Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas

Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas (PPSA&SCT) was founded in 1939 under the leadership of its first president, Mollie Bennett Lupe. Originally called the Maternal Health Center of San Antonio, the organization formally changed its name to Planned Parenthood Center of San Antonio in 1947, then Planned Parenthood of San Antonio in 1986. In 1989 Planned Parenthood of San Antonio merged with Planned Parenthood of Chaparral Country (including the cities of Kingsville, Alice and Falfurrias in Texas), and changed their name to Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas. The purpose of the organization is to support the goals of Planned Parenthood Federation of America by offering to the community affordable and accessible reproductive health care, family planning services, and other types of health services according to particular need and resources available, and education on human sexuality issues.

The first clinic was located at the corner of Water and Goliad streets. Three hundred fifty-four women received birth control services from the clinic during its first year of operation. By 1941 the staff had outgrown this facility, and the clinic was moved to 1130 West Houston Street. The West Houston location served the staff's needs until 1956 when they moved to their first modern facility at 312 North Presa. The Center received its first federal grant in 1967, and expanded to include one central clinic and twelve smaller branches located in low-income areas. In 1984 the organization opened its current administrative offices, along with its first self-sustaining clinic (supported only through patient fees and private donations) at 104 Babcock Road.

The need for Planned Parenthood's services and outreach continued to grow as the rate of teenage births increased in the San Antonio area. Local media attention and increasing numbers of volunteer workers enhanced promotion of the organization. With the help of volunteers, the Peer Counselor program was initiated in the early 1980s, and proved very successful as an educational outreach tool in the elementary and high schools. In 1987, October was proclaimed National Family Sexuality Education Month in San Antonio.

During the month, various programs and seminars promoting positive sexual attitudes were presented by Planned Parenthood and other related community-based organizations. The following year The Texas Teens Project, a multimedia, statewide program designed to educate teens aged 11 through 14 on sexuality issues, was launched with the help of Planned Parenthood.

The decades following Planned Parenthood's formation were marked by success and continued challenges for the organization. In 1968 Planned Parenthood Center of San Antonio and the Southwest Foundation for Research and Education began a joint oral contraceptive study using local women subjects. The results of this study, released a few years later, stirred much controversy, particularly from the local Hispanic population. During the 1980's monies from federal and state grants were reduced through cutbacks. The decreased funding and the fight for what funding remained became a major problem for the organization. With the onslaught of the AIDS and HIV epidemic, it became necessary for Planned Parenthood to expand existing education and medical services. During the mid 1980s unprecedented national violence by anti-choice activists occurred in the form of clinic bombings and threats toward staff. Though San Antonio was spared any major acts of violence, there was increased protestor activity resulting in concern by Planned Parenthood staff.

Source: pamphlet, Planned Parenthood of San Antonio Fiftieth Anniversary Luncheon, May 2, 1989.

From the guide to the Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas Records MS 83., 1896- 2008, (University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections)