Gloria Steinem
Feminist organizer and activist Gloria Steinem will be the keynote speaker at the Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region’s (PPGMR) James Award celebration in September.
Her upcoming appearance was announced at a PPGMR reception Thursday evening at the Majestic Grille. This will be Steinem’s first public appearance in Memphis.
“We are so thrilled to be welcoming Gloria to Memphis for this event,” says Ashley Coffield, President and CEO of PPGMR. “While reproductive health providers across the country, and certainly here in Tennessee, are facing more intimidation and political opposition, the need for our services is only escalating — as is the resolve and generosity of our supporters. Gloria’s message is more relevant now than ever in Memphis.”
The James Award ceremony, which this year will also mark PPGMR’s 75th anniversary, will be held on September 15th at the Hilton Memphis (939 Ridge Lake). Each year, the James Award (named in honor of former Memphis City Councilman/PPGMR supporter Bob James) is presented to a Mid-Southerner who has shown “unwavering support to the ideals of Planned Parenthood.”
Honorees will include Representative Johnnie Turner (D-Memphis) and attorney and former PPGMR Board member Eddie Kaplan.
“We can think of no more deserving individuals for these honors than Rep. Turner and Mr. Kaplan,” said PPGMR Board Chair Barbara Newman. “The passion, courage, creativity, and hard work that they have demonstrated in supporting Planned Parenthood over the past several decades are an inspiration to us all. These awards are presented in gratitude for all that Johnnie and Eddie have done for generations of Memphis women and families.”
Rachel Ankney and Tamara Hendrix will be honored as 2016 Volunteers of the Year. Hannah Piecuch, Ema Wagner, Nora Goodman-Bryan, and Annie Vento will be recognized as the 2016 Young Volunteers of the Year.
Tickets for the James Award celebration are on sale now. For more information, call 901-725-3008 or email Grace Weil.
