Statement by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Ludwig P. Gaines, Director of African American Leadership and Engagement, on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
“Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is proud to celebrate the historic unveiling and dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on October 16, 2011,” said Cecile Richards, president of PPFA. “Dr. King worked tirelessly in the fight against racial injustice and inequality in employment, education, housing, and voting rights. He also championed access to quality health care and said in 1966, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.
“In 1966, Planned Parenthood presented Dr. King with the PPFA Margaret Sanger Award, the organization’s highest honor, for his leadership and dedication to furthering reproductive health and rights.
“With the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, our country is a step closer to the realization of his dream of a health care system that is more equitable and accessible for African Americans and others, who experience higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, cervical cancer, and sexually transmitted infections, compared to whites.
“We are proud that Ludwig P. Gaines, the director of African American leadership and engagement at PPFA, will be a speaker at the Rally and March on Washington organized by the National Action Network on Saturday, October 15. Planned Parenthood is committed to ending disparities in health care, and will continue to work tirelessly to provide affordable, high-quality care to millions of women, men, and young adults who need it. More than 90 percent of the health services provided at Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide are preventive in nature, including lifesaving breast exams, Pap tests, contraception, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and physical exams at an affordable cost.”
Ludwig P. Gaines, Director of African American Leadership and Engagement:
“Planned Parenthood commemorates this historic dedication and will continue to fight to make health care accessible and affordable to all Americans, regardless of their race or ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation, income, or neighborhood. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial will remind the millions that visit it of his dedication to social justice and equality, and hopefully inspire each of us to do our part to ensure that Dr. King’s dream is fulfilled.”
Source
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Contact
Planned Parenthood Federation of America media office: 212-261-4433
Published
October 14, 2011