Earlier this week, we published a story about 51&, a new organization that aims to make women’s health both bipartisan and apolitical. Through an AARP-style membership organization and a PAC, it’s supporting both Republican and Democratic politicians—and has decided not to touch the issue of abortion. Founder Jodi Neuhauser believes that abortion has been a “third rail in D.C.,” preventing progress on a host of other women’s health issues—from lower reimbursement rates for doctors (which affect access to care) to funding for research on cardiology, autoimmune disease, and other conditions that impact women.
After publishing the piece by Fortune‘s Lila MacLellan, we heard from people with passionate responses to the approach. It’s clearly a strategy that drives strong feelings and debate. Is leaving aside the issue of abortion a pragmatic solution to an unfixable political stalemate, one that is harming women’s overall well-being? Or is it a betrayal of women’s most fundamental need for bodily autonomy?
In the latter camp was Dawn Laguens, a former EVP and chief brand officer of Planned Parenthood; she also held roles leading global strategy and innovation over 15 years at the organization. She sent in a response to the launch of 51&. Below is some of her perspective:
From a business standpoint, neutrality isn’t safe—it’s a blind spot. Women’s health is a $1.2 trillion market, and the fastest-growing segments—telemedicine, diagnostics, digital care, postpartum support—all intersect with reproductive health. Ignoring abortion doesn’t make your work bipartisan; it makes it incomplete. It shrinks the addressable market, limits innovation, and undermines consumer trust.
Staying silent on abortion signals to employees, consumers, and investors that a company will hedge on women’s autonomy whenever it feels politically convenient. The real opportunity is in credibility. Investors who want to lead in women’s health will recognize that autonomy isn’t ideology—it’s infrastructure. The companies that earn women’s trust by addressing the full spectrum of care will win the market and make a difference.
There’s a false bargain here: women might get attention for heart disease, autoimmune disorders, or maternal mortality, but only if we stay quiet about reproductive rights. That’s not pragmatism. Women shouldn’t have to pay for progress in one area of health by giving up power over another. Our rights—and our health care—come as a full set.
You cannot brand your way out of women’s bodies.
Dawn Laguens is former executive vice president for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and a current strategy and innovation consultant working on women’s health.
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If you have thoughts to share on this conversation, feel free to send them my way. It’s complex—but an important one to have.
Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
The Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter is Fortune’s daily briefing for and about the women leading the business world. Subscribe here.
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