Democratic gubernatorial candidate Allyson Schwartz, herself a former director of a women's health clinic, today received the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC.

“The Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC is thrilled to announce its endorsement of Allyson Schwartz for Governor,” said Sari Stevens, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates and PAC. “Allyson has a distinguished record advocating for women’s health and economic security and will be a strong ally in the Governor’s office.”

Although she currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, Schwartz founded Philadelphia's Elizabeth Blackwell Center — a women's health clinic — in 1975 and served as it's director until 1988. According to a release the Blackwell Center "provided comprehensive health care services for women of all income levels, races, and backgrounds including access to fertility treatments, prenatal care, breast cancer screenings, and contraceptive services"

In a release, Schwartz said she welcomed the endorsement.

“It's unacceptable that women are still fighting to get access to the care they need in 2014 — it’s time for a powerful voice to stand up when legislators try to tell women what health care decisions they can make and push for offensive legislation meant only to create obstacles to safe, legal care,” Schwartz said.

“And it is absolutely unacceptable that Governor Corbett’s response to these obstacles is telling women to ‘just close your eyes.’ Pennsylvania women deserve better.”

The full release appears after the jump:

Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC Endorses Allyson Schwartz for Governor

Philadelphia, PA—- Today, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC endorsed Allyson Schwartz for Governor.

“The Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC is thrilled to announce its endorsement of Allyson Schwartz for Governor,” said Sari Stevens, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates and PAC. “Allyson has a distinguished record advocating for women’s health and economic security and will be a strong ally in the Governor’s office.”

Schwartz welcomed the endorsement citing her years of work fighting to make sure women have access to health care options.

“It's unacceptable that women are still fighting to get access to the care they need in 2014 — it’s time for a powerful voice to stand up when legislators try to tell women what health care decisions they can make and push for offensive legislation meant only to create obstacles to safe, legal care,” Schwartz said.

“And it is absolutely unacceptable that Governor Corbett’s response to these obstacles is telling women to ‘just close your eyes.’ Pennsylvania women deserve better.”

In addition to founding the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center that provided comprehensive health care services for women of all income levels, races, and backgrounds including access to fertility treatments, prenatal care, breast cancer screenings, and contraceptive services, Schwartz has been a leader for women fighting for pay equity, paid medical leave, and mandatory coverage of ob/gyn care by insurance companies.

Schwartz has also received the endorsements of EMILY’s List, the Philadelphia Democratic Committee, IBEW 98, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers, Western Teamsters Unions, United Mine Workers of America, United Steel Workers Local 10-1, Boilermakers Local 19, and the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.