2011 Planned Parenthood Organizing and Policy Summit!

Last week hundreds of CEOs, public affairs and policy staff, and educators from across the country connected for three days in DC for the 2011 Planned Parenthood Organizing and Policy Summit, and the Youth Organizing and Policy Conference. 400 of the best and brightest youth leaders and advocates representing the future of our movement also lobbied their elected officials, participated in engaging workshops, toured DC colleges, and had a great time meeting other like-minded youth.

Guest speakers included the Honorable John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Patrick Gaspard, executive director of the Democratic National Committee, who said, “We’re not going to let anyone defund Planned Parenthood.  Our movement draws from your movement."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid accepted his Champions of Women's Health Award from PPSN/PPRM volunteers and youth advocates Tara Brosnan, a SURJ member at UNLV, and Jordan Eglet, president of the PPSN Youth for Truth group and on the 2011 PPFA National Youth Advisory Council. Other lobby visits were made to Senator Kay Hagan, Rep. Tim Ryan, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Terri Sewell, and Illinois' very own Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk, pictured below with PPIL TAG educators.

James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, provided a rousing closing keynote about the critical role of young people in the movement for sexual health and rights. He congratulated everyone on the critical role they played this year in standing up for Planned Parenthood and for young people’s right to the education and services they need to stay healthy. He sent the crowd out fired up and ready for another year of effective advocacy and involvement!

Technorati tags: Planned Parenthood, Senator Harry Reid, Youth Organizing,