NEWS
Pamela Pearson Named Chair of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Board of Directors
Civic leader and Davidson resident, Pamela Pearson, was recently named chair of the Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) board of directors. Her term will begin in July 2018.
Pearson, a longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood, has a rich history of volunteerism and leadership with the nonprofit, serving on the PPSAT board of directors, executive committee, chairing the compliance committee, and serving on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic.
Growing up in a progressive home, Pearson says her parents sat her down at an appropriate age and discussed sexual health, personal responsibility, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy. Even today, her mother, who has moved to Davidson, is still an activist who is vitally interested in the welfare of others. Pearson says that she is proud to have grown up with parents who set such an example for her.When she reached college age, Pearson accompanied friends to Planned Parenthood to receive nonjudgmental, compassionate healthcare. “I’ve always valued Planned Parenthood for providing accurate, complete information and high-quality healthcare,” she says. “PPSAT provides a broad array of critical services and education throughout the region and is a provider that patients trust. It’s an honor to be able to lead the PPSAT board at this time.”
Pearson joined the Planned Parenthood Health Systems (PPHS) board of directors in 2012 and served on the committee that oversaw the 2015 merger of PPHS with Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina to become Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Pearson is senior attorney at a financial services company. She is member of Women Executives, a professional women’s organization based in Charlotte. She is also a board member of the group’s philanthropic arm, Women Executives for Community Service, which provides scholarships, mentoring, and other support for non-traditional women students at five area Charlotte colleges and universities. She is active in voter registration efforts and supports the campaigns of various local candidates.
The Charlotte health center is one of 14 PPSAT locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia that offers a broad array of basic health services to thousands of men and woman. Services include family planning, education, breast cancer screenings, transgender health services, STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection), education, and testing.
Today, America has the lowest rate of unintended pregnancies and abortions in the country’s history and Pearson believes that Planned Parenthood is central to that success. “In a lifetime, one in five women will visit a Planned Parenthood facility. Over 70 percent of Americans believe in and support the work of Planned Parenthood.”
Pearson believes that women have the ability and right to make their own decisions about their health. “No one knows better than the woman herself about her individual situation, when she learns that she is pregnant. No one else can truly know her circumstances. We need to trust women and allow them to seek advice from people of their choice, such as the faith community, family, physicians, and often, Planned Parenthood, to help them in making the decision that works best for them.”
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From Planned Parenthood: For a century, Planned Parenthood® has been one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood health centers provide contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and lifesaving cancer screenings to millions of people in the U.S. With a presence in all 50 states and Washington, DC, Planned Parenthood has 56 affiliates, which operate more than 600 health centers. Globally, Planned Parenthood supports local partners in 12 focus countries, reaching over 1.5 million individuals with reproductive health information and services. Women, men, and young people from every community and income level view Planned Parenthood as their first-choice provider of care. For more information, visit their website.
Marguerite Williams
Marguerite (Margo) Williams is a novelist ("Madame President"), editor, and business owner of A Way With Words. A 16-year member of the Davidson Town Board, she has lived in Davidson since 1977. Visit her at her website.