Planned Parenthood Honors Rep. Eliot Engel for Leadership on International Women's Health and Rights

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) honored Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) for his longtime work as a women’s health champion at a reception on Capitol Hill this evening.

As chair of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Engel has been a leader on global issues, including those that matter most to women and families.

“Rep. Engel is a strong and tireless advocate for women’s health and rights, both domestically and internationally,” said Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards. “We thank him for his leadership, celebrate his commitment, and are honored to work with him on these critical issues. As one of the most internationally minded members of Congress, Rep. Engel has visited scores of countries and seen firsthand the need to make women’s health a priority across the globe.”
 
“I am deeply honored by this recognition and would like to thank Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the PPFA president, Cecile Richards, for this tribute and for all of the hard work they do for women around the world. I strongly believe in a woman’s right to choose and will continue to work towards a day when women across the world are able to control their own bodies without interference,” said Rep. Engel.

Also at the reception were distinguished guests, including Glenda Morean-Phillip, the ambassador to the U.S. from Trinidad and Tobago; Dr. Jacqueline Sharp, president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and president of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago; and leadership of the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, including President Esther Vicente from Puerto Rico; Vice-President Carlos Welti from Mexico; Treasurer Raúl Hoeckle from Paraguay, and Secretary Andrea Cohen from Canada.

Planned Parenthood understands the importance of engaging in global reproductive health issues, and works in countries throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa to provide support to local movements that promote recognition of reproductive rights. Planned Parenthood works both at home and abroad to improve access to health care for women around the globe.

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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 700 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.