Hero of 'Unplanned' Takes the High Road with Message to Recently Terminated PP CEO
Dr. Leana Wen, the 36-year-old president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, is now the 36-year-old former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood. She was officially canned by the organization on Tuesday for a number of reasons, primary among them that she didn’t push the organization’s political agenda hard enough.
There were plenty of morbid jokes on Twitter, the best one coming from comedian and recently demonetized YouTuber Steven Crowder: “Planned Parenthood just aborted its CEO at 43 weeks.” (Wen had only been appointed to the position in September.)
However, there was a note of support from a surprising source: Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood clinic director whose defection from the organization and subsequent pro-life activity became the basis for the film “Unplanned.”
For those of you who hadn’t followed the saga, Wen announced her sudden departure in a Twitter post in which she said the decision was made by Planned Parenthood officials behind closed doors.
“I just learned that the @PPFA Board ended my employment at a secret meeting,” she tweeted late Tuesday afternoon. “We were engaged in good faith negotiations about my departure based on philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood. My statement to come shortly.”
I just learned that the @PPFA Board ended my employment at a secret meeting. We were engaged in good faith negotiations about my departure based on philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood. My statement to come shortly.
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) July 16, 2019
Johnson, of course, had worked with Planned Parenthood for some time before having her eyes opened to the reality of abortion. Her story now forms the backbone of “Unplanned,” the surprise Christian film hit that’s created no small amount of controversy.
On Twitter, Johnson told Wen she was familiar with the process and offered her sympathy.
Leana, I know exactly how Planned Parenthood works and know ALL about their secret meetings. If you ever want to talk about your experience (in complete confidence), I’m here. I will help in any way I can through your transition. ❤️
— Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) July 16, 2019
“Leana, I know exactly how Planned Parenthood works and know ALL about their secret meetings,” Johnson wrote. “If you ever want to talk about your experience (in complete confidence), I’m here. I will help in any way I can through your transition.”
Most of the responses on Twitter were positive.
Thank you for offering support. I hope she takes it and frees her soul. God bless you Abby. ?❤️
— Chaska (@ChaskaDaisy) July 17, 2019
@AbbyJohnson you are always such a class act. Always walking the walk. We need more people like you in the world.
— ShortStuff (@Julies_Mom) July 16, 2019
Abby, you are amazing! ❤️
— Lindseyy (@lindseyyyleanne) July 17, 2019
There were plenty of negative tweets, too — a large number of which I can’t actually embed here due to the language which, what a surprise.
One user pointed out that there would be a non-disclosure agreement, something that Johnson responded to.
Doesn’t mean she can’t talk to me privately. As long as she doesn’t disclose anything publicly, she would be fine. We deal with NDAs at our ministry all the time.
— Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) July 16, 2019
Now, would Wen talk to Johnson? Hard to say.
Wen’s statement upon leaving made it clear she still agreed with Planned Parenthood’s mission, just that she was kicked out because she wanted to focus on the health care element of the group’s mission as opposed to the political one.
Wen said in her statement that she felt “the best way to protect abortion care is to be clear that it is not a political issue but a health care one, and that we can expand support for reproductive rights by finding common ground with the large majority of Americans who understand reproductive health care as the fundamental health care that it is.
“I am leaving because the new Board Chairs and I have philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood.”
My statement stepping down as President/CEO of @PPFA and President of @PPAct. pic.twitter.com/WJ3EBgJIAy
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) July 16, 2019
However, Johnson put the offer out there, which is critical.
After all, the important thing is to talk with our ideological opponents, even if we cannot convert them. That’s what we do in a civil society.
Both individuals, it seems, have experience with how Planned Parenthood operates behind closed doors. That’s a shared experience that could open some doors.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
