Abby Johnson Joins Americans United for Life, Directing New Efforts to Protect Life

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest announced Thursday that former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson is joining AUL's premier government affairs team as Senior Policy Advisor. Immediately after coming on board, Johnson headed to Capitol Hill, meeting privately with office holders.

"No one understands better than Abby how intertwined abortion policy and government funding have become," said Dr. Yoest. "Abby's expertise and insight complements our legal track record of defending life in law. She will be an integral part of our work to expose and de-fund the abortion industry."

A well-known spokeswoman and media commentator for life today, Abby Johnson spent eight years working with Planned Parenthood before a gruesome ultra-sound guided abortion in 2009 drove home the point to her that abortion ends a life. She described her change of heart, and subsequent complete change of career, in her nationally best-selling book, Unplanned, that chronicles her experiences within Planned Parenthood as well as her dramatic exit.

"Americans United for Life's impeccable reputation for legal and public policy achievement makes joining their efforts the logical next step," said Ms. Johnson. "I know first-hand how abortion is pushed and funded in the abortion industry. And I believe that the sound policy that AUL advances creates pro-life victories." 

Ms. Johnson's knowledge of the inside workings of Planned Parenthood have made her an ideal choice as a witness before various legislative bodies about the kinds of policies, both funding and operational, that drive the abortion industry. AUL's Vice President of Government Affairs Dan McConchie said he has witnessed how Ms. Johnson's presence "has changed the national debate."

"When Abby testifies about the inner workings of the abortion industry, legislators listen," said McConchie. "Already AUL is at work on a number of fronts based on her insights into how abortion is advanced as a matter of policy and funding."

For more information or interviews with Ms. Johnson, contact AUL's media office at [email protected].

SOURCE Americans United for Life