Women’s rights, body liberty, and advocacy were strong themes at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s “Spring Into Action” gala last night. At the beautiful Cipriani South Street in Lower Manhattan, the event honored strong women’s health advocates and drew a crowd of famous people. Megan Thee Stallion, one of the night’s honorees, summed up the mood perfectly when she declared, “My body, my business, and I do what I want to do with it!”—a bold statement that resonated throughout the evening.
Guests arrived at Cipriani to enjoy cocktails and light bites before moving into the ballroom for dinner, which included a tri-color beet salad and branzino al forno. As the lights dimmed, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Susie Essman took the stage as the evening’s emcee, bringing her signature humor to the event. But her connection to Planned Parenthood went beyond jokes. She shared a deeply personal story, recalling how, at 16 years old, she turned to Planned Parenthood during a difficult time in her life. “I was very lucky that abortion was legal at that time,” she said, reflecting on how times have changed. “How have we gone backwards?”
Essman’s story underscored the importance of Planned Parenthood’s work, especially in the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. This critical moment in history added urgency to the night’s festivities.
The evening kicked off by honoring Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Arquette with the Champion of Change Award. Arquette shared a touching story about her early connection to the organization. “My first actual employment was with Planned Parenthood,” she said. “I was working as a peer counselor teaching other students about birth control choices and was fifteen years old.” Her address emphasized Planned Parenthood’s front-line defensive function in the battle for sexual and reproductive rights. Arquette also addressed the larger public health issue, noting that millions of Americans depend on the organization’s services to control HPV and other reproductive health issues even if legislators try to cut it out of budget.
Later in the evening, Megan Thee Stallion—honored with the Catalyst for Change Award for her vocal advocacy—shook front stage.
With her characteristic boldness, Megan declared, “I know I was placed on this earth to be more than just a musician. I have a bigger purpose to use my voice to speak out against injustice.” Her commitment to advocating for women’s rights and body autonomy has made her a vital figure in the ongoing battle for reproductive justice.
