By Jenni Beaver–Planned Parenthood is internationally known for their work with birth control, pregnancy education, and abortion. However, in Sioux City, there is another organization that is also trying to educate community members.
Sitting directly beside the local Planned Parenthood, there is a quaint building with a large statue of the Virgin Mary sitting just beside the sign that reads, “Mary’s Choice, Pregnancy Resource Center.”
The two buildings are separated by a small stone wall that one can easily see over when they are standing in the Planned Parenthood driveway or in the Mary’s Choice parking lot. It’s a small barrier that seems sufficient as a separation between the two buildings. However, Parenthood wanted to make a bigger wall so that those walking up their driveway could not see over into their “competitor’s” parking lot.
Parenthood’s first thought was to build on top of the small stone wall, but Mary’s Choice had a few objections. Mary’s sought legal counsel and it was determined that the wall was on their property and could not be touched. So, Parenthood built their own wooden privacy fence.
This fence could have created a problem for Mary’s Choice since no one could see over into their neck of the woods. However, Sherill Glassmaker, the Executive Director of the pro-life pregnancy center, claims that what happened after the fence was erected is just the opposite of what one would think. “Planned Parenthood now portrays itself for what they really do and have themselves brought more awareness to those in the area of the atrocity of abortion. Kind of like they may have something to hide or be ashamed of.”
The fence that simply separated two parking lots, has turned into a symbol of secrecy. According to Sherill, it has actually made people think twice about what really goes on in one of their clinics. It has served as a flashing neon sign to those entering that maybe something isn’t right.
After recovering from what could have been a blow to their mission of educating women on the alternatives to abortion, Mary’s Choice has overcome the privacy barrier. There is now a sign, just tall enough to be seen over the fence, that now sits on Mary’s Choice property. When asked what prompted the sign, Sherill said that it wasn’t a planned decision.
As a matter of fact, a local businessman had been touched by the fence and what the mission of the organization. So, he figured out exactly what kind of sign, what height, and what placement would allow those walking through the Planned Parenthood driveway to get a glimpse of the mission next door.
He “called and asked if he could present his proposal to the board members.” Everyone met with him and liked his idea. After five months, the funds were all there, so the project was put into motion.
Dawn Witzke, the Mary’s Choice webmaster, looks out at the new sign, and realizes that the wooden fence was a blessing from the start. “I actually feel thankful that Planned Parenthood put up that wall. Without it we might not have put up the sign. A sign which allows us to reach a much larger audience than just those people who come through our door.”
Now, when one drives up Stone Avenue toward Western Iowa Tech, the first building you pass is, as always, Planned Parenthood. It’s a slightly dingy white building, with bold blue letters labeling the outside, “Planned Parenthood.” This building invites in scared young women, high-powered businesswomen, and couples looking for help. It offers a solution to the problems that seem too daunting to resolve. Just next-door is another building, a smaller, less professional looking organization. It’s exterior looks like a mission, with the Virgin Mary standing elegantly out front, and a small sign informing people of who they are, “Mary’s Choice.”
Between the two buildings stands a tall, wooden fence that the average person cannot see over. As the women and the couples walk up the Planned Parenthood driveway, they don’t realize that just next door is an organization that also has answers for them. Of course, different answers are found over the fence, but answers nonetheless. If the wall wasn’t there, maybe they could get a second opinion on their situation. If only they could see.
Now people only have to do one thing. All they have to do is look up.
I find it a bit twee, but certainly also irresponsible to report the above without mention of the history of intimidation that planned parenthood workers and clients have had to endure in many cities across the U.S. The intimidation has included both verbal and physical abuse. In fact, in 1999 Sioux Falls Planned Parenthood was firebombed by Martin Uphoff.
I too think its a shame that social workers offering family planning feel the need to erect a privacy fence, but clearly for different reasons than the author.