President Obama to Keynote Planned Parenthood’s Annual Gala

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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Dr. Ruth, Lena Dunham, Antonio Villaraigosa to Receive Awards, Estelle to Perform at Event Hosted by Rocsi Diaz of Entertainment Tonight

WASHINGTON, DC – Planned Parenthood Federation of America announced today that President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address at the organization’s annual gala dinner in Washington DC on Thursday, April 25.  The “Time For Care” dinner, attended by Planned Parenthood’s supporters and national and local leaders from across the country, will honor champions of women’s health.   

“President Obama has done more than any president in history for women’s health and rights,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  “He understands that access to birth control and preventive health care are economic issues for women and their families.  We fought alongside him to ensure that women’s health access was expanded in the landmark Affordable Care Act, and now we have to fight hard to ensure that the full promise of health care reform is realized for millions of women.  We are honored to have President Obama join us at our ‘Time for Care’ Gala at this pivotal moment for women’s health.”  

At the event, hosted by new Planned Parenthood Youth Ambassador Rocsi Diaz of Entertainment Tonight, Planned Parenthood will present the legendary Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer with PPFA’s highest honor, the Margaret Sanger Award, for her lifelong commitment to empowering women and men to talk openly and honestly about sex and sexual health. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be honored with the “Care. No Matter What.” Award for his dedication to protecting women’s health care in the City of Los Angeles. The evening will also feature a special Maggie Award for Media Excellence honoring Lena Dunham of the HBO program Girls for her realistic and honest portrayal of the complex issues facing young women today, and a special Partner of the Year Award presented to Tumblr. 

The evening will close with a performance from Atlantic Records recording artist Estelle, whose Grammy Award-winning hit single “American Boy,” and latest album “All of Me” have received international acclaim. A dedicated philanthropist, Estelle works to support women and disadvantaged youth worldwide, working through her foundation All of Me.