Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade — the landmark Supreme Court decision that confirmed a woman’s constitutional right to consider safe and legal abortion, if and when she needs it, and without interference from politicians.

July 17, 2013

The night before the second inauguration of President Barack Obama Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Rock the Vote hosted their own inauguration party—Plan to Rock—celebrating the power of young people and the importance of protecting women’s health and rights.

July 17, 2013

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is far out of the mainstream when it comes to women’s health. His entire career has been an exercise in trying to reduce and deny women access to care. He has co-sponsored “personhood” measures that would give full legal rights to fertilized eggs, supported defunding Planned Parenthood, and was the first attorney general to file a lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — on the same day the bill was signed into law.

July 17, 2013

This week—as we celebrate 40 years of Roe v. Wade—we’re reminded of the importance the ruling made in women’s health and lives. By confirming a woman’s constitutional right to consider safe and legal abortion, if and when she needs it, the Supreme Court ruled that women could be trusted to make their own health care decisions, without interference from politicians.

July 17, 2013

The first version of the New Mexico abortion bill could have jailed the rape survivor. The redrafted version could jail the health provider. Either way, the woman loses her right to make her own medical decisions without interference from politicians. New Mexico Rep. Cathrynn Brown's new bill is no better than the old one.

July 17, 2013

As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton has put the rights of women and girls front and center in the State Department policies and programs; she will truly be missed! Much has been made of her unique partnership with President Obama, but we think it’s worth taking a few minutes to talk about her legacy for women and girls.

July 17, 2013

As the Republican Party continues to regroup after major loses in the 2012 elections—where it suffered from the largest gender gap in history—pro-women’s health Republicans are joining with Republican Majority for Choice (RMC) to call on the GOP to chart a new course in its approach to women’s health. Already, Republicans in Congress have attacked women’s health, introducing multiple bills to defund Planned Parenthood demonstrating, they’re back to their old tactics. If the 2012 election proved anything, it’s that attacking women’s health is not a winning strategy. Now, more than ever, we must take action and ask the party to rethink its extreme stances on women’s reproductive health policy, as well as the wildly offensive statements from numerous GOP candidates that drove away scores of women voters in the previous election.

July 17, 2013

Today is Hillary Clinton’s last day of work at the State Department. It is also the day when John Kerry will begin his work as secretary of state. As this transition takes place, one issue we have paid close attention to is the future of U.S. leadership for women’s health and rights globally, which Clinton has made a priority during her tenure. This week, however, the Obama administration has made clear that this administration will continue its official policy of fostering tremendous advancements for women and girls around the world. This is great news for women and young people worldwide and signals the lasting legacy of Clinton’s leadership in promoting women and girls.

July 17, 2013

First passed in 1994 with broad bipartisan support, and reauthorized TWICE since with improved protections, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a critical law that has had a tremendous impact on reducing the national rate of intimate partner violence. One would think that passing a bill that works to ensure women are safe and healthy would be a no brainer, but that was not the case last year. Lawmakers in Congress failed to come to an agreement to reauthorize VAWA. More specifically, the House refused to pass an inclusive VAWA bill that meets the needs of all victims, including Native Americans, immigrants, and LGBT victims.

July 17, 2013