Planned Parenthood Federation of America History

The origin of Planned Parenthood Federation dates back to 1916 when the first birth control clinic in the United States was opened in Brooklyn, New York by Margaret Sanger and her associates. This clinic later in 1938 organized the first and only birth control organization at that time, known as American Birth Control League which remained so until the 1960s. The league had around 222 centers operating across the country by the year 1941 and by 1942 it became a part of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

This organization with the help of a number of volunteers had been providing family planning counseling to a large number of communities across the United States by the end of 1960. Planned Parenthood federation of America later on went on to become one of the founding members of the International Planned Parenthood Federation which started in 1952.

Until 1962, Sanger was the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation and then she was replaced by Alan Frank Guttmacher during whose tenure, the sale of the original birth control pill was cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration thus providing a new found reproductive freedom to women. Later on the Federal Government funded various domestic as well as international programs on family planning. A semi autonomous division, The Center for family Planning Program development was started during the tenure of Alan Frank.

In 1978, Alan Frank was succeeded by Faye Wattleton who led the federation to an exponential growth and during her tenure the organization became the seventh largest charity in the United States servicing four million clients and running 170 affiliates. Planned Parenthood Action Fund was started by her successor Gloria Feldt along with Responsible Choices Action Agenda to prevent unwanted pregnancies and improve reproductive healthcare system. Global Partnership Program was also initiated during her tenure. Currently Cecile Richards is the president of the organization, which is doing a valuable service to the people of United States.

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