Planned Parenthood Celebrates the Fourth Annual Invencibles Awards
For Immediate Release: Dec. 8, 2022
Sen. Alex Padilla, Las Libres and UNASSE, and Taller Salud among the award-winners
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) presented the fourth annual Invencibles (“Invincibles”) awards in recognition of Latino community leaders’ contributions to reproductive justice, rights, and health.
The Invencibles awards highlight the important role sexual and reproductive health plays in creating a future where all people have access to the health care they need, when they need it — regardless of who they are, how much they earn, and where they live. The Invencibles awards recognize the work of community leaders, national and international organizations, and members of Congress who fight to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care in Latino communities.
“Invencibles award recipients have contributed to sexual and reproductive health, education, and advocacy at every level: paving the way for more Latino leadership across the country, helping Planned Parenthood ensure health care services to patients, breaking stigma by sharing personal stories and normalizing the lived experiences of diverse communities, and building coalitions across the Americas. Everyone here tonight plays a part in making this movement happen. We reaffirm our commitment to fight for reproductive freedom together — to reimagine a better future where we meet one another with compassion and affirmation in building a strong, intergenerational, intersectional movement. To all our award winners tonight –– ¡felicitaciones!,” said Alex McGill Johnson, president and CEO of PPFA.
The winners of this year’s Planned Parenthood Federation of America Invencibles awards are:
Promotor of the Year Invencible Award: Silvia Rico-Silva, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA)
Silvia, who is originally from Mexico, has a 20-year career as a Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) community Promotora, serving the Latino immigrant community in the areas of sexual health, drug prevention, and intimate partner violence awareness. During the pandemic, Silvia filled an essential role by supporting the community through phone calls and other means — offering support through all the challenges and difficulties families were facing, and helping to address their pain and concern in the midst of uncertainty.
Raíz Defender of the Year Invencible Award: Gabriela Estala-López, Raíz Campaign Organizing Specialist, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM)
Gabriela Estala-López is an organizing campaign specialist for the Raíz program at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Gabriela is also a mentor for the Generation Action chapter of Planned Parenthood at the University of New Mexico. In her role, Gabriela has organized free mammogram clinics in her community, has represented the Raíz program as a panelist and Latinx youth leader for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, supported national Raíz staff on revamping and co-facilitating a plática for abortion messaging for Latino communities and, more recently, helped raise money for local abortion funds in New Mexico.
Planned Parenthood Generation Chapter Leader of the Year Invencible Award: Myka Martínez, University of New Mexico Chapter
Myka Martínez is known for her commitment and dedication to educating students at the University of New Mexico about reproductive health and bodily autonomy. She represents a generation that understands the importance of the right to control our bodies, as well as the impact of abortion bans in different states. Myka and her chapter have supported people who travel to New Mexico to have an abortion, and they have been present on the college campus to educate people about the impact of abortion bans.
Allied Organization of the Year Invencible Award: Taller Salud
Taller Salud is a community-based feminist organization dedicated to improving women’s health care access, reducing violence in community environments, and encouraging economic development through education and activism in Puerto Rico. This year, Taller Salud was a leader in the response against abortion bans introduced in the Puerto Rico Senate, and has been an unconditional ally of Planned Parenthood in the fight for health care access for all people, no matter what.
Somos Valentía Invencible Award: UNASSE and Las Libres for Proyecto Fronteras Solidarias
UNASSE and Las Libres — two organizations based in Mexico — are part of Proyecto Fronteras Solidarias (Supportive Borders Project), an initiative that provides assistance from Mexico to people who need to have an abortion as a result of abortion bans in the United States since the Supreme Court eliminated Roe v. Wade and Texas enacted S.B. 8.
Defender of Reproductive Health Invencible Award: Sen. Alex Padilla
Sen. Alex Padilla is the first Latino to represent California in the United States Senate. He is a champion for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Senate, working tirelessly to close the health equity gap and advance policies that will ensure Latinos have access to the high quality health care they deserve. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he has highlighted the impact of the Dobbs decision on Latino, Black, and Indigenous communities, immigrants, and people with low incomes who are most impacted by abortion bans, and has advocated for the Biden-Harris administration to prioritize health equity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision.
Alexis McGill Johnson; Sen. Alex Padilla; Silvia Rico-Silva, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles; Celinda Vázquez, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
Tania Rosario Méndez, Taller Salud; Zipatly Mendoza, PPFA; Lourdes Inoa, Taller Salud; Melodía Gutiérrez, PPFA
Gabriela Estala-López, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains; Raquel Cruz-Juárez, PPFA
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive 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.