Interns Go Pink at Planned Parenthood Rally

by Alice Thompson, a Winter/Spring intern

My fellow interns Sergio, Brianna and I got to show our support for women’s health, Planned Parenthood, and the color pink at the Planned Parenthood Federation for America Stand Up for Women’s Health Rally this Thursday.

“This rally is for any woman who has ever found a lump, any woman who has ever had an abnormal pap smear, and any woman who has needed birth control,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, to the crowd. “Today is our day!”

Planned Parenthood organized the event to garner support in the fight against Congress’ threats to completely cut the organization’s Title X funding. Title X funds are used to provide pelvic exams, breast exams, sex education and family planning to low-income communities. The amendment to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood passed the House in February, and has become central to the current budget debate that may lead to a government shutdown.

A number of influential voices provided rallying cries against the proposed cuts. Academy Award nominee Ed Harris spoke about what the future would look like for his 17-year-old daughter without access to health care. But Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, quelled the fears of the crowd when he said, “These cuts will never, never, NEVER pass in the Senate!” Then, as if to assure us that he meant it, he repeated it.

At one particularly heart-wrenching moment, patient Carolyn Smithers, standing beside her daughter Taylor, said Planned Parenthood saved her life when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at one of their clinics at age 19. Smithers has recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, and said she relied on Planned Parenthood not only for her own future, but for the future of her daughters.

Finally, our very own Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, delivered a powerful message on the strength of Planned Parenthood’s supporters. “We are proud to stand with all of you today to fight for women’s rights and make sure that women have access to the health care they need and deserve,” Henderson said. “Denying women access to health care is just a means to an end. The truth is that the politicians who are threatening your health care and trying to defund Planned Parenthood are doing so for one simple reason: They are afraid of you!”

Other headliners included Senator Barbara Boxer, D. Calif., President of the ACLU Anthony D. Romero, and David Eisenberg from Sex and the City. Eisenberg said, “I care about women’s health because, you know, I worked with a few girls once.”

The event served as both a tribute to the vital services that Planned Parenthood continues to provide for women across the country, as well as a kick off to the ongoing fight for women’s rights.

Check out a rundown of the rally on Planned Parenthood’s Truth Tour blog.