Though she is a popular figure for women's self-determination movements around the world, her pro-life views on abortion have earned her some backlash from some feminists groups. Despite this, she is still highly respected for her work to further the rights of women in most parts of the globe, more recently being in Pakistan following the attack on a young girl seeking to gain an education. Townsend made a promise to see to it that women there are given access to schools and universities without the threat of violence directed against them. She also donated $45 million dollars to causes deticated to the furthering of women's rights.