Planned Parenthood Honors Advocates

Planned Parenthood last week paid tribute to reproductive health and rights advocates whose vision and commitment have advanced sexual and reproductive health and rights. The honorees were presented with awards during the 2008 Planned Parenthood National Conference, held the week of March 24, and attended by 1,000 staff and volunteers who work on the frontline of women’s reproductive health care every day.

All of the honorees have made outstanding contributions to ensuring access to affordable reproductive health care and family planning services. Highlights included:

Kenneth C. Edelin, M.D.
Dr. Edelin is emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine and has dedicated his life to ensuring women have access to reproductive health care and family planning services. He is a former chairperson of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and a longtime member of the PPFA Board of Advocates. In 1974, he was convicted and later exonerated of manslaughter for performing a routine, safe, and legal abortion.  

Kate Walsh
Ms. Walsh, the star of ABC’s Private Practice and PPFA Board of Advocates member, received a PPFA Maggie Award for her public support for reproductive health and rights. Walsh is an exemplary artist who harnesses her celebrity to advocate for affordable access to reproductive health care and family planning services and REAL sex education as the best ways to put prevention first. Watch an interview Kate Walsh gave to the CBS Early Show.

Rev. Deborah McKinley
Rev. McKinley, Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania board chair, received the The Reverends Betsy M. and Thomas R. Davis Distinguished Service Award for being a passionate ambassador for reproductive rights in the religious community. The Interfaith Prayer Breakfast brought together religious leaders from different faiths and denominations in support of women’s health and reproductive rights. Rev. Jennifer Butler, executive director of Faith in Public Life and former Presbyterian Church (USA) representative to the United Nations, spoke about why religious leaders support reproductive justice and the state of the conservative Christian movement. 

Other awards:  ABC’s hit drama Boston Legal was also awarded a PPFA Maggie Award. Activist Annette Cumming received the 2008 “Walk the Talk” Award, and Bryan Howard, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona, received this year’s Ruth Green Award. For a full list of this year's award winners, read Planned Parenthood's press releases on the Planned Parenthood Gala and on the Affiliate Excellence Awards.