Patsy is the face and voice of?Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, proudly advocating for reproductive freedom for men and women alike. She is a mother, a grandmother, a cancer survivor, a businesswoman, an activist and an all-around amazing individual. Clever and?intelligent, witty and dynamic ? Patsy is moxie.
Without further ado, we give you our Woman of the Week: Patsy Montgomery.
What inspired you to work with Planned Parenthood and for women?s?reproductive rights?
I had spent most of the 1980s working as a Children?s Advocate with the?local Rape Counseling Center. After being a stay-at-home mom for a?couple of years, I learned that Planned Parenthood was hiring a part-time?educator. I was impressed with their mission and focus on preventive?health care. I have worked here for more than 21 years and now do public?policy work to protect access to health care for women and their families. It is estimated that 1 in 5 women nationally and 1 in 4?throughout California depend on Planned Parenthood for their only access to health care. When people learn where I work, women usually say ?Thank you ? Planned Parenthood was there for me when I lost my health insurance and needed birth control ?? or ?Planned Parenthood saved my life by discovering my breast lump ?? They always appreciate that we?re here, no matter what.
Where do you find inspiration in general?
Marianne Williamson has a book titled Illuminata, A Return to Prayer that I use to center myself for the day ahead. In 2004 I came close to dying from chemotherapy treatments for stage 3 colon cancer. The prayers help me to focus on the positive no matter what challenges I face. My?other inspiration is my mentor, the iconic Dolores Huerta. She is 82-years old, mother to 11 children, and continues to fight for equality and against injustices wherever they present themselves.
You clearly have moxie. Where does that come from?
Having strong women in my life and a husband who never held me back, even when we disagreed. I have always been encouraged to speak up for what I think is the right thing, even when people I love and care about disagree with me. My late husband was a moderate Republican and I became?a Democrat in 1990 and found my feminist voice. Our three children grew up hearing lively and passionate debates about issues, learning you can respectfully disagree, but if you want to change the status quo, you have to organize and vote.
What?s the best part of your day?
Waking up ? seriously, when you have come as close to dying as I did in 2004 you learn to appreciate the gift of each and every day. To top it off I get to walk to my office, wave hello to my neighbors, work for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, and actively do something positive to protect and expand access to health care in California and around the country.
Some have likened this presidential campaign season a ?War on Women.? Do you agree?
Absolutely. When Congress took an extreme, hard right turn attacking both Planned Parenthood and birth control as a preventive health measure while protecting access to Viagra, it really awakened women, especially young women, to the importance of paying attention to who is running for office and their position on issues. I?m amazed that in 2012 we are having to fight to protect equal access to birth control, breast health services and pap smears. Voting age women make up approximately 53% of the United States and they are becoming more informed every day about what is at stake and how their vote will impact their future and that of their family.
How do you unwind from a tough day at work?
Going for a walk in the Tower District with my daughter Sarah, infant grandson Arda, and rescue dog Murphy Pedro Montgomery. We share a home and the joy of seeing my grandson every day is a blessing that I fully appreciate.
Which would you rather have right now: Chocolate or a cocktail?
Green & Black?s organic dark chocolate ? hands down.
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