Lee Minto -- Planned Parenthood's Pillar Of Persistence

BEFORE there was Roe vs. Wade, there was Planned Parenthood of Seattle-King County. And there was Lee Minto. Together they traveled a tough road.

For more than three decades, Minto fought an uphill battle for abortion rights and sex education in schools. For 27 of those years, she was Planned Parenthood's chief executive officer. Forceful, determined and effective.

Much has changed since 1973 when Roe vs. Wade made abortion a private matter between a woman and her doctor. Those provisions have been put into state law with passage of Initiative 121.

One thing that never changed was Minto's staunch commitment. She worked harder than anyone in this state to take abortion out of the back alley of illegality. She earned this month's retirement as president. She will be missed.