These days it seems as if people fall into opposing camps on many issues. Abortion is certainly one of the most divisive issues in our society.
But people can change their minds on issues, even polarizing ones like abortion.
Someone who exemplifies the possibility of change is Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood Clinic director. Johnson — whom I’ve heard speak — is now a powerful advocate for the pro-life side of the spectrum.
Power of conversion
Johnson told an audience at Georgetown University on April 21 that no one is beyond conversion. “I’m standing in front of you today as a testament to the power of conversion. No one is beyond the power of conversion, because no one is beyond the power of Christ.”
Johnson spoke to a packed room just hours after Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards delivered a controversial lecture at the Jesuit-run university. Johnson said, “I have faith that one day it won’t be me standing here and speaking and defending the sanctity of life. I believe that one day it will be Cecile Richards.”
Assisted at ultrasound abortion
Johnson worked at Planned Parenthood for eight years. She left the industry after assisting with an ultrasound abortion, reported an article on www.lifesitenews.com
Assisting with that abortion was a turning point in her life. “I remember watching . . . the suction tube going into the uterus and I could see it getting closer and closer to the side of this 13-week-old baby and when it touched his side, he jumped. And he began flailing his arms and legs as if he was trying to move away from that abortion instrument, but there was nowhere to go,” said Johnson.
“The worst part was that when I had the opportunity to intervene, to do something, I just stood there and I did nothing. I remember wanting to yell out, ‘Stop! You’re hurting him!’ I remember wanting to sit this woman up and to say, ‘Look, look what’s happening to your baby!’ But I didn’t.”
Leaving the industry
After she left the abortion industry, three years ago Johnson started an organization called And Then There Were None, which helps abortion workers leave the industry. She thought the organization would be a success if 10 workers left. In three years, 218 abortion workers have quit.
Johnson encouraged the students at the Georgetown event to treat Planned Parenthood workers and volunteers with kindness and use encounters with them to show them the truth.
She also encouraged the students to persevere in prayer. She said prayers offered for her by pro-life advocates helped her make the decision to leave Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood services
Although Planned Parenthood insists it provides women’s health services, abortion has been its most lucrative service. The organization provided 323,999 abortions in 2014, according to its annual reports.
In Madison, Pro-Life Wisconsin has reported from reliable sources that the Madison East Planned Parenthood Clinic is planning to transition from its mix of contraceptive and abortion services to offering abortion services exclusively. The change is expected to occur within the next two months.
Let’s pray that other Planned Parenthood workers will be converted to the pro-life side as Abby Johnson was.