Gloria Steinem, Trailblazing Feminist Icon, Speaks at Annual Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Event

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England’s annual Spring Luncheon fundraiser features a dialogue with the iconic women’s rights champion

(New Haven, Conn.) – On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) will hold its Annual Spring Luncheon at the Stamford Marriott, 243 Tresser Boulevard, Stamford, Conn. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s sold-out event will feature an interview with iconic women’s rights activist, writer and lecturer Gloria Steinem moderated by PPSNE President and CEO Amanda Skinner.

Steinem is a champion of women’s equality and a pioneer of the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s. As a writer and journalist, she has covered women’s issues including contraception, abortion, and workplace harassment for mainstream publications. Steinem co-founded Ms. magazine—a voice for women, by women—which challenged the social and family-life norms of the day. In 1971, she joined other prominent feminists, such as Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan, to form the National Women’s Political Caucus to increase the number of women in all aspects of political life. Steinem has founded numerous organizations including Voters for Choice, a pro-choice political action group that became the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in 2004. She has worked to raise awareness for breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 1986. Biography magazine named Steinem one of the “25 Most Influential Women in America”. In 2013, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Obama in recognition for her work as a leader in the women’s liberation movement.

"Gloria Steinem is a trailblazing activist who has worked tirelessly to advance the cause of women's equality for more than a generation," said Amanda Skinner, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "We are truly honored to welcome Ms. Steinem to our annual Spring Luncheon, and I look forward to a powerful discussion on the evolution of women's rights movement and the social issues we face today."

Jane Condon, a Greenwich resident and audience favorite on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, is a long-time supporter, friend and advocate of Planned Parenthood and will be hosting the event. Another feature of the Spring Luncheon is the presentation of the Community Impact Award, presented annually in recognition of an individual’s commitment to service or social action that makes a difference in their community. The 2019 Community Impact Award recipient is Erica Buchsbaum.

The 2019 Spring Luncheon is led by a volunteer committee co-chaired by Anne Goodnow of Darien, Danielle Eason, Katey Goldberg, Donna Moffly and Sheila Mossman of Greenwich, and Diane McEnroe of Stamford. Eason and Mossman are members of the PPSNE Board of Directors and Moffly is a former member of the board.

Dr. Leana Wen, the new President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, will be attending the Spring Luncheon. Dr. Wen joined Planned Parenthood in November 2018 and is the first physician in nearly 50 years to lead the organization.

All proceeds from the event support the high-quality, non-judgmental reproductive health care provided at our 17 health centers across Connecticut and Rhode Island. Each year, 75,000 patients turn to PPSNE for a range of critical, life-saving health care services, including cancer screenings, annual exams Pap tests, birth control, and STD/STI testing and treatment—regardless of their ability to pay.

Tickets are no longer available for this sold-out event, but members of the media are invited to cover the Annual Spring Luncheon.