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Pro-Lifers Smiling at Feldt's Departure from PPFA

by Bill Fancher and Jody Brown
January 31, 2005

(AgapePress) - Pro-life advocates are hoping the resignation of Gloria Feldt as head of Planned Parenthood Federation of America will be good news for the unborn. One of those pro-lifers says he is pleased to see Feldt's "reign of death" come to an end.

Gloria Feldt had been president of PPFA since 1996 when she resigned abruptly on Thursday (January 27). Her departure ended three decades of involvement with the federally-funded abortion provider. No reason was cited for her resignation -- but many pro-life leaders have found reason to celebrate. One of those is Jim Sedlak, executive director of American Life League's STOPP International.

"Her departure is good news," says Sedlak in a press statement. Why? Sedlak points out that Feldt's predecessor, Faye Wattleton, was in office for 14 years, during which time 1.32 million abortions occurred in PPFA facilities. But Feldt topped that number (1.37 million) in just eight years at the top spot.

The outgoing PPFA leader also turned the agency in a money-maker, says Sedlak. In 1996, abortions brought in almost $50 million, accounting for 27.6 percent of PPFA's clinic income. Abortion income rose to $104 million last year, says Sedlak, and accounted for more than 36 percent of clinic income. And under Feldt's guidance, Planned Parenthood launched many promotions that targeted teenagers.

While Feldt's departure offers no guarantee the number of PPFA-performed abortions will drop, Sedlak is hopeful. "Experience has shown us that Planned Parenthood's operations are greatly influenced by its president," he says. "We pray the Planned Parenthood will select a new president who values human live and is really concerned about true health care for all Americans."

[Photo compliments of Concerned Women for America]
Wendy Wright   
Like Sedlak, Concerned Women for America's Wendy Wright says she is glad to see Feldt step down from the PPFA leadership position.

"Under Gloria Feldt, Planned Parenthood took some of the most extreme positions on abortion and on services related to teenagers having sex," Wright says, adding her hope for a change in direction for PPFA. "We hope that Planned Parenthood will moderate its views to come to reflect what the majority of Americans want, which is some regulations and restrictions on abortion."

Wright notes that Feldt will now have some time to re-evaluate her position on the procedure that has claimed the lives of nearly 50 million unborn babies since 1973. "Now that Gloria Feldt is not bound to advocating these extreme positions, she'll be free to do a bit of soul-searching -- and can really evaluate where she stands before the Lord," she says.

One pro-life advocate with Family Research Council sees Feldt's resignation as the latest event in what she sees as a trend since Election Day 2004.

"My thoughts range from the resignation of Cheryl Jacques at the Human Rights Campaign [a major pro-homosexual lobby group] following the 'values voter' victories, and now Gloria Feldt," says FRC's Connie Mackey. "And we have Hillary Clinton revisiting abortion abstinence. It's very hard for one not to smile."

Mackey says the voters have sent a clear signal to those who push extreme anti-family values that their ideals do not represent the American public.

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