Planned Parenthood Honors Champions of Women’s Health Care At Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 48th Annual Legislative Conference 

Washington, DC — On Saturday, Planned Parenthood Federation of America will host its seventh annual brunch as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 48th Annual Legislative Conference. Along with media partner BET Her — BET’s channel designed for Black women — Planned Parenthood will present its Champion of Women’s Health Care awards to U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA); actress Karrueche Tran, and Janine Sherman Barrois, showrunner and executive producer of TNT’s Claws; Mary Hooks, co-director of Southerners on New Ground; and South Carolina state Reps. Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Todd Rutherford and Sens. Margie Bright-Matthews (D-SC) and Marlon Kimpson (D-SC).

For the first time ever, we will have an award category that uplifts the work of young people fighting for sexual and reproductive rights on their campuses and in their communities. Michyah Thomas and Aman Tune will accept this award on behalf of their PP GenAction chapter at Hampton University, a historically black university in Hampton, Va. Grammy-nominated artist Jazmine Sullivan will provide the event’s performance.

Statement from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

Black women are fighting for their lives and their rights — and leading all of us who care about equality to fight alongside them. That’s what we are celebrating through our participation in CBC week and through honoring our awardees at Saturday’s brunch.

“We know we cannot achieve our mission as an organization in a country and culture where systemic racism continues to block people of color from health care and opportunities.  Our mission has been to ensure access to expert, affordable, compassionate care for all. We cannot fulfill that mission unless we prioritize care for Black women.

“That’s why we are committed at Planned Parenthood to Stand With Black Women. Black women are our staff, our fierce champions and partners, our patients, our activists, our doctors, our nurses, and our leaders. They are a force to be reckoned with and we are so grateful to have them on our side.

Each year, Planned Parenthood welcomes the opportunity to deepen this relationship, and we look forward to collaborating further with Black communities and leaders. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference is once again convening public policy experts to facilitate dialogue and launch actions that will advance the fight for equity and justice, and Planned Parenthood is grateful for the opportunity to participate.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund also hosted and participated in additional CBCF ALC events:

Issue Forum

In addition to the brunch, Planned Parenthood will hosted an issue forum at the CBCF ALC called "Standing With Black Women and Supporting Their Reproductive Health Choices: Maternal Mortality, Abortion, and Birth Control Access."

The talk was moderated by Jacqueline Ayers, national director of legislative affairs, and convened a diverse group of panelists with backgrounds in media, entertainment, health, and activism to discuss Black women’s political role. The panel featured:

• Elizabeth Dawes Gay, co-director, Black Mamas Matter Alliance
• Dr. Serina Floyd, Medical Director at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC
• Aza Nedhari, founding executive director, Mamatoto Village
• Dr. Krystal Redman, executive director, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW 

Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, National Director, Legislative Affairs, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

As a health care provider, Planned Parenthood believes creating health equity is critical to ensuring that all people can lead healthy, safe, and empowered lives.  We also know that standing with Black women does not stop at providing health care. We must invest in policies, resources, and networks that dismantle anti-Blackness, promote justice and equity, and protect and expand access to reproductive health care. As we continue to face the constant barrage of attacks on reproductive health care from this administration — which we know have a disproportionate impact on Black communities — we are grateful for the opportunity to continue to work hand in hand with institutions working to build and strengthen our communities, like the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Exhibit Showcase

Throughout the conference, Planned Parenthood Federation of America will have a booth at the CBCF ALC’s exhibit showcase, where people are invited to share their stories of why they stand with Planned Parenthood and how Planned Parenthood has made an impact on their health and lives.

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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.