition imaginable, remaining devoted to the concept that sexual wellness and wisdom are basic human rights and that children should be wanted children. When you’re providing something as valid and important as that, the opposition tends to be downright unpleasant, but through it all, they’ve got our backs.
Planned Parenthood operates 600 health centers across the country, providing top-notch affordable health care to millions of people: contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, lifesaving cancer screenings, and safe, legal abortion. Their digital education tools and resources have educated millions more. To paraphrase Richard Nixon when he signed the Title X amendment to the Public Health Service Act (with bipartisan support, by the way): No one should be denied family planning help because they’re broke.
Kingston’s Planned Parenthood Health Center means so much to so many. Their understanding, expertise and supportive spirit are local legend; the stories are epic and endless. They’ll stand by you in a storm and get you feeling better, and it’s beautiful to see our readers stand by them.
“We are so honored to be awarded the Chronogrammie for Public Health Advocacy Organization,” says Chantelle Brown, health center manager of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. “This recognition propels us to continue being a proud provider of life altering reproductive services and a place of care for anyone who comes to our center. With abortion and reproductive healthcare under attack nationwide, this award is an opportunity to remind our Ulster County community that Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is committed to our patients, and we will continue to advocate for bodily autonomy for everyone. Abortion care is healthcare, and it is our mission to ensure everyone in Kingston has access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, no matter what.”
This article appears in July 2023.
