Planned Parenthood Honors Ellen Malcolm At Gala Celebrating Champions of Women’s Rights

Event Features Lee Daniels, Director of Precious, Actors Jessica Lowndes and Emily VanCamp 

Tonight, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) will proudly present Ellen R. Malcolm with its highest honor, the PPFA Margaret Sanger Award, at a gala paying tribute to champions of reproductive health and women’s rights. Malcolm has devoted her career to improving the lives of women, including founding and leading EMILY’s List.  Actors Jessica Lowndes and Emily VanCamp will co-host the event with PPFA President Cecile Richards.

"Twenty-five years ago, we embarked on a journey to empower women  to be a part of the political process and to protect every woman’s ability to make private medical decisions,” said Ellen Malcolm, chair of the Board of Directors of EMILY’s List. “I am proud to be honored by Planned Parenthood, an organization that does such important work to provide preventive health care to millions of women every year and make sure their rights are protected.”

“Ellen has single-handedly changed the calculus of American politics by encouraging women to participate fully in the process as candidates, donors and activists,” said Richards. “We stand with millions of women across the country in applauding Ellen for her historic and unparalleled record of accomplishment.” 

PPFA will present its Maggie Award for Film to the Academy Award-winning film Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, which depicts the importance of education in empowering young women to shape their destinies and make important decisions in their own lives. Director Lee Daniels will accept the PPFA Maggie Award on behalf of the film.

“Having run a health care agency myself, I know firsthand that access to education and affordable health care is often a lifeline for young women,” said Daniels. “For Precious to be recognized by Planned Parenthood, which provides critical support to millions of women in need, is truly an honor.”

“The creators of Precious beautifully and sensitively portrayed the struggles that many young women face, while living without access to education and affordable health care,” said Richards. “Planned Parenthood applauds Precious for vividly demonstrating that all women can be trusted to think for themselves and act on their own behalf.”  

Microsoft will receive the PPFA Corporate Leadership Award for its guidance and support in the integration of Planned Parenthood’s Web tools with the HealthVault consumer health platform.

The PPFA “Walk the Talk” Award will recognize Timothy E. Wirth and the United Nations Foundation for their support of expanded access to sexual and reproductive health care worldwide. Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) will present the award to Wirth.

Christine R. Charbonneau, president/CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, will be honored with the Ruth Green Award, which is presented to a Planned Parenthood affiliate chief executive chosen by her or his peers for outstanding leadership with board volunteers in planning, public affairs, and fundraising.

The gala awards dinner is the highlight of the 2010 Planned Parenthood National Conference.