I lead a busy life—working full-time, raising three children with packed schedules, and training for my second marathon. Yet, most Saturday mornings, you’ll find me standing outside my local Planned Parenthood, proudly donning a pink vest. You might wonder why I choose to spend some of my limited free time volunteering as a clinic escort, facing verbal assaults from zealous anti-abortion protestors. The answer is simple: the patients who rely on Planned Parenthood for their medical needs don’t have that choice.
Every year, I attend my OB-GYN for a routine exam that includes a cervical cancer screening. Strangers don’t shout at me as I enter. There are no graphic signs lining the parking lot, nor do people attempt to intimidate me by recording my license plate. I believe this is the experience for many others as well. Yet this is precisely what women seeking care at Planned Parenthood often face.
It’s important to note that abortions account for only 3% of the services offered by Planned Parenthood. They also provide birth control, STD screenings, Pap smears, breast exams, and essential gynecological care—all at affordable prices for both men and women. While I firmly support the right to choose, we must not allow the noise surrounding that single issue to overshadow the vital services Planned Parenthood offers. Everyone deserves access to medical care without harassment, and I feel compelled to help make that possible.
The first time I pulled into their parking lot for orientation, I was filled with anxiety. I wasn’t prepared for the protestors or their signs (which seems silly considering I was there to be an escort). However, the sight of the bright pink vests and the reassuring smiles of the volunteers calmed me. I can only imagine the comfort it provides to the patients.
Numerous studies indicate that increased access to contraception correlates with lower abortion rates, yet none show that yelling “baby killer” at women entering clinics has any positive effect. I see no “lives” being saved by protestors. Instead, I witness distressed individuals being chased and yelled at. I’ve seen bystanders break down in tears after being told they’re near a “baby-killing factory.” I’ve watched as protestors tried to provoke confrontation with police officers and volunteers. I even witnessed a mother line up her seven children against a wall, having them stand for hours reciting the rosary while holding handmade signs that read “Mommy save me” and “RU-486 = dead babies in the toilet.”
I’ve been threatened with eternal damnation, splashed with “holy water,” and told that the hatred within me would soon spill into the streets as blood. I’ve heard the clinic’s doctor compared to someone who worked at Auschwitz. None of this deters abortion; it only adds stress to an already difficult day.
Conversely, I’ve seen the relief on patients’ faces when greeted by an escort in the parking lot. Many have tearfully thanked me as they leave. I often receive honks of support from passing cars and shouts of appreciation from strangers on the street. On chilly days, people bring coffee, and on sunnier days, treats. There’s no better feeling than watching a line of pink-vested volunteers come together to guide a patient through the protestors and into the clinic’s door. For every distressing moment I witness, being able to ease that journey for even one person makes it all worthwhile.
Planned Parenthood supported me as a teenager when I needed birth control and again at 18 when I faced an unexpected pregnancy. They were there for my friend when she decided not to continue her pregnancy. I want Planned Parenthood to be there for my 14-year-old daughter and her friends if they ever need assistance.
Until we reach a point where no one’s daughter, sister, mother, brother, or friend walks into Planned Parenthood without a warm “Hello, welcome to our clinic,” you’ll find me in my pink vest, smiling and ready to escort you inside. For more insights on related topics, you can check out this post about terms and conditions that guides our community.
Summary
The author shares her experience as a volunteer escort for Planned Parenthood, highlighting the importance of providing support to patients facing harassment from protestors. She emphasizes the essential services offered by Planned Parenthood, such as birth control and health screenings, and reflects on her personal connection to the organization. The article advocates for accessible medical care free from intimidation, underlining the need for compassion and support in healthcare.