Former state senator Wendy Davis has joined Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (PPTV) as a senior advisor as the organization fights back against pro-life laws installed after Dobbs. The pro-abortion outfit announced Davis’ appointment on Tuesday, alongside that of two new co-executive directors: Drucilla Tigner and Shellie Hayes-McMahon.
Davis is perhaps best known for her 13-hour filibuster, during which she wore pink sneakers while protesting a pro-life bill in 2013. The bill not only passed, but Texas went on to pass some of the most pro-life laws in the nation. That included a law protecting preborn children from abortion after six weeks gestation, which Davis attempted to block with a lawsuit. That attempt ultimately failed when a federal judge dismissed her challenge last month.
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, wears pink athletic shoes as she begins a filibuster of SB 5 a bill that would tighten regulations on abortion providers in Texas, on the last day of the special session (Photo by Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images)
“An icon for reproductive freedom, Wendy’s historic filibuster spurred a generation of activists to join our movement,” a statement from PPTV read. “She is ready to lead the charge against anti-sexual and reproductive health policies in Texas.”
?PPTV is excited to announce Wendy Davis as Senior Advisor to the organization! A true Texan icon, @wendydavis brings valuable experience and is ready to continue the fight for sexual and reproductive health care rights in TX. Welcome to the Planned Parenthood family, Wendy. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KXExZKAZeD
— Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (@PPTXVotes) February 28, 2023
I am thrilled to join this talented team! We have a great deal of work ahead. But I know that, with each of you working alongside us, we can meet the challenge of making sure that Texans get the sexual and reproductive healthcare they need! @PPTV https://t.co/ojRvpNiRGg
— Wendy Davis (@wendydavis) February 28, 2023
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Texas put in place laws protecting preborn children from abortion except in cases of medical emergencies. Physicians like Dr. Kendra Kolb — along with many other doctors — have asserted that it’s false to say abortion is sometimes necessary to save a mother’s life.
According to the Texas Tribune, Davis said she could no longer “sit on the sidelines.”
“I’ve dedicated much of my life to pushing back against extremist attacks on our most fundamental rights,” she reportedly said in a statement. “I couldn’t sit on the sidelines while those same actors attempt to eradicate the crucial healthcare Planned Parenthood provides to patients across this state and this country each and every day.”
Based on statements in the Tribune, Planned Parenthood isn’t expecting to win any immediate legislative battles but is trying to build a “pipeline for future success in Texas.”
“Our organization is building the next generation of movement leaders by investing in programs for young people across the state,” Tigner said. “We are also investing in programs for supporters and volunteers who want to dedicate more of their time and effort into this work.”
Davis ran for governor and the U.S. House, but lost to Greg Abbott and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, respectively. In 2015, Mic published an interview in which Davis said that she aborted her daughter late in pregnancy “out of love.”
“I discovered that my daughter was suffering from an irreparable and non-life sustaining brain deformation or malformation, and it was one of the most heart-wrenching decisions I’ve ever had to make, and I made my decision out of love,” she said.
