Planned Parenthood Presents National Clergy Award to Local Volunteer
HOUSTON, TX — Today Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) honored exceptional affiliates, staff, and volunteers for their contributions to women’s health, sex education, and reproductive rights at the annual Affiliate Excellence and Volunteer Awards luncheon. PPFA President Cecile Richards gave the keynote address at the awards ceremony, held during the Planned Parenthood National Conference.
“Our dedicated employees and volunteers are the backbone of Planned Parenthood,” said Richards. “Without their unyielding commitment, Planned Parenthood would be unable to provide high-quality, affordable reproductive health care services and education to millions of women, men, and teens each year.”
Among those honored was Reverend Doctor Doyle Luckenbaugh of Massillon, Ohio, who received the Davis Distinguished Service Award for his work with clergy locally and nationally. Reverend Luckenbaugh served on the Planned Parenthood of Stark County (PPSC) Board of Directors from 2002 until 2008 when PPSC merged with four other affiliates to become Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio (PPNEO). Prior to moving to Ohio, Reverend Luckenbaugh was on the Board of the Susquehenna Valley Planned Parenthood from 1997 to 2001.
As a Planned Parenthood Board member, Reverend Luckenbaugh served on the Development Committee and was a political advocate. He led a forum at Lancaster Theological Seminary and organized clergy support for the PPFA Clergy Advisory Board statement, “Comprehensive, Medically Accurate and Age-Appropriate Sexuality Education.” In 2002, Reverend Luckenbaugh attended PPFA’s Political Academy and in 2006 and 2007, he participated in the Prevention First Lobby Day campaigns in Columbus, Ohio. In 2004, he and his wife Marian led the Stark County contingent in the March for Women’s Lives in Washington D.C. The same year, Reverend Luckenbaugh was a keynote speaker at the Worldview Forum at Malone College where his clear and compelling personal experiences about women’s lives and health revealed the Christian compassion that has been the hallmark of his life and service to others.
“I am driven by the lessons I learned growing up in the church, in my seminary training, and in my experience as a pastor,” said Reverend Doctor Doyle Luckenbaugh. “Throughout my life I have sought to be a faithful servant by seeking to minister to the least of these (Matthew 25:40) as Jesus taught in following the clarion call of the prophet Micah (Micah 6:8) to work for justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”
Reverend Luckenbaugh continues his work with Planned Parenthood through PPNEO’s Stark Regional Community Leadership Council, where he fulfills a leadership role for community volunteers that are new to the organization. He also regularly volunteers his time at the local health center in Canton, Ohio and often leads panel discussions involving faith and family planning. In 2008, he coordinated local clergy to sign the PPFA Clergy Statement in Support of Comprehensive Sexuality Education and met with local leaders to promote the effort.
“We are grateful for the dedication and support of such an outstanding community advocate,” said Tara Broderick, PPNEO’s President/CEO. “Reverend Luckenbaugh has long fought against discrimination, poverty, abuse and violence, and has been a strong voice for reproductive health and social justice.”
Beyond his work with Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio, Reverend Luckenbaugh has an impressive history of advocacy and volunteerism, including: service in the U.S. Marine Corps; participant in voter registration in Canton, Mississippi (i.e. “Freedom Rider”); delegate to the General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC); walking a picket line with Cesar Chavez and the farm workers in California; sponsor of a coffee house ministry to college and high school students; volunteer Chaplain at a Florence Crittendon home; member of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; participant in the Justice and Witness Action Alert Network of the UCC; volunteer Development Coordinator for Katrina Hurricane Relief for Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi; and volunteer builder with Habitat for Humanity.
Reverend Doctor Doyle Luckenbaugh was presented with the Davis Distinguished Service Award at PPFA’s National Conference in Houston, Texas. He was accompanied by his wife Marian. PPNEO Chairman of the Board Barbara Singhaus and President/CEO Tara Broderick were also in attendance.
Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio (PPNEO) provides essential reproductive health care, family planning services and sexuality education to women and men at 17 health centers in 21 counties throughout Northeast Ohio. PPNEO strengthens individuals, families and communities by promoting healthy and responsible decision-making about parenthood, relationships and sexual health. For more information about PPNEO and our services, visit www.ppneo.org.
