At the Planned Parenthood of Southern New England’s recent annual spring luncheon at the Marriott in Stamford, more than $525,000 was raised. The luncheon was the signature fundraising event for the organization, and was attended by more than 500 Planned Parenthood friends, advocates and supporters.
Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor and legal correspondent for Slate magazine, was the benefit’s keynote speaker. She shared with friends and guests her expertise on the United States Supreme Court.
Lithwick reflected with candor, humor and optimism about how future decisions will be influenced by the three women Justices on the Court. She said that these women can and do impact the opinions of their colleagues on the Court, especially in regard to reproductive health cases.
Nicole Heath, Karen Mehra and Valerie Wayne. Contributed photo
The PPSNE Spring Luncheon was co-chaired by Greenwich residents Erica Buchsbaum, Julie Church, Danielle Eason, Mary Shaw Halsey Marks, Donna Moffly and Sheila Mossman. The sold-out event of more than 500 people included notable guests, such as Cynthia Blumenthal and Reverend Jim Lemler of Christ Church Greenwich. Moreover, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Congressman Jim Himes took time to share words of continued support of Planned Parenthood. This is comedian Jane Condon’s second consecutive year as the host for the event.
Lithwick began her career at a family law firm in Reno, Nevada and joined Slate as an editor and writer in 1999. She writes the “Supreme Court Dispatches” and “Jurisprudence” columns for Slate; is a contributing editor for Newsweek; and a frequent guest on “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Her work has appeared in The New Republic, The New York Times, ELLE and The Washington Post.
“Throughout history, nine men have decided women’s reproductive rights. It’s historical to have three women on the Court at the same time,” Lithwick said. “Their voices are needed and appreciated more than ever.”
President and CEO Judy Tabar with Greenwich resident Marie-France Kern who received the Community Impact Award in appreciation of her support of Planned Parenthood from PPSNE
The Community Impact Award – awarded annually to a leader who actively promotes the Planned Parenthood vision of reproductive health and human rights – was presented to Marie-France Kern. She has been a PPSNE supporter for more than 20 years; has worked on the board of Kids In Crisis in Greenwich, and is involved with Echoing Green, a global nonprofit that provides funding and technical assistance to those with ideas for social change.
A second award, the Everyday Hero, was presented to Allison Lomas, in appreciation for her nearly 20 years of service to PPSNE patients. She said she was “so proud” of the care she provided to patients in the greater-Stamford area, and felt like she has made a difference.
All proceeds from the annual spring luncheon go directly to care for PPSNE patients who receive high quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay. Annually, PPSNE serves nearly 70,000 women, men and young people, providing a range of critical, life-saving health care services, including breast cancer screenings, Pap tests, birth control, and STD/STI testing and treatment.
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s largest providers of family planning and reproductive health care services. Since 1923, PPSNE has evolved into an organization with 18 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, delivering care to nearly 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive.