Fighting Back for Texas Women’s Health

By Yvonne Gutierrez, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes

I learned early, growing up in San Antonio: things don’t come easy here in Texas. We’re a big state, with a lot of people who need basic care. I’ve dedicated 10 years to making sure Texan women can take care of themselves, plan their families, and build their future.

So I know it won’t be easy to fight back against the politicians who have shut down health centers across Texas and turned back the clock on our fundamental rights. I know it’s going to take courage, dedication, and hard work to reverse the out-of-touch and just plain dangerous policies that have done so much damage. I know that we’re in the fight of our lives here.

And I know one more thing: we can win. It starts by spreading the word about exactly what’s at stake.

This isn’t just about the election — it’s about standing up for ourselves and our families. It’s about showing the politicians who have targeted women’s health and hurt Texas women and families that we won’t back down.

Their agenda has already caused so much damage, and women have paid the price. Years of these policies have caused numerous abortion providers to close, leaving women without meaningful access to abortion in vast parts of the state, such as the Rio Grande Valley. More than 70 family planning health centers have closed or stopped providing family planning services.

Thousands of women lost access to health care after the state banned Planned Parenthood from the Texas Women’s Health Program — this is on top of 155,000 women who lost access to care due to the legislature’s cruel and dangerous budget cuts.

All across Texas, women are just flat-out going without care.

I’m making a personal commitment, right now, to do whatever I can to mobilize my fellow Texans to protect women’s health and restore women’s rights. Will you join me?

The first step is simple: tell your friends about what’s at stake and what you’re fighting for. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll count on you to support women’s rights with your voice and your courage. The political and advocacy organizations of Planned Parenthood will call on you to make phone calls and knock on doors to get out the vote. And every step of the way, we’ll rely on you to make a difference, just as you always have.

This is Texas — it’s not going to be easy. But the only alternative we have is to allow our sisters, mothers, and daughters to continue to be denied access to basic care. We can fight for our rights now, or let them keep slipping away. I know what I choose. How about you?

Thanks for joining us at this critical time — I’m glad we have you with us.