Natasha Rothwell and Tony Award-Winning Performer Sarah Jones Celebrate First Worldwide Premiere of "Ours To Tell" with Planned Parenthood and We Testify 

Natasha Rothwell and Tony Award-Winning Performer Sarah Jones Celebrate First Worldwide Premiere of "Ours To Tell" with Planned Parenthood and We Testify 

Activist, Advocates, and Influencers Attended NYC Screening of Short Film on the Power of Bodily Autonomy Through Access to Abortion

New York, NY – On Wednesday, January 22, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and We Testify hosted the first worldwide screening of "Ours to Tell," a short film about four people who live full and empowered lives because they were free to access safe and legal abortion. The film, which premiered on the 47^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, spotlights what it means to a person's future to have bodily autonomy and is a call for compassion and self-determination. “Ours to Tell” is directed by Academy Award-winning director Rayka Zehtabchi and produced by Ventureland in association with PRETTYBIRD, and features actor, writer, and comedian, Natasha Rothwell as the narrator.

Statement from Natasha Rothwell, Actor, Writer, and Comedian:

It's been an honor to participate in a project that speaks to the obstacles people of color face when it comes to having agency in regard to their reproductive health, especially when health care and abortion access has historically been out of reach. 'Ours to Tell' speaks to the power that can only come when you have the freedom to decide what is best for your body and your family, with no barriers. Everyone, regardless of race, income, insurance, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, or immigration status should be able to access abortion without shame or judgement. This film showcases what reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy looks like —and how access to abortion can, in no uncertain terms, change lives for the better.

Tony Award-winning performer Sarah Jones opened and emceed the event with a performance. Remarks were given by Planned Parenthood of New York City President and CEO, Laura McQuade, and Executive Director of We Testify, Renee Bracey Sherman. Prior to the film screening, the event featured a panel that explored the gap between legality and access to abortion. The discussion, was moderated by Nia-Martin Robinson, Planned Parenthood's Director of Black Leadership and Engagement, and included panelists: Jessica Pickney, vice president of government affairs at In Our Own Voice and Erin Panichkul, student organizing coordinator at If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice.

The screening of “Ours to Tell” was followed by a panel discussion on the creation of the film – and moderated by Melanie Newman, Planned Parenthood’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Culture, with panelists: Renee Bracey Sherman, Executive Director of We Testify; Rayka Zehtabchi, Director of “Ours to Tell”; and Natasha Rothwell, Narrator of “Ours to Tell.”

To view the film, learn more, and find out what you can do, go to ourstotell.org. Share the film using #OursToTell. To learn more about We Testify, which is dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who’ve had abortions, or share your story click here.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

We Testify is an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who’ve had abortions, increasing the spectrum of abortion storytellers in the public sphere, and shifting the way the media understands the context and complexity of accessing abortion care. We Testify invests in abortion storytellers to elevate their voices and expertise, particularly those of color, those from rural and conservative communities, those who are queer-identified, those with varying abilities and citizenship statuses, and those who needed support when navigating barriers while accessing abortion care. To learn more about We Testify, or to share your abortion story, visit: https://wetestify.org/.