(The image of Margot Perot to the left is from the website of The Salvation Army.)The Republican-dominated legislature of Texas voted to defund Planned Parenthood of Texas a while back. This resulted in Texas women's health programs losing all of their federal funds (about 90% of all funding), and the closing of dozens of women's health clinics across the state.
The crazy part is that none of those clinics that closed were Planned Parenthood clinics -- the organization targeted by the GOP legislature. Planned Parenthood was hurt, but was able to keep going in the state. In other words, the GOP played to their base by trying to close Planned Parenthood, claiming they were just an abortion organization (even though that is only 3% of the services provided to women) -- and did nothing but close a bunch of clinics they weren't even targeting. But then politics has always been more important to Texas Republicans than reality -- and hurting poor women in the state has never been a concern.
Fortunately, not all Texans are as mean-spirited as the Republicans. Planned Parenthood of Texas has received a big boost from the Perot Foundation, founded by Ross Perot and his wife Margot. That Foundation has given Planned Parenthood of Texas a $1 million donation -- a donation that will assure that the organization can continue its mission of helping Texas women (especially poor women who have no other resource). In a written statement Margot Perot said:
“For nearly 100 years Planned Parenthood has helped to educate men and women regarding family planning and general family health. Our family has supported this nonprofit for many years because we are impressed with the work they do — providing birth control; scientifically based education; breast health exams; and basic, life-saving healthcare for women who cannot afford services otherwise.”
“We also recognize the need to further inform the public of the mission of this great organization and the need to support it at this critical time.”
