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I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead our affiliate into the next portion of our journey toward reproductive justice for all.

This past year has seen great accomlishments for our affiliate.

  • In June, Planned Parenthood Federation of America awarded PPNCF 16 counties. This is a daunting challenge but one we embrace as we carry the mission and vision of Planned Parenthood into this new service area. 
  • During spring break 2008 PPNCF took 8 peer educators to Panama City Beach to do outreach to the thousands of college spring breakers that visit Panama City Beach each year. During spring break our educators passed out over 48,000 condoms and made over 5,000 safe sex presentations to spring breakers. Our peer educators were featured in the Panama City News Herald and on the web in a news video.
  • We provided healthcare services for 4,169 NEW female patients,  465 NEW male patients,  4,549 continuing female patients,  59 continuing male patients
  • Through our education programs we distributed 55,381 condoms, enrolled 58 at-risk youth in our Safe Passages program, performed 895 HIV tests, trained 24 peer educators and saw 144 clients in our Risky Business Clinic
  • In our public policy and advocacy work we appeared in over 14 media stories in the Tallahassee Democrat, Gainesville Sun and on AM 650.  We held friend raisers in Gainesville and Tallahassee. Our 2008 legislative priorities also saw victories as The Healthy Teens Act – passed out of a Senate committee on a 5-4 vote and The Prevention First Act – passed out of a Senate committee unanimously.

But our struggle continues, often I encounter folks who have no idea about the work of Planned Parenthood beyond provision of abortion care.  I always look for an opportunity to tell them what the word choice actually means to me:

Choice means that sexuality is recognized as a lifelong part of being human and that it is celebrated with openness, respect and mutuality.

Choice means that all children are wanted and loved.

Choice means that neither women nor men feel as though they must exploit their sexuality for any reason.

Choice means that the media does not inappropriately use sexual images coupled with images of violence and degradation to sell a product.

Choice means that everyone understands the beauty of sex and also the consequences of engaging in risky sexual behavior.

Choice means that all kids have access to age appropriate and medically accurate sex education.

Choice means that the ability to control when and if to have children is a basic human right.  Therefore no one should be denied access to birth control or emergency contraception.

Choice means that our elected officials do not have the right to legislate our private and personal decisions.

Choice encompasses all the work we do everyday here at Planned Parenthood.

This work is not easy and we cannot do it alone. We would love to have you as a partner.

Peace & Miracles,

Staci Fox
President/CEO