The life and conversion of Mayra Rodríguez, from running an abortion clinic to becoming a pro-life leader, as well as her legal battle against Planned Parenthood, form the central theme of a new book being released this month titled "Mayra Rodríguez vs. Planned Parenthood."
"God's timing is perfect," Rodríguez shared in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. Following various setbacks, she will embark on a promotional book tour April 23–26, visiting four Mexican cities: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla, and Xalapa.
On April 25, she will also participate in the March for Life organized by the "Pasos por la Vida" (Steps for Life) platform in Mexico City, drawing tens of thousands to the streets of the Mexican capital.
"The book is about my story. I speak briefly about my childhood in Mexico and how I arrived in the United States," she said, adding that the book also discusses "the mindset of a Catholic within the reproductive rights movement," saying it is something "that is profoundly impacting our Hispanic culture."
Rodríguez clarified: "How many people do we know who call themselves Catholic yet support contraception, abortion, and things like that?"
Rodríguez, who worked for the abortion provider for over 15 years, sued Planned Parenthood Arizona in 2017 for "retaliatory employment termination" after she was fired for reporting to her superiors a series of practices at the facilities that were dangerous to women.
In 2019, a jury ruled in Rodríguez's favor and awarded her $3 million in damages.
"Throughout the entire trial, we didn't ask for a single cent," she emphasized; "we left everything to the jury," which "decided everything and delivered its verdict. Our sole focus was on proving that I was telling the truth."
She initially hesitated over the book's title but ultimately settled on "Mayra Rodríguez vs. Planned Parenthood." She feared it might face a legal challenge, but after consulting with her attorney, they concluded that "that's the name of the case," a case that "is a matter of public record; anyone can look it up online. Thanks to that, I am the only person who can afford the luxury of using that name ... because they are the defendants."
Her intention, she emphasized, is to show "who Planned Parenthood is," because many Mexicans and Hispanics, even within the pro-life movement, are unaware of its impact on politics. She wants people to "see the name and recognize it, and understand that it is synonymous with abortion, synonymous with puberty blockers, synonymous with this entire LGBT movement."
Welcoming 'with compassion' ex-abortion workers
Rodríguez also called upon pro-life advocates not to view those working in the abortion industry "as enemies," encouraging them instead "to view them with love and compassion, understanding that only in this way will we be able to show them the dignity of the human being."
She highlighted the abundance of cases involving abortion clinic workers who have become pro-life leaders such as Abby Johnson, Patricia Sandoval, Ramona Treviño, and Dr. Anthony Levatino, among many others.
Within the organization And Then There Were None founded by Johnson to assist those wishing to leave the abortion industry, and of which Rodríguez is a member, "we have over 750 employees who have left the abortion industry, and more continue to join."
"Our true struggle," she said, "is to focus on changing hearts. And that is done only by getting the word out, by speaking the truth, by talking to people, and by hoping that they listen and that this succeeds in ensuring that even if abortion remains legal, people come to view it as unthinkable," she explained.
'This is just the beginning'
"This is just the beginning. I hope people receive the book well, and ... I hope that many people who believe in abortion manage to open their eyes, or at least that that little seed is planted" that leads to their conversion.
"Mayra Rodríguez vs. Planned Parenthood" is published in Mexico by the publishing house Cristo Misionero. The book will be available for purchase during the tour and at the March for Life in Mexico City on April 25.
Rodríguez is also working on translating the book into English.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
