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You Can Celebrate 100 Years Of Planned Parenthood

by Alex Gladu

On Oct. 16, 1916, the nation's first birth control clinic opened its doors in Brooklyn, New York. Over the past 100 years, that first clinic has grown into a nationwide network that provides more than 650,000 HIV tests and more than 600,000 pap smears annually. To celebrate that history, you can change your Facebook profile photo for Planned Parenthood's 100th anniversary.

Planned Parenthood's long history can easily be overlooked because of the loud controversy over some of its services in the modern era. In reality, the organization's facilities have become go-to resources for both women and men across the country. According to Planned Parenthood's 2014-2015 annual report, the network's 661 health centers saw more than 2.5 million patients in one year. Nearly half — 45 percent — of the services performed that year consisted of testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and diseases. (For the record, only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood's services that year consisted of abortion, while 7 percent had to do with cancer screening and prevention.)

Numbers aside, Planned Parenthood has made great strides in the last several decades, particularly in raising awareness for the need for women's health services. The organization will mark its 100th anniversary on Sunday with a series of celebrations, both in person and online. Online, supporters can add a celebratory Planned Parenthood filter to their Facebook profile photos.

The Planned Parenthood filter is available via Twibbon, a platform that allows groups to create such filters and other social media campaigns. To get the pink "100 Years Strong" filter, visit Planned Parenthood's Twibbon page online. Then, below the sample photo and filter, click "Add to Twitter" or "Add to Facebook," depending on which platform you'd like to use. There's also a sample tweet and Facebook post you can share directly from the Twibbon page.

Beyond the branded profile photos, Planned Parenthood will host events across the country on Sunday. Centennial events are planned in at least 19 cities, including Hudson, New York; Atlanta; Flagstaff, Arizona; and San Francisco. Planned Parenthood has also launched a Thunderclap campaign, encouraging fans to amplify its message on social media to help spread the word about its important services.

Stephen Brashear/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Planned Parenthood has faced its fair share of criticism, particularly during the current election cycle. Still, the network of health centers and information sources remains a staple for millions of women across the country. Sunday's 100th anniversary celebration will honor decades of services and the people who have made such services possible.