Business Leaders Speak Out Against Restrictions on Abortion, Reproductive Health Care
For Immediate Release: June 10, 2019
CEOs from more than 180 companies, whose workforce totals over 100,000 employees, sign national ad; declare collective commitment to reproductive care
New York, NY — With a full-page ad in The New York Times, today, leaders from more than 180 companies made a strong show of support for reproductive health — including access to safe and legal abortion. Executives from a range of industries — including financial services, retail, technology and utilities — with a combined workforce of more than 100,000, signed on to "Don't Ban Equality." The statement is supported by CEOs from Bloomberg L.P., Square, Zoom, Atlantic Records, Yelp, Warby Parker, H&M U.S., Amalgamated Bank, Endeavor, Godfrey Dadich, Eileen Fisher, Glossier, Postmates, Blavity, and more. Together, they affirm that restrictions on access to abortion and other forms of reproductive care services threaten the health and economic stability of their employees and customers — making it bad for business.
National organizations that protect and expand access to reproductive health care, including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, have seen a strong uptick in companies wanting to respond to recent attacks on reproductive health and rights. This follows an alarming trend of abortion bans passing in states across the country, which has sparked mass grassroots outrage. As a result, these organizations have helped organize businesses with headquarters in 17 states to declare that restricting reproductive rights, including access to abortion, goes against the values of their companies and hinders efforts to promote equality in the workplace, putting their businesses, communities and the U.S. economy at risk.
Statement From Dr. Leana Wen, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
We are grateful and inspired to have so many business leaders standing with us proudly and publicly to oppose these dangerous, unprecedented attacks — raising the alarm about the chilling effect on their employees and the communities where they do business. People across the country are outraged — politicians have no place in our personal health decisions. And now more than ever, we must stand together to declare that reproductive health care, including abortion care, is necessary for all people to live healthy, successful lives.
Statement from Ilyse Hogue, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America:
The vast majority of Americans, 7 in 10, believe that abortion should be legal — and understand that access to reproductive healthcare is fundamentally linked to economic security and professional opportunity. NARAL applauds the business leaders signing the #DontBanEquality letter for taking a stand on behalf of their employees, customers, and communities, and affirming the mainstream view that women deserve to be able to make private, personal medical decisions without politicians interfering. As anti-choice politicians are escalating attacks on these fundamental freedoms, we encourage the entire business community to join us in protecting access to reproductive health care in the critical months and years to come.
Statement from Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, ACLU:
The ACLU is proud to stand with these business leaders who are saying loudly and clearly – access to reproductive health care, including abortion, is essential for their employees’ equality in the workplace and their lives. Their statement today shows that the business community won’t sit on the sidelines while politicians continue to try to take away our reproductive rights. Together with the ACLU and its over 3 million members, activists and supporters, they have shown their commitment to speaking up and fighting back.
Statement from Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:
A woman’s ability to access reproductive health care is critical to her autonomy, economic success, health, human rights, and empowerment in the workplace. Reproductive health care is a human right for all, no matter who you are, where you live, or your profession. When a woman’s reproductive rights and freedoms are under attack, the health and well-being of our society is in jeopardy. It is critical we join together as advocates, business leaders, and consumers to make clear how important access to reproductive healthcare is to our society as a whole.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates and chapters are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all. For more than 50 years, NARAL has worked to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. Since 1969, NARAL has made history, grown to over 2.3 million members, and met the moments that have defined this fight with action, power and freedom. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as "one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America."
For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, we take up the toughest civil liberties fights. Beyond one person, party, or side — we the people dare to create a more perfect union. Learn more at aclu.org.
The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global nonprofit working to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world. We engage in strategic litigation, national and international advocacy, and partnership-building to build strong frameworks for ensuring that every woman can participate as an equal member of society with dignity.