Planned Parenthood Advocacy and Political Organizations Merge to Create Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates

INDIANAPOLIS, IN— Today, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawai‘i (PPVNH) and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky (PPAIK) announced the official merger of their two 501(c)4 designated organizations. The newly named nonprofit, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Serving AK, HI, ID, IN, KY, WA (PPAA), will be responsible for Planned Parenthood’s advocacy and political work across the six-state region. Jennifer Allen, Chief Executive Officer of the previously separate organizations, will continue in that role at PPAA. 

“Since this process began in 2019, our two organizations have lifted each other up, and I am confident that together we are an unstoppable force across our six-state region,” said Rev. Lauren Jones Mayfield, PPAA Vice Board Chair. “Together, our six states benefit from one another because of the unique geographies we serve. We weigh each political fight and optimize our impact because we have experience across diverse state legislatures and political environments. We look forward to expanding our reach and delivering on the mission to provide care to those who need it regardless of orientation, gender, race, income, zip code, or immigration status.”

PPVNH and PPAIK began merger negotiations by forming a strategic alliance at the start of 2019, with the intent to strengthen reproductive health care delivery, grow sexual health education programs, and join forces to build power in advocacy work. The strategic alliance was a success, and the merger was finalized on April 1, 2021. PPAA works as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky (PPGNHAIK) and provides services for three other regional provider affiliates, a purview that includes limited electoral work. 

“After a long and thoughtful merger process, during an extraordinarily challenging time, we know we are stronger together and we are excited to be a formally united six-state organization,” said Jennifer Allen, CEO of PPAA. “This organization, amid political attacks and a global health crisis, has used our strategic alliance process to build power in all six of our states. Together, we will fight back against attacks on sexual and reproductive health and the many issues that impact access to care, while fighting forward for our future.”

The merger has already made a positive impact in Kentucky, when in 2019 the allied organizations were able to support an associated Political Action Committee, Planned Parenthood Action Kentucky, to invest in the first electoral field campaign to defeat the sitting governor. Planned Parenthood Action Kentucky mobilized a rapidly growing supporter base and engaged 75,000 Kentuckians in the fight for reproductive freedom. Thanks in large part to this effort, Governor Matt Bevin was replaced with Governor Andy Beshear, a supporter of reproductive health care access, including abortion. In 2020, Kentucky went from one abortion provider to two.

“I am excited and proud of this merger because the strength of our organizations combined will only intensify and diversify our ability to support individuals and communities advocating for the intersectional issues that affect access to sexual and reproductive health care,” said Jennifer Martinez, PPAA board chair. “In communities of color, LGBTQ+ communities, for people with disabilities or low incomes, for people in urban or rural areas, and no matter how hostile or friendly their political environment, this expansion will increase our power to engage and support people in the fight for access to sexual and reproductive health care and bodily autonomy, no matter what.”

  

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Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Serving AK, HI, ID, IN, KY, WA (PPAA) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization educating residents and policymakers about reproductive health issues in Alaska, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky and Washington. PPAA lobbies and educates to advance Planned Parenthood's mission, and engages in limited electoral activities.