Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg recently donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the political arm of Planned Parenthood.
According to the Huffington Post, Sandberg’s donation is a response to the recent wave of restrictive abortion legislation in Republican states, including Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri. Planned Parenthood Action Fund organizes and endorses abortion-rights candidates in these states.
“I think this is a very urgent moment were the rights and the choices and the basic health of the most vulnerable women — the women who have been marginalized, often women of color — are at stake,” she said. “And so all of us have to do our part to fight these draconian laws.”
Sandberg, a prominent supporter of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood in 2017. She said her most recent donation was a personal one and not associated with Facebook.
The Facebook executive’s hefty donation comes as social media platforms face increasing scrutiny for alleged censorship of anti-abortion organizations.
Last fall, Facebook banned an ad by anti-abortion organization Susan B. Anthony List because the ad, which contained pictures of ultrasounds and newborn infants, “featured sensational or graphic content.”
In June, Pinterest banned anti-abortion group Live Action, claiming the organization’s content was pornography and spread misinformation.
Twitter and Instagram have faced similar accusations.
Sandberg did not take a stance on corporate boycotts of states with restrictive abortion laws, such as Georgia, which has seen Hollywood production companies threaten to leave the state.
Planned Parenthood President Dr. Leana Wen thanked the Facebook COO “for her longstanding commitment to Planned Parenthood.”
“Now, more than ever Sheryl’s generous support is necessary to help Planned Parenthood fight back against unprecedented attacks on people’s health and rights,” Wen said in a statement. “As anti-women’s health politicians try to pass extreme abortion bans across the country, our freedom and rights hand in the balance.”
