Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Annual Meeting and Recognition Reception Set for May 18th

ALBANY, NY (05/17/2011)(readMedia)-- Supporters and staff of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) will gather at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Albany on Wednesday, May 18th at 5:30pm for the agency's "Annual Meeting and Recognition Reception." At the event, new Board member nominees will be appointed, retiring Board members will be recognized for their contributions, and awards will be presented to exceptional agency volunteers and generous donors.

Keynote speaker for the event will be M. Tracey Brooks, the President and CEO of Family Planning Advocates of New York State. In her address, "Planned Parenthood: In the Eye of the Storm," Ms. Brooks will analyze the impact of the recent political attacks on Planned Parenthood and women's health care. She will discuss where the attacks came from and where they may be going in the future.

"The political attacks that have been levied upon Planned Parenthood are a distraction by an ineffective House Majority that is ignoring the will of the people, which is to strengthen the economy and create jobs," Brooks said. "We defeated them in the first round and the groundswell of support for Planned Parenthood will continue to push back these unfounded assaults."

At the event, Linda Leue of Albany will be named the agency's 2010 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Leue's many activities in support of the agency include lobbying, attending rallies, serving as a patient escort on days of anti-choice picketing, helping greet and guide clients to the new Albany health center offices in the first weeks after it opened, and providing office support to the Albany health center and to UHPP's Public Affairs office.

Said Leue, "It has been an honor to work for an organization that provides vital services and support for the women of our community. I believe we must be vigilant to protect Planned Parenthood from those who would limit its mission. The work I do for UHPP, I do in the name of my mother, my daughter, and all the women I love and admire."

Judith Maguire of East Greenbush will be recognized for 20 years of volunteer service at UHPP. Maguire has also served in many capacities, and most recently provided office support at the Albany health center and served as a patient escort.

Eight additional community volunteers will be recognized for contributing an exceptional number of volunteer service hours in 2010. These include: Albany residents Mr. Mathew Arnold-Lloyd, Ms. Kristin Barron, and Mr. Chris Bayley; Ms. Gloria Rodgers of Troy; Ms. Susan Heartquist and Mr. Norman Osofsky of Hudson; Ms. Stancia Cramer of Athens; and RPI student Ms. Tricia Kent.

Cathie Love of Loudonville and Carol Stenger of Albany will be given special recognition by UHPP for their work as co-chairs of Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, Upper Hudson chapter. This volunteer-based group works to encourage and support pro-choice candidates for electoral office.

According to UHPP President & CEO Patricia McGeown, "Our agency's ability to provide critical preventive health care services and medically accurate sex education is increasingly under attack by extreme conservative members of Congress and jeopardized by budget cuts. In these times, it is so important to have elected officials who understand the importance of our mission and who will work to protect access to women's health care. PPANY's work, therefore, is essential. We are tremendously grateful for the time and energy invested by these two women leaders, and to all those from the local area who have participated as PPANY members and supporters."

At the Annual Meeting portion of the event, Board members will vote on eight new Board nominees to join the UHPP Board of Directors: Mr. Matthew Arnold-Lloyd (Albany), Ms. Marie Chery-Sekhobo (Albany), Dr. Ellen Cole (Albany), Ms. Jill Rafferty-Weinisch (Troy), Mr. Darius Shahinfar (Albany), Ms. Deborah Blackburn Shakotko (Hudson), Ms. Carol Stenger (Glenmont) and Ms. Ann Umlauf (Rensselaer).

The following six retiring Board members will also be recognized for their service: Rabbi Donald Cashman (Albany), Mr. Jack Mahoney (Albany), Dr. Tanya Mays (Hudson), Ms. Joann Nanos (Latham), Ms. Whitney Phelps (Delmar), and Dr. Jean Poppei (Wynantskill).

Finally, UHPP will honor longtime donors who have contributed over $25,000 to the agency. The following will be inducted as UHPP Lifetime Trustees: The Sidney and Beatrice Albert Foundation and Ms. Thalia and Mr. Isadore Cassuto from Chatham, Mr. Matthew Bender from Menands, Mrs. Ruth and Mr. William Brooks from Delmar, Ms. Sherry Gold from Slingerlands, Ms. Patricia A. McGeown and Mr. Donald Walker from Slingerlands, Reverends Margaret and James Miller from Niskayuna, and The Wright Family Foundation from Schenectady.

UHPP has been serving Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene Counties for over 77 years. The mission of UHPP is to promote healthy sexuality and reproductive choice through exceptional service, honest education, and fearless advocacy.

Further information about the event can be obtained by calling 434-5678 x 140 or emailing info@uhpp.org.