Politics & Education With Abby Johnson

Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood clinic director of 8 years, now owns a non-profit called And Then There Were None. This organization focuses on removing employees who are unhappy with working at Planned Parenthood out of that career and into a new one. Johnson has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts in counseling from Sam Houston State University.

Johnson left Planned Parenthood after she witnessed an ultra-sound guided abortion, changing her view on reproductive rights. Ever since Johnson has been traveling around the country sharing her story and talking to groups of people about her experiences.

Q: What is a common issue today facing young adults who want to get politically involved?

A: One of the most common issues that young adults face today when it comes to getting involved in political work is that it has turned into us vs them mentality, a popularity war, and a battle of gimmicks. If you go against the grain and voice your own political opinion, then you are risking being ousted from your peer group, harassed, and bullied into silence. This has to stop, and we must return to a mature and civil conversation.

Q: How do you recommend students overcome these challenges?

A: Conversation geared toward conversion. We need to put down our arguments and not return evil for evil. Whether the discussion is about abortion, gun control, party lines, presidency, whatever, hear the person, affirm their hurt, offer resources, and remind them that it’s okay if you don’t agree on everything, you still value them and appreciate hearing their side. Create dialogue, not more division. We can debate any time of day, but when we are given a unique opportunity to create trust and [a] relationship, just drop the back and forth and be present with this human being in front of you and show them respect as a person, prayerfully they will reciprocate that when they see that you do not have verbal boxing gloves on.

Q: What importance does education hold in your career path?

A: Education is very important to me, yet I recognize that it is not the education but what we do with it that makes or breaks our character. There are many political leaders who have graduated at the top of their class with honors yet deny the science of what makes a baby human, and there are people we will interact within this world that come from poverty and who never finished any type of formal education. They will do work that humbles and wows us. With that, having a solid education is always in everyone’s best interest, and those with formal education are often taken more seriously in society, so it can’t hurt to prioritize our educational goals. I am just shy of 40 and working on my doctorate, so I’m living that example! If ever we stop learning, we set ourselves up for failure!

Q: Who was your biggest inspiration when choosing your field of work? Past or present.

A: For my present field of work I would have to say that my biggest inspiration would be my children because I want so desperately for them to live in a world where life is valued. Also, the women who have been harmed by the industry and all the lives that have been lost are a huge inspiration and motivation for me to put my all into this work. They deserve our very best advocacy and efforts.

Q: What is an issue facing young adults who want to get involved in your current line of work? How do you recommend young adults overcome these challenges?

A: Funding is a big issue. A large percentage of the work in the pro-life movement is volunteer-based. Some people cannot afford to quit their day job, and their schedules don’t allow a lot of flexibility. There are amazing young people who would be great hires if only the funding allowed for that. Another thing they face is that there are a lot of people in this movement who don’t want fresh ideas, they (the pro-life industry) like the way they do things. It’s how they (the pro-life industry) have always done them. Young people often come in with a fresh set of eyes and offer change and suggestions, and they can be dropped fairly fast by those who don’t want change. I think we need both the wisdom of the older generation and the freshness and reliability of the younger generation to succeed.

Q: What is something that you wish you knew before entering your current field of work?

A: Honestly, I’m kind of thankful that I didn’t know what I do now about the pro-life movement. There are so many wonderful things happening but there are also some difficult things as well. Being blindsided has had its challenges but if I knew, I may have hesitated or walked the other way. I’m here, I’m working hard around the clock, and that’s all that matters now.