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History

Our History



From its genesis in 1935, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has been a leader in providing reproductive health care, birth control, education, and the advocacy to help make all of this possible.

While PPWI has delivered these services under different names and at various locations, our mission has remained essentially consistent. In fact, we have recommitted to reestablishing our important connections with our original supports, including religious communities and other private and government health care providers, as well as revitalizing our educational outreach programs statewide.

Today's Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin--physically present in 31 health centers across Wisconsin, politically instrumental in protecting access, and educationally reemerging--is built on the bedrock of the time and talents of thousands of visionary volunteers and professional staff over the last 70 years.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
1935Milwaukee's first birth control health center, the Maternal Health Center opens. (Now Planned Parenthood)
1949The Milwaukee health center becomes an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
1960The FDA approves sale of contraceptives. PPW starts one-year research study of oral contraceptives.
1964Margaret Miller starts as executive director..a new era begins! First new neighborhood health center opens. The Margaret Miller Award is the highest volunteer recognition.
1965The U.S. Supreme Court rules to allow married couples access to contraceptives.
1970The U.S. Congress passes Family Planning and Populations Act, the turning point for increased federal funding. President Nixon supports the act.
1973Roe v. Wade. Four new health centers (then called chapters) are established across Wisconsin.
1974Dr. Roy Holly is appointed Medical Director. The Roy Holly Award now recognizes outstanding PPW health center staff.
1975Wisconsin repeals Comstock Law, allowing sale of contraceptives to unmarried persons (the last state in the country to do so).
1978Planned Parenthood receives Title X statewide family planning grant.
1982Health centers open at Capitol Court and Mitchell Street in Milwaukee. Minority task forces from the Hispanic and African communities help make this possible.
1983First self-sustaining health center opens in Milwaukee.
1984Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin now has 30 health center sites statewide.
1993"Gag Rule" is removed by President Clinton. "Freedom of Access" to health center entrances is passed by federal law.
2001 and beyondJim Stewart is named as President and CEO. Thirty-one health centers provide care to over 66,000 patients and see 182,918 patient visits. Advocacy programs engage over 35,000 supporters and the Education staff provide educational programming to over 14,000 patrons.
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