By Emily Drooby

Abby Johnson worked at Planned Parenthood for eight years before having a life-changing experience in 2009.

“After witnessing a live, ultrasound-guided abortion procedure on a 13-week-old baby, seeing that there was indeed humanity in the womb,” Johnson said that she realized, “I was on the wrong side of this debate.”

She quit her job as a Planned Parenthood clinic director in Bryan, Texas, and has since dedicated herself to “really trying to expose what’s happening inside of abortion clinics.”

Johnson joined the Coalition of Life, down the street from her former clinic, and has become an influential pro-life activist. Her story was told in her 2011 memoir, “Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line.”

And now her experiences are about to hit the big screen in a film called “Unplanned.”

“The hope is that, number one, people will see the reality of abortion,” Johnson told Currents News at a preview screening held in Prospect Heights in early January.

But also, Johnson said, “That the brand of Planned Parenthood will be chipped away, and show what’s really taking place inside of these clinics.

“The other hope is that it will bring hope to those who have had abortions that there is forgiveness, there is mercy.”

Johnson is also the founder of And Then There Were None, a ministry to help abortion clinic workers leave the abortion industry.

She, along with Keith Mason, a member of the film’s production team, previewed the new movie for members of DeSales Media Group at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Following the film, attendees had the chance to meet Johnson and ask questions about her life and faith.

“It’s a very powerful film,” said Msgr. Kieran Harrington, diocesan vicar for communications. “It’s helpful to kind of understand how, film really does affect culture and I think this film will go a long way to helping move the culture to kind of really see the evil of abortion.”

“Unplanned” is due to be released in more than 800 theaters across the country  March 22. Johnson was also scheduled to speak at the March for Life, Jan. 18, where a trailer for the film was to be shown.

For more about the film, visit www.unplannedfilm.com.