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SCREEN CAPTURE / MSNBC
Dr. Leana Wen, the first Asian American head of Planned Parenthood, was ousted by its board. |
In a cryptic tweet that raised more questions, Dr. Leana Wen resigned as President of Planned Parenthood after less than a year in that position.
"I am leaving because the new Board Chairs and I have philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood," Wen wrote on Twitter today (July 16).
Wen, the first Asian American to lead the national organization, said the decision was made by Planned Parenthood's board of directors in a "secret meeting."
Following is Wen's tweet:
Minutes prior to her formal statement, Wen revealed that she was ousted from her position and the decision was made in a "secret meeting" of the Planned Parenthood board
Wen's short time at Planned Parenthood was tumultuous, said three sources familiar with the situation who cited leadership and management issues according to CBS News.
Her leadership style led to high ranking staff leaving the organization, said a HuffPost source.
That same source claimed a leadership coach had to be brought in but the lessons didn't stick, apparently.
In a letter to staff, sent out later in the afternoon, Wen alluded again to the "philosophical differences," that may have led to her dismissal. She wanted to emphasize the concept that abortion as a healthcare issue, not a political isssue. The board, she wrote, thought the advocacy for abortion rights should take priority during this time when the issue is under attack.
The change in leadership is occurring during a time when the organization and abortion rights have come under heavy attack from the Trump administration and conservative states seeking to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that women have the right to make decisions about their health, including abortion.
So far this year, states across the country have passed more than 300 pieces of anti-abortion access legislation, more than any other year, according to data compiled by the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion rights research organization.
The change in leadership is occurring during a time when the organization and abortion rights have come under heavy attack from the Trump administration and conservative states seeking to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that women have the right to make decisions about their health, including abortion.
So far this year, states across the country have passed more than 300 pieces of anti-abortion access legislation, more than any other year, according to data compiled by the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion rights research organization.
In a press release, Planned Parenthood gave no reason for Wen's departure; just a simple "thank you" and "best wishes:" "We thank Dr. Leana Wen for her service to Planned Parenthood in such a pivotal time and extend our best wishes for her continued success."
The organization announced that in the interim, Alexis McGill Johnson has been named Acting President and CEO of PPFA and Acting President of PPAF, effective immediately. The search for Wen's replacement will begin early next year.
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