By Katie Ruffing, Archives Services Intern

My name is Katie Ruffing (she/her), and I'm currently an Archives Services intern at the Ohio History Connection. One of the significant projects I've enjoyed working on is the addendum to MSS 505 AV, the archival records of Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio. An archival addendum refers to additional materials archivists add to a collection; this addendum expanded the collection from five to 17 boxes. It includes audiovisual material as well as the organization's founding documents. The new material provides key insights into the institution's early years that create a deeper understanding of how Planned Parenthood fits into the Columbus community.

During this project, I processed the addendum, removing papers from their original folders, placing them in acid-free archival folders and boxes and disposing of duplicates and non-archival material. While processing, I decided to integrate the addendum into the previously processed collection, which meant interfiling the newly acquired records and creating an inventory based on their new arrangement. Once I finished the physical part of this project, I created a finding aid using that inventory, which allows users to navigate the collection quickly. You can view it in the archives catalog.

I enjoyed working with a collection that highlights a nearly century-long commitment to women's rights from Columbus, Ohio community members and is significant to understanding the history of reproductive rights in Ohio. Users interested in learning more about women's history and reproductive rights or social work institutions will find this collection helpful and thought-provoking. 

A Brief History of Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio 

In 1932, 32 local Columbus women established the Mother's Health Association with this mission:

“to aid and support physicians in medical service and advice to married women, for the protection of the health and strength of such women and their children, and in the giving of such legal advice and instructions as such physicians may deem wise or necessary for the preservation of the mental or physical health or strength of such women, especially to the end that children shall begotten only under conditions which make possible a heritage of mental and physical health, and only when the health and strength of the mother will not be endangered.” 

One notable founding member was Hattie Lazarus, who later had a clinic dedicated to her in recognition of her years of support and service. 

After 11 years, the Mother's Health Association became a chapter of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, changing its name to The Planned Parenthood Association of Columbus, and later, Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio. In its early years, the association dedicated itself to garnering community support by hosting speaker events and educational seminars in addition to the services it provided within its clinics. 

Over time, the organization established several clinics in Columbus and the surrounding counties and received abundant community support in its mission to provide sexual health education, advocacy, and care. Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio continued to expand its services and resources for the local community surrounding reproductive healthcare, which included hosting programs to teach teens about safe sex, creating and distributing educational materials and hosting speaker events. 

In 2012, Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio merged with other Ohio chapters to form Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, which now operates 13 clinics. 

How can you use this collection? 

This collection contains paper records, scrapbooks, photos, discs, and more, which means that it has many possibilities for use. Here are some suggestions: 

• Learn about the history of social work in Ohio

• Consult the educational pamphlets to see how information about sexual health has changed over time 

• Dig into the details of event planning for charitable organizations

• Learn about the history surrounding women’s healthcare and reproductive rights

• Browse the images to find some local landmarks

• Discover the legal process surrounding the creation and management of a charitable organization

• Of course, you should also use this collection for research, whether for a passion project or an academic paper!