PPMW raises more than $250,000 in ten minutes to support abortion access

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) hosted its annual Impact Gala on Friday, September 29, 2023, attracting more than 450 registrants and raising record funds to support access to essential health care services. 

“I was so incredibly heartened and inspired to be in a room full of people dedicated to the Planned Parenthood mission,” says PPMW President and CEO Dr. Laura Meyers. “With their support, PPMW can continue to grow to serve more people in more places with critically needed medical and educational services.”

One year after the Supreme Court’s decision overturned Roe v. Wade, the event brought together leaders and supporters from throughout the capital region as champions for access to reproductive and sexual health care and education.  

A major highlight was an action-packed “Fund Our Future” auction, which raised more than $252,000 for PPMW Abortion Access Fund within ten minutes. This fund supports people who might not otherwise be able to access abortion care, particularly patients traveling to PPMW health centers from states with abortion bans.

In total, the Gala raised over $500,000 dollars to support PPMW’s essential work – providing safe, compassionate, and accessible health care, no matter what.

Collective effort

Diana Bruce and Imani Ford served as co-chairs of the 2023 PPMW Impact Gala. Ford shares, “The PPMW Gala was a remarkable gathering, uniting hundreds of passionate people committed to reproductive health care. The shared enthusiasm and collective effort made it so memorable. This energy is fueling the ongoing success of PPMW.”

Director, producer, author, and advocate Tonya Lewis Lee hosted the Gala. Lee’s most recent film, Aftershock, focuses on the U.S. maternal mortality crisis. During the Gala, Lee described maternal health and access to abortion care as inextricably linked, with abortion bans catastrophically harming people who are or can become pregnant.

Honoring trailblazers

The Gala also honored four trailblazers with awards for their significant contributions to reproductive health care, access, equity, and choice.

• PPMW Ally Award: Congressman Jamie Raskin, U.S. House of Representatives
• PPMW Disruptor Award: GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer, songwriter, and performer Maggie Rogers
• PPMW Champion of Reproductive Health Award: Maryland State Senator Ariana B. Kelly
• PPMW Catalyst Award: Patient advocate Brittany House

Maggie Rogers received the Disruptor Award in recognition of how she has used her platform as an artist to boost access to the health care services Planned Parenthood provides. She has hosted local Planned Parenthood affiliates in the lobby of nearly every show she’s played, including a PPMW table at her show immediately following the Gala. Accepting the honor, she shared, “This award belongs to the volunteers that have filled the lobbies of those shows.”

Each awardee also spoke of their ongoing commitment to fighting for abortion access, education, and de-stigmatization in the years to come. In accepting his award, Rep. Raskin shared, “I will work to deserve this award every day that I’m in public life and public office.”