Planned Parenthood Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month with Third Annual Invencibles Awards

WASHINGTON — In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, Planned Parenthood Federation of America presented the third annual Invencibles Awards, to recognize Latino leaders for their contributions to reproductive health, rights, and justice.

The Invencibles Awards are rooted in the foundational role that sexual and reproductive health play in building a future with full equality. The awards recognize community leaders, national partners, and congressional members whose work has made high-quality sexual and reproductive health care more widely available in Latino communities. The awards honor Congressional Hispanic Caucus members, national and global Latino partners, and Planned Parenthood community leaders who have demonstrated leadership within Latino communities. 

In recognition that Planned Parenthood is part of a global movement, this year we are proud to add a new award for our Planned Parenthood Global partners, the Invencibles Somos Valentía Award. This award salutes one of our courageous international partners for bravery in advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as breaking down barriers that prevent people from realizing their reproductive freedom in Latin America.

This year’s recipients of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Invencibles Award are:

• Invencible Promotor of the Year Award - Cristóbal Valdebenito

  • As the Promotoras Coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi (PPTNM), Cristóbal has implemented sex-education curriculum and developed strong partnerships with local organizations and community leaders, seeking innovative solutions to increase equitable access to health care.

• Invencible Raíz Advocate of the Year Award - Victoria Ruiz-Marin

  • Victoria is the public affairs manager at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) where she oversees organizing and advocacy programs with a focus on breaking down barriers to accessing reproductive health care, whether the barrier is immigration status, language accessibility, income inequality, or lack of health insurance.

• Invencible Generation Leader of the Year Award - Jazmyn Horton-Alvarado

  • A graduate student of social work at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley, Jazmyn is the founder and president of the school’s Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapter where she conducts research on reproductive health disparities in her local community and works to ensure accommodations for students who have disabilities.

• Invencible Partner of the Year Award - Poder Latinx Collective Fund

  • Poder Latinx is a civic and social justice organization that takes an innovative, comprehensive, civic engagement approach to intentionally integrate community organizing and leadership development into its programs, aiming to inform hard-to-reach families and youth. Its work includes a robust get-out-the-vote strategy, as well as leadership development, to ensure low-propensity voters are represented and civically engaged.

• Invencible Somos Valentía Award - PROMSEX

  • The Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos PROMSEX is a feminist organization that works to sercure the right to sexual and reproductive autonomy, dignity, justice, and equality in Perú through political advocacy, knowledge production and dissemination, and robust partnerships.

• Invencible Champion for Reproductive Health - Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX 29)

  • Rep. Garcia, the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, has dedicated her life to her community and public service with a focus on economic development and securing protections and opportunities for working families. She is an outspoken champion in Congress for sexual and reproductive health and rights, including increasing and maintaining access to abortion. 

Struggles for justice are intersectional. The issues that disproportionately affect Latino communities, like abuses by ICE and immigration disparities, can and must be battled alongside the fight for reproductive health, rights, and justice. This year alone, with nearly 600 abortion restrictions introduced in state legislatures, it’s clear that we need a collective commitment to continue the fight to protect access to abortion.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“The 2021 Invencibles Awards recipients are incredible leaders and advocates for their communities. This has not been an easy year, but Victoria Ruiz Marin, Cristóbal Valdebenito, Jazmyn Horton-Alvarado, Promsex, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, and Poder Latinx Collective Fund showcased the importance of continuing to fight for the people we serve, even when it feels like the odds aren’t in our favor. This Latinx Heritage Month and all year round, Te valoramos. Te celebramos. Estamos contigo. We see you. We celebrate you. We’re here with you. Thank you for being Invencibles."

Statement from Dee Redwine, vice president and regional director of Planned Parenthood Global for Latin America:

“Over the past year, we have seen inspiring progress towards reproductive freedom in Latin America — including the broadening of abortion rights in Argentina, Ecuador, and Mexico, and other important advances in Perú and Costa Rica. Courageous movement leaders for sexual and reproductive rights in Latin America are making this great collective transformation happen. We are proud of our longstanding partnership with PROMSEX — the inaugural recipient of the Somos Valentía award and one of the most inspiring and fearless voices for sexual and reproductive rights. Planned Parenthood Global is committed to a locally-led, globally-connected movement, and PROMSEX embodies that spirit. Planned Parenthood Global is proud to have their back as they bravely push the leading edge of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Perú and throughout Latin America."

Statement from Zipatly V. Mendoza, director of Latino leadership and engagement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

“As we reflect on the past year and the ongoing pandemic affecting our communities, we cannot ignore that Latinos are among those being hit hardest by COVID-19. At the same time, it’s the Latino folks getting this country through this pandemic. The pandemic, coupled with the nearly 600 abortion restrictions introduced in state legislatures this year alone, have put access to equitable and quality reproductive health care at grave risk. These abortion bans and broader attacks on reproductive health care in this country and across the globe overwhelmingly harm Black and Latino communities. While it has been a long year, I am inspired by all of the 2021 Invencibles awardees for their leadership, innovative work, and commitment to the Latino community to ensure reproductive health services remain accessible.”

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 Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for all 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, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

For more than half a century, Planned Parenthood Global, the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, has partnered with courageous local leaders and organizations across Africa and Latin America to spark, and sustain, progress at the leading edge of the movement for sexual and reproductive health and rights. In partnership with nearly 100 organizations across nine focus countries, Planned Parenthood Global advances the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved.