Planned Parenthood’s Fran Fox-Pizzonia discusses the groups agenda going forward
NEWBURGH – Several women, and one man, gathered Saturday to show support for Planned Parenthood-Mid Hudson Valley as the organization unveiled its action plan for 2018 at a clinic in Newburgh.
Orange County Legislator Kevindaryan Lujan (D-Newburgh) did not mind being the one male in attendance at the forum, as he strongly supports the cause.
“I don’t think a man should ever be dictating what a woman should do with her body,” he said. “In Washington, it’s not the norm. We should be allies; we should listen to women and be present and that’s what I intend to do.”
Lujan brought local high school student Kailyn Bremmer to the forum to
gain insight on Planned Parenthood’s work in the community. She
was interested in getting involved.
“I am really excited to be invited to such an event,” Bremmer said. “I am just looking to be more aware of what’s going on.”
In light of threats from the Trump administration and a mostly conservative Congress to defund Planned Parenthood nationwide and repeal the Affordable Care Act, Vice President of Education & Public Affairs Fran Fox-Pizzonia announced a comprehensive plan to advocate for legislative action and general acceptance of the organization. This announcement was followed by a breakout session where attendees were encouraged to get involved in Planned Parenthood’s work this year.
“We have a big fight ahead of us,” said Fox-Pizzonia.
Fox-Pizzonia said Planned Parenthood receives bipartisan support generally, contrary to popular belief.
“We may have a more Democratic base, but we have support from both parties because of our support of women’s healthcare,” she said. “The challenge lies in how to reach out to those who are pro-choice and pro-women’s healthcare.”
While Planned Parenthood-Mid Hudson Valley’s action fund cannot get involved in local or state elections, they are pushing for legislative support of the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Reproductive Healthcare Act on the state level in the wake of a potential Affordable Care Act repeal.
It was also mentioned that President Trump has appointed individuals to the Department of Health and Human Services who are against what Planned Parenthood stands for. They have now set guidelines under Title X, a federally funded program that grant access to family planning support and information. The new guidelines could possibly block access to verified information and preventative care services at Planned Parenthood and similar organizations.
Attendees had the chance to hear personal stories, including those from a volunteer and employee of this chapter of Planned Parenthood.
“I wasn’t really an activist until my husband one day went
to a barbershop next to a Planned Parenthood clinic,” said Barb
Schmitt, the captain of the “I Stand with Planned Parenthood”
Monticello group. “People were holding hateful signs, and I asked
and I found out they were protesting.”
Schmitt compared the protestors to bullies. “I organize volunteers
and stand in front of the Planned Parenthood so the bullies can’t
stand in front of us,” she said. “If they try to bully, I’m
a much worse bully.”
Deborah Danzy, the community health promoter and a team leader for Planned Parenthood-Mid Hudson Valley, shared her various experiences since joining over four years ago.
“Society is not what it was when I was 18 or 19,” Danzy said. “STIs and HIV are on the rise throughout this country, so if you defund Planned Parenthood, you have more people becoming sick and we need Planned Parenthood. Mr. Trump, I’m asking you from the bottom of my heart, please continue to support Planned Parenthood.”
In the last year alone, Planned Parenthood nationwide has amassed 200,000
volunteers, held over 2,400 events, and answered a quarter-million calls.
This chapter also has seen increased support on social media. Its Facebook
page now has over 2,800 followers.
