Golden anniversary of the pill
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women everywhere could use to plan their families on their own terms.

In America in 2010, half of all pregnancies are still unplanned, and the rate is highest among teens. Ensuring affordable contraception is one of the most crucial investments we can make for women, so they can realize their hopes for themselves and their families when it comes to family life, career, education and so much more.

It is essential that affordable contraception finally be available to every woman in Illinois, regardless of what kind of insurance she has or her ability to pay. Fortunately, the recently passed federal health care reform law allows us to accomplish this, so long as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services covers quality contraception as part of the law’s expansion of preventive care.

For those like my mother who remember what it was like before the pill was approved, this is an anniversary that inspires rededication to a simple goal — helping women plan their family lives. Our daughters, sisters, coworkers and friends need us to not simply be satisfied with the progress we have made over the past 50 years. They need us to engage them in the effort to bring affordable contraception to all women — so that they, in turn, can help make the 100th anniversary of the pill even more momentous.

To become involved with Planned Parenthood of Illinois, please visit www.ppiaction.org. Carole Brite is interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. She served as treasurer on the Planned Parenthood of Illinois board of directors for 10 years before joining PPIL as a full-time staff member in 2009.