Planned Parenthood Holds Annual Honolulu Gala to Mark 50 Years in Hawaii and 100 Years in the United States
For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2016
PRESS RELEASE FOR: Friday, April 29, 2016
CONTACT: Hawaii Public Affairs Manager: Laurie Field, 808-382-1107;
Communications Specialist: Erik Houser, 206-861-7514
Planned Parenthood Holds Annual Honolulu Gala to Mark 50 Years in Hawaii and 100 Years in the United States
Former Board of Education Member Nancy J. Budd Presented with Community Leadership Award
Honolulu – This week, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands (PPGNHI) held Planned Parenthood’s annual Hawaii gala reception and dinner at the Royal Hawaiian. The gala on Wednesday, April 27 raised funds to benefit Planned Parenthood’s clinical care, education programs, and advocacy efforts across the state. 2016 is an important year for Planned Parenthood, marking the organization’s 50th year in Hawaii and 100th year nationwide.
At the gala former State of Hawaii Board of Education member Nancy J. Budd was presented with the Marilyn Lee Community Leadership Award to recognize her leadership last year in passing Board Policy 103.5, the landmark rule that required Hawaii public schools to teach comprehensive and medically accurate sexual health education. The award is named in honor of former state representative Marilyn Lee, who demonstrated political courage and leadership in protecting the rights of Hawaii’s women and girls during her 16-year tenure as a legislator and the organizer of the Women’s Legislative Caucus. Prior to the passage of policy 103.5, Hawaii was one of just ten states that did not require at least some form of sexual health education.
“Hawaii has long been a leader for reproductive and sexual health, and Nancy Budd and her colleagues on the Board of Education continued that legacy last year. Thanks to her leadership, students across Hawaii now have access to the information they need on safe sex and healthy relationships, insuring healthier teens and a healthier state,” said Chris Charbonneau, CEO of PPGNHI. “At a time when states across the country are doing all they can to reduce access to sex ed and reproductive health care, Hawaii is standing strong and expanding access. Planned Parenthood’s patients and providers are thankful for the passionate support that public officials in Hawaii have shown for access to essential reproductive care and education.”
Earlier this month, the Hawaii legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 85, a resolution affirming Hawaii’s support for Planned Parenthood and denouncing violence against abortion providers and patients.
Finally, tribute at the gala was given to the late Bette Takahashi, long-time supporter and former Board President of Planned Parenthood of Hawaii. The Takahashi family was in attendance to recognize Bette’s involvement and the impact of her support over the years.
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Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands is the region's leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. The organization operates 28 health centers in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, and Western Washington and provides medical services and sexuality education for thousands of women, men, and teenagers each year. Planned Parenthood is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and relies heavily on charitable donations to ensure our patients' ability to determine their own destinies and receive the health care they need.