1916
First birth control clinic in America opened by Margaret Sanger in Brooklyn, New York. All founders arrested and indicted under the Comstock Law.
1920
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified - women win the right to vote.
1921
The first American Birth Control Conference held in NYC results in founding of American Birth Control League.
1925
Noah Slee, Margaret Sanger's second husband, finances first U.S. manufacture of diaphragms.
1926
First birth control league in Pennsylvania is launched in Luzerne County.
1927
Birth control services launched in Berks County, housed in Reading’s Community General Hospital
1930
Hannah Feller establishes and operates the Maternal Health Center out of the basement of a house located on Cameron Street, Harrisburg. She single-handedly secures its funding by personally soliciting local businessmen. Center is staffed exclusively by unpaid volunteers.
1932
First Northampton County birth control clinic opens in Easton
1932
First birth control patients in Luzerne County seen by local physician but paid for by local birth control league
1932
Maternal Health Center founded in Lancaster. Operates in Dr. Marvel S. Kirk’s office.
1934
Luzerne County’s first birth control clinic opens in Wilkes-Barre’s Kirby Health Center
1935
Lackawanna County’s first birth control clinic opened in Waverly.
1936
The first family planning clinic in Monroe County opens in basement of the Stroudsburg jail
1937
Lackawanna County’s second birth control clinic opened in Peckville.
1938
Lackawanna County’s third birth control clinic opened in Moosic. The county’s Peckville clinic closed later that year.
1942
The National Birth Control League becomes Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
1948
Maternal Health Center opens its own office on Orange Street in Lancaster. This was necessary as Dr. Kirk could no longer continue as the sole clinician at Maternal Health Center and maintain her own medical practice.
1962
Harrisburg’s Maternal Health Center accepted as a member of the National Planned Parenthood Federation under the leadership of James H. King, Esq. Still staffed by volunteers, Harrisburg Hospital donates its facilities for weekly clinics.
1964
Harrisburg’s Maternal Health Center opens its own clinic, still staffed by unpaid volunteers. Financial support comes from then Board President, James H. King, Esq. and his successor, Dr. Walter Kirker and his wife, Jeanne.
1972
Harrisburg’s Maternal Health Center reorganizes as a federally-funded Title X agency under the name Tri-County Family Planning Services. Now staffed by paid employees.
1972
Planned Parenthood of Lancaster County purchases its first building and opens a center on 37 South Lime Street, Lancaster.
1975
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church temporarily houses Lackawanna County family planning clinic after a fire. Ten months later the center moves into its new location in the Bank Towers Building and a grant from the Scranton Area Foundation allows the establishment of The Family Life Education Center for developing sexuality education in the community.
1976
Northampton County’s second family planning center opens on Lehigh University campus
1978
Lehigh County’s first family planning center opens on 13th Street in Allentown.
1980
STD Program established in Harrisburg.
1981
Luzerne County’s second family planning center opens in Hazleton.
1982 Kate Michelman, later the national leader of NARAL, appointed CEO of Tri-County Family Planning Services.
1983
Planned Parenthood of Northampton County and Planned Parenthood Association of Lehigh County merge to become Planned Parenthood of the Lehigh Valley.
1985
Elephants Trunk Consignment Shop opens in Emmaus to help raise funds for Planned Parenthood
1985
Lancaster County Planned Parenthood launches first capital campaign, resulting in construction of a new, expanded facility on 31 South Lime Street, Lancaster. STD Program is established in Lancaster.
1985
Planned Parenthood of Lackawanna & Wyoming County and Planned Parenthood of Luzerne County merge to become Planned Parenthood of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
1986
Boards of directors of all Planned Parenthood affiliates throughout northeast PA meet to explore merging into one organization
1987
Official launch of Planned Parenthood of North East PA as board holds its first meeting. Planned Parenthood of North East PA was created through the merger of four existing affiliates: Planned Parenthood of Berks County, Planned Parenthood of the Lehigh Valley, Monroe County Planned Parenthood, and Planned Parenthood of Northeastern PA.
1987
Tri-County Family Planning Services works with the Department of Health in studying HIV infection. Services expand to include HIV testing and counseling.
1989
HIV testing and counseling launches at clinics throughout northeast PA
1989
Lancaster Planned Parenthood opens 31 South Lime Street Clinic.
1989
Planned Parenthood Federation of America establishes the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, a separate 501(c)(4) organization, for lobbying to preserve the right to reproductive choice.
1990
Tri-County Family Planning Services becomes Planned Parenthood of the Capital Region in May.
1993
Planned Parenthood of Lancaster County suffers major arson attack. Services are never interrupted, but building reconstruction lasts six months.
1995
Planned Parenthood of the Capital Region’s care expands to include colposcopy services to treat abnormal Pap tests. Lancaster began offering this service in 1994.
1995
Planned Parenthood of Lancaster County merges with Planned Parenthood of the Capital Region to form Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley with the administrative offices located in Harrisburg. Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley awarded the Winston E. Forrest, Jr. Award for excellence in fundraising at the PPFA Annual Conference in New York City.
1996
Bethlehem Health Center relocates to the grounds of St. Luke’s Bethlehem.
1997
Reading Health Center completely remodeled
1998
Reading Health Center starts first trimester abortions
1998
PPSV begins protracted legal battle to make first trimester abortions available in Lancaster County.
1998
Combined all administrative offices to Trexlertown
1999
Prenatal Services launched in Allentown
1999
Emergency Contraception offered.
2000
Launch of PPNEP’s advocacy organization: Planned Parenthood Advocates of NEPA
2001
Stopped provision of prenatal services in Allentown
2001
PPNEP endowment fund established
2002
Moved and expanded Allentown Medical Center to 2901 Hamilton Blvd.
2002
Dedication of Cornelia P. Conyngham Institute for Reproductive Health & Freedom in Wilkes-Barre
2004
Bethlehem Medical Center relocates to Elizabeth Street
2006
Planned Parenthood Federation of America appoints new head: Cecile Richards, political activist and daughter of Texas Governor Anne Richards.
2007
Allentown Medical Center relocates from the outskirts of Allentown to downtown Allentown on Ninth Street.
2008
Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley and Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania merge to become Planned Parenthood of Northeast and Mid-Penn.
2012
Planned Parenthood of Northeast and Mid-Penn and Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County merge to become Planned Parenthood of Northeast, Mid-Penn & Bucks County.
