PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND HONORED FEARLESS LEADERS IN RHODE ISLAND’S FAITH COMMUNITIES FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN SAFEGUARDING WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE AND RIGHTS

 On November 4, PPSNE friends, advocates and supporters celebrated Honoring the Champions of Women’s Health in Providence, R.I.

(Providence, R.I.) — On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) honored three remarkable individuals from the faith communities in Rhode Island for their continued efforts safeguarding women’s health care and rights. More than 200 people celebrated the third annual event Honoring the Champions of Women’s Health; a truly special night that honored Rev. David Ames, Rev. Amy Frenze and Rabbi Peter Stein.

“What an extraordinary evening. We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support our honorees received. Our work for the more than 8,000 patients we serve at our Providence health center would not be possible without them,” said Judy Tabar President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “These champions share Planned Parenthood’s values and help us actualize our vision of reproductive justice and human rights. In partnership with these fearless leaders, we are building a future where everyone can access the information and services they need.”

Hosted by co-chairs and event sponsors Dr. Cathy Lund and Connie Worthington, Honoring the Champions of Women’s Health celebrated remarkable members of the faith communities in Rhode Island who have worked toward safeguarding women’s health.

Rev. David Ames is an ordained Episcopal minister, teacher and consultant for non-profit organizations and serves on the Clergy Advocacy Board for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Every person, regardless of race, geography or income, deserves access to safe, affordable, high quality health care,” said Ames.

Rev. Amy Frenze is an ordained minister at the United Church of Christ and is an active member of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. “I stand with Planned Parenthood, for women’s rights, and access to health care,” said Frenze.

Rabbi Peter Stein served as Rabbi in Cranston, R.I. for more than a decade and is the former chair of the Rhode Island Clergy for Choice. “I am motivated by the women in my life. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It’s a fundamental right to protect these freedoms,” said Stein.

Sister Ann Keefe, a women’s health advocate, received an emotional posthumous tribute for her life’s work. She was a member of AIDS Care Ocean State as well as the renowned team ministry at St. Michael’s parish in South Providence. She served on countless boards and commissions, including founding CityArts for Youth and the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence.

The event raised more than $95,000. All proceeds from Honoring the Champions of Women’s Health will go to care for PPSNE patients who receive high quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay. Annually, PPSNE serves more than 70,000 women, men and teens, providing a range of critical, life-saving health care services, including breast cancer screenings, Pap tests, birth control, and STD/STI testing and treatment.

For more information, visit ppsne.org.

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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.