The New York Society for Ethical Culture will proudly present the Ethical Humanist Award to Planned Parenthood on Friday, September 30th. The Award, established in 1970 but only presented 20 times, honors “an individual who has acted with extraordinary moral courage, without regard for the sanction or acclaim of his or her peers or of society, and whose actions have had broad humanizing implications.” This year marks the first time the Ethical Humanist Award is being given to an organization rather than an individual, marking the moral courage and tenacity of so many who—for over 100 years—have been fighting for women’s health and well-being. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.

Accepting on behalf of Planned Parenthood will be Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF). Ms. Laguens’ work is extremely noteworthy in its own right. Among her achievements, besides shaping the organizations’ message and strategy, she led the successful campaign to defeat the Pence amendment, which would have eliminated funding for Planned Parenthood’s preventive health care services; she successfully worked to help reverse the Susan G. Komen for the Cure decision to stop providing grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates.

September 30th will also celebrate the Supreme Court ruling of 5-3 that Texas cannot place restrictions on the delivery of abortion services that create an undue burden for women seeking an abortion. The evening will feature, in addition to the award presentation itself, a short video about the work of Planned Parenthood, and a moderated panel discussion entitled: “The Politicizing of Women’s Health and Sexuality: What Can We Do About It?” The panel includes:

— Stephanie Toti, Senior Counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights
— Jen Dalvin, Director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
— Katie McDonough, Journalist for Salon and Fusion.net
— Sara Hutchinson Ratcliffe, Domestic Program Director, Catholics For Pro Choice
— Dr. Tanya Ohly, OB/GYN, Physicians for Reproductive Health

Following the award presentation will be a cocktail reception for Dawn Laguens and our panelists, including a “speak out” from many of the well-known attendees. Catering, in keeping with the values of Ethical Culture, will be by the Fortune Society.

Join New York Society for Ethical Culture on Friday, September 30 at 7pm to honor Planned Parenthood. Tickets are available at ethicalhumanistaward.eventbrite.com. The event will be live-streamed and accessible from the NY Society website at ethical.nyc.