I juggle a full-time job, three kids with busy schedules, and I’m also in training for my second marathon. Yet, you’ll often find me on Saturday mornings donning a bright pink vest outside my local Planned Parenthood clinic. You might wonder why I choose to spend my precious free time as a clinic escort, enduring the verbal onslaught from zealous anti-abortion protestors. The answer is simple: the patients seeking care at Planned Parenthood deserve better than to face hostility.
Each year, I visit my OB-GYN for my annual check-up, which includes a cervical cancer screening. I walk in without the fear of being yelled at, confronted by graphic signs, or having my license plate noted down. Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality for many women who rely on Planned Parenthood for essential health services.
It’s important to note that abortions make up only about 3% of the services offered by Planned Parenthood. The organization also provides a range of vital healthcare services such as birth control, STD testing, Pap smears, breast exams, and routine gynecological care—all at affordable rates for both men and women. While I believe strongly in the right to choose, we cannot allow the noise surrounding that one issue to overshadow the essential work that Planned Parenthood does. Everyone deserves access to medical care without harassment, and I feel it’s my duty to help facilitate that.
The first time I drove into the parking lot for orientation, I was filled with trepidation and uncertainty. I wasn’t prepared for the barrage of protestors or the signs, which seems silly since I was there to escort patients in. But the sight of fellow volunteers in pink vests, smiling calmly, provided a reassuring atmosphere. I can only imagine how comforting that must be for the patients.
Research has repeatedly shown that when access to contraception increases, abortion rates decline. None has shown that yelling “baby killer” at women entering a clinic contributes to that decrease. What I witness instead are distressed individuals being harassed, like the time I saw a passerby burst into tears upon hearing she was near a “baby-killing factory.” I’ve also witnessed protestors trying to provoke confrontations with clinic staff and volunteers. One memorable scene involved a mother having her seven children recite the rosary for hours, holding signs with messages like, “Mommy save me” and “RU-486 = dead babies in the toilet.”
I’ve been threatened with eternal damnation, splashed with “holy water,” and accused of harboring a darkness that would eventually spill into the streets. I’ve heard staff members compared to those who worked at Auschwitz. None of this prevents abortion; it only adds stress to an already difficult day.
On the flip side, the relief I see on patients’ faces as they are greeted by an escort is priceless. Many have thanked me tearfully as they leave. I often hear honks of support from passing cars and strangers shouting “thank you for being an escort.” On chilly days, thoughtful folks stop by with coffee or treats. Witnessing a group of pink-vested volunteers forming a protective barrier to guide a patient through the protestors toward the clinic door is incredibly rewarding. For every negative experience I encounter, making that small part of their journey easier makes it all worthwhile.
Planned Parenthood was instrumental in my life as a teenager needing birth control. They were there for me when I learned that contraception had failed shortly after I graduated high school. They supported me when I chose to continue my pregnancy and were there for my friend when she made the opposite choice. I want my 14-year-old daughter and her friends to have the same support when they need it.
As long as there are individuals who must enter Planned Parenthood facing hostility, I’ll be there in my pink vest, smiling and ready to welcome them.
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In summary, volunteering as an escort at Planned Parenthood is about more than just supporting a cause; it’s about ensuring women have access to vital healthcare without facing intimidation. Each weekend, I stand ready to make a positive impact, one patient at a time.