Gloria Feldt
The debate over reproductive rights has raged in America almost since the nation’s founding. Things got particularly ugly in the early 1900’s when Margaret Sanger came on the scene. She was arrested several times for trying to educate women about birth control. But she didn’t allow her stints in jail to stop her; Sanger founded Planned Parenthood of America. The controversial organization that’s devoted to educating women about reproductive health and choices.
The Alabama chapter of Planned Parenthood began in Birmingham in 1930. It now provides services to women in other parts of the state as well as Mississippi. This is its 75th year in operation and a big name came to town to help celebrate the anniversary.
Gloria Feldt spent almost nine years as president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. During her tenure she helped increase the organization’s revenue and led the fight to make sure insurance companies covered the cost of contraception.
But her time there wasn’t without controversy — most recently Feldt came under fire for backing John Kerry in the November election, the first time Planned Parenthood backed a political candidate in its history. She stepped down from her position in January of this year. But she says that hasn’t stopped her from speaking out on reproductive rights. If anything, she says, it’s actually made her more vocal.
Feldt is also the author of the book The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women’s Rights and How to Fight Back.
Spanish Flamenco thrives in New Mexico, with its own unique flavor
A lot of folks know New Mexico for green chiles, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, and the birthplace of the bomb. But it's also a global center of flamenco—the passionate dance, song and music of the Roma people of southern Spain.
With $2.7 billion settlement approved, college sports’ big money era is officially here
The settlement in House v. NCAA brings an end to the NCAA's long-standing tradition of amateurism. Starting this fall, schools will be able to pay players directly up to a salary cap of $20.5 million.
ICE raids grow tense as protesters confront immigration agents
Bystanders and protesters have been confronting ICE agents as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement.
Deportees are being held in a converted shipping container in Djibouti, ICE says
Deported migrants have been stuck at a military base in Djibouti for over two weeks — and ICE officers are also there, guarding them 24 hours a day.
Supreme Court grants DOGE access to confidential Social Security records
The order, for now, overturns actions that limited DOGE's access to sensitive private information. In a separate case, the court said DOGE did not have to share internal records with a watchdog group.
Trump admin asks SCOTUS to intervene and allow Ed Dept cuts
In an emergency appeal, the administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a lower-court order blocking mass staffing cuts at the Education Department.
