Faye Wattleton

            On the afternoon of January 27, 1978 my phone rang. On the line was Tenny Marshall (Wattleton,174). Tenny was the acting president of Planned Parenthood and head of the search committee to find a new president (174). I heard her say that the board had made a decision. Before the words could touch my ears I felt myself going numb. Tenny informed me that the board came back with a vote of 54 to 6 (Wattleton,181). I repeated the numbers in my mind, "54 to 6, 54 to 6." I was the new president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (181). Tenny waited silently for my response. My mind whirled in a frenzy of uncertainty and excitement. The only word I could find to utter was, "Okay." Tenny and I spoke briefly. I told her I would come to Kansas City to thank the board and give my acceptance speech (181). As I hung up the phone, I had so many thoughts and emotions all at once.
             I cannot say that I was surprised or shocked by this news. I was, of course, aware that I was a candidate for the presidency. My only opponent for the position was Al Moran, the executive director of Planned Parenthood New York City ( Wattleton, 174). I was an admirer of Al's work but I knew the committee was looking for a woman (Wattleton, 172). There had not been a woman leading this organization, designed primarily for women, since the founder stepped down in 1942 (Gale). I also knew that many Executive Directors around the country were interested in my being the president. I had been receiving phone calls from executives since early September urging me to become a candidate (Wattleton, 175). These facts still did not prepare me for the event of becoming president. .
             Franklin, my husband and never ending supporter, was standing next to me. I told him the news and his face lit up with excitement. Seeing his face calmed me and brought my thoughts to my family. Were we prepared for this move from Dayton to Manhattan? Was Franklin ready to .