44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade raises $270,000 for Planned Parenthood Illinois

The Event: More than 1,100 supporters of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) came to City Winery in Chicago on February 2 to commemorate the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision protecting a woman’s right to choose.

Three local elected officials - Illinois State Representative Robyn Gabel of Evanston, Senator Toi Hutchinson of Chicago, and Representative Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook - were honored with the Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage award for their ‘instrumental leadership in strengthening the Illinois Contraception Coverage Act and amending the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act.’

Cause célèbre: “The rallies have been wonderful but now we have to turn the energy into action,” urged Lou Lang of Skokie, State Representative 16th district who advocated for face-to-face meetings with local elected officials whenever possible.

PPIA’s educational and electoral activities extend to grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and their work on behalf of women’s – and men’s – health is measurable. When PP clinics were shuttered in Indiana last August, an HIV outbreak ensued.

“Elected officials not of like mind with pro-choice and pro-women constituents often don’t hear from those folks, so it’s time that (these constituents) stand up and be counted,” said Lang.

 That sentiment was echoed by Robyn Gabel of Evanston, State Representative 97th district and chairman of the House Human Services Committee. “We have a lot of work to do…(and) I will continue to fight to protect women’s rights and women’s control of their own bodies, of their own healthcare and their own futures.”

“You look at events like this and you see the answer to people’s anxiety – which is activism and democracy,” said David Axelrod, chief strategist and senior advisor Obama administration. “That is what is ultimately going to make a difference.”

 Bottom Line: The event raised $270,000 for PPIA.