Planned Parenthood hosted its 34th Annual Dallas Awards on Wednesday, November 20th at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House honoring Cecile Richards, national leader for women’s rights and social and economic justice, and daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards.
Cecile received the Planned Parenthood Gertrude Shelburne Humanitarian Award presented by Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas President and CEO, Ken Lambrecht. Ellen Richards accepted the award in her sister’s honor. Cecile had received a phone call Friday before the event inviting her to the White House for President Biden to present her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. So, while she was in Washington, Cecile’s presence was felt at The Winspear by Wednesday’s attendees in spirit and through video.
Co-chairs, Jessica Bass Bolander, Missy Rogers Peck and Abby Miller Evans promised a hopeful morning and the theme was flawlessly carried out from the moment guests were greeted with an enormous floral sculpture spelling out HOPE. Audra Scott opened the presentations with a rousing performance of Brave by Sara Bareilles.
Speakers included Dr. Austin Dennard, Dallas OB-GYN who told her moving story about having to flee Texas to receive medical care. The morning featured a conversation moderated by Gloria Campos Brown with Darren Walker, President of Ford Foundation, the $16 billion international social justice philanthropy. Under his leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first non-profit in US history to issue a $1 billion designated social bond to stabilize non-profit organizations in the wake of COVID-19.care. Walker closed his comments with the morning’s message of hope.
While throughout the event, there were tears, guests left with renewed optimism that with the generosity and support of communities like Dallas, Planned Parenthood will continue to deliver quality, compassionate healthcare.
For more than 85 years, Texans have trusted Planned Parenthood to provide healthcare from expert clinicians, medically-accurate, inclusive sex education from professional educators, and an enduring commitment to restoring and expanding access to healthcare for the communities who need it most. Planned Parenthood provides these services to everyone who needs them, no matter their income, insurance or immigration status, who they are, where they live, or who they love. While abortion services are not available at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, health centers are open and scheduling appointments for essential reproductive healthcare.