Emily Wales is president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. An attorney, she previously served as the organization's chief operations officer and general counsel. She joined the organization in 2017 and was named president and CEO in June 2022, after serving in an interim capacity. She earned a BA at William Jewell College and a law degree at Harvard Law School.
Role at the time: President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains
Condemned
Statement summary
Emily Wales opposed the bill, arguing that it disregards medical evidence and Missouri voters' support for abortion access.
“This bill ignores both”
Open source (opens in a new tab)ABC 17 reports responses to Hawley's proposed mifepristone banWales's direct statement to ABC 17, paragraph 28; Cook-Callen's direct statements to ABC 17, paragraphs 32-37
Why we used this label
Emily Wales argues against Hawley's mifepristone ban. Wales's reference to both concerned medical experts and voters.
Senator Josh Hawley wants Congress to revoke the FDA's approval of mifepristone and ban the abortion pill nationally. His bill has stalled in committee, and in September he began pressing Republicans to sign a pledge backing it.
