CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) and PPIA PAC celebrate the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court ruling at its Roe v. Wade Anniversary Event, to be held virtually on Thursday, January 28. The event offers a 6:30 p.m. VIP reception with the full program beginning at 7 p.m. At the event, PPIA and PPIA PAC are presenting the Dr. Marvin Rosner Award for Lifetime Achievement to bestselling author and Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter, and honoring two Illinois organizations with the Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award: Equality Illinois, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, and Rainbow Cafe, an LGBTQ+ youth center in Carbondale, Ill. In addition to speeches from elected officials, the audience will be treated to an "Ask the Sexpert" panel, featuring Dr. Gunter, relationship therapist Dr. Donna Oriowo, and Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) educator Cary Archer. The panel is moderated by Chicago drag entertainer Lucy Stoole. Tickets to the PPIA/PPIA PAC Roe v. Wade Anniversary Event range from $50 to $125 and are available at bit.ly/roe2021.
"Even though we are gathering virtually to celebrate this year, we are bringing the same energy and enthusiasm toward continued legislative success, including the passage of the Responsible Education for Adolescent and Children's Health (REACH) Act which will ensure young people in Illinois have access to the sexual and reproductive education they need and deserve," said Co-Chair and PPIA Board Member McGhee Williams Osse. "As we work to advance our ambitious proactive 2021 policy agenda, we remain committed to protecting choice and access to reproductive health care and the rights of individuals, families, and communities across the state."
Dr. Gunter is receiving the Dr. Marvin Rosner Award for Lifetime Achievement. Gunter, who is regularly referred to as "Twitter's resident OB/GYN," has more than three decades of experience as a vulvar and vaginal diseases expert. Her New York Times and USA Today bestselling book, "The Vagina Bible," has been translated into 19 languages and The Guardian calls her "the world's most famous—and outspoken—gynecologist." The award is named for Dr. Rosner (1924-1995), a leading voice for the expansion of civil liberties, best known as a pioneer in the fight for reproductive rights and who performed the first legal abortion in Illinois in 1971.
Equality Illinois and Rainbow Care are each receiving The Phelan Profile in Courage Award which honors the men and women who illuminate the courage of Phelan. Phelan served as Cook County Board Chairman from 1990-1994 and is best known for his consistent championing of women's access to high-quality health care services during his tenure at Cook County Hospital.
The "Ask the Sexpert" panel is an opportunity for audience members to submit questions to Dr. Gunter, Dr. Oriowo, and Archer. Drag entertainer Lucy Stoole, known as Chicago's Black Bearded Beauty, is moderating the discussion, which addresses questions about intimacy, relationships, dating and more.
"We are working hard to make sure our guests and supporters feel the same PPIA energy this year even though we are celebrating from our homes," said co-chair and PPIA Board Member Chakena Perry. "We hope this is an opportunity for supporters who might not have attended in years past because of distance or other barriers to join us this year. We are excited to introduce this celebration to a whole new group of supporters."
The event co-chairs are Williams Osse and Perry. Honorary co-chairs include State Senator Celina Villanueva, State Senator Ram Villivalam, State Representative Camille Lilly, and State Representative Kathleen Willis.
Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)4 not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. PPIA engages in educational and electoral activity, including public education campaigns, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy on behalf of commonsense policies that protect and foster the sexual and reproductive health and rights of individuals, families, and communities.
Planned Parenthood Illinois Action PAC (PPIA PAC) is a non-partisan political action committee committed to electing state and local candidates who will stand up for choice and access to reproductive health care.
