Founded in 1939 as the Maternal Health Center, Planned Parenthood South Texas has grown to become the region's largest family planning organization.
Below is a timeline of our history:
- Under the leadership of Mollie Bennett Lupe, a group of San Antonio women established the Maternal Health Center in a small adobe house at the corner of Water and Goliad Streets.
- The Maternal Health Center is incorporated as Planned Parenthood Center of San Antonio (PPCSA).Diaphragms are available to clients requesting a reliable birth control method.
- New technology and a growing industrialized nation cause more couples to consider limiting the size of their families.
- PPCSA flourishes with the advent of oral contraceptives and receives its first federal grant, allowing the agency to expand from one health care center to a central site with 12 satellite centers.
- The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to legalize abortion in Roe v. Wade revolutionizes freedom of reproductive choice for women across the country.
- PPCSA employs nurse practitioners for the first time, a cost-effective measure to provide services to more clients.
- PPCSA expands to four independent health care centers subsidized by public funds. The purchase of the Babcock building allows PPCSA to open its first self-sustaining clinic, supported through client fees and private donations.
- PPCSA's name is changed to Planned Parenthood of San Antonio (PPSA).
- PPSA adds screening services for HIV and treatment for chlamydia.
- In 1989, PPSA opens its second self-sustaining health care center in northwest San Antonio.
- Planned Parenthood opens another self-sustaining center in northeast San Antonio.
- Two new birth control options are offered to Planned Parenthood patients: the Norplant device prevents pregnancy for five years, and the Depo-Provera injection prevents pregnancy for three months.
- Planned Parenthood adds first-trimester abortion care services in San Antonio.
- Opened our newest health center on Marbach Road in 2005.
- Expanded gynecological services to include follow-up and treatment of abnormal Pap tests to prevent the advancement of cervical cancer.
- In 2010, The Planned Parenthood Trust of San Antonio and South Central Texas consolidates with its sister affiliate, the Planned Parenthood Association of Cameron and Willacy Counties. Service Delivery area now includes: San Antonio,Harlingen and Brownsville.
- In 2011, The Planned Parenthood Trust of San Antonio and South Central Texas changes its name to the Planned Parenthood Trust of South Texas to reflect its new geographic scope.
- On January 1, 2014 the Planned Parenthood Trust of South Texas changes its name is Planned Parenthood South Texas.