Society / Featured Parties

Planned Parenthood Sees Record Support in Houston: Women Urged to Fight Back

BY // 03.03.17

It was a record-setting luncheon when more than 2,300 supporters of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast packed the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom for the fundraiser celebrating the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Close to $600,000 was raised by those fighting to protect the broad spectrum of health care offered to women and men at Planned Parenthood clinics across the state.

Leading the charge was Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, who applauded the gathering, one of the largest in Planned Parenthood’s 100 years of health care service to women. She credited the recent political attacks against the organization to the large turnout.

Equality for women and reproductive rights were paramount in the spirited luncheon where keynote speaker former State Sen. Wendy Davis, wearing a pink knit Women’s March on Washington hat, challenged the crowd to get involved in local governments and demand respect for women’s rights and the public health services provided by Planned Parenthood. as the conclusion of her remarks, the crowd rose to its feet in applause and singing out “Stand up, fight back.”

The exceptional turnout included chairs Linwood Olson and Kristen Olson Lyons; plus Sarah Weddington, Roe v. Wade winning attorney, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast board chair Mike Nichols and wife Marcia, Amber Mostyn, Kathryn Rabinow, Nancy McGregor Manne and Neil Manne, Sima Ladjevardian, Lillie Schechter, Poppi Massey, Becca Cason Thrash, Sallie Morian, Susan Kennedy, Diana Strassmann and Jeff Smisek.

Elected officials turned out in force including Mayor Sylvester Turner, former Mayor Annise Parker, City Controller Chris Brown, Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, State Rep. Al Green and city council members Amanda Edwards, David Robinson and Dwight Boykins.

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