Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Celebrates 75 Years of Service

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Photo of Dr. Edelin

ALBANY, NY (09/29/2009)(readMedia)-- October 1st, 2009 marks the beginning of a month of events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP). A 21 foot serpentine history exhibit featuring photos and news clippings from the agency's archives will be displayed at various locations throughout the region. Pro-choice student groups are tabling and holding educational events at four local colleges. A special signature ad, featuring the signatures of hundreds of local residents voicing congratulations and support for the agency's long history of service to the community will be seen in the Times Union later this month. And on October 22, a grand celebration will be held at Franklin Plaza in Troy.

UHPP's 75th Anniversary Celebration will feature Kenneth C. Edelin, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston University and author of the memoir, Broken Justice: A True Story of Race, Sex and Revenge in a Boston Courtroom. Also at the event, the UHPP photo history exhibit will be displayed and the organization will present its prestigious Docky Award, which acknowledges a local individual for their dedication to UHPP and leadership in the struggle for reproductive choice. The Docky award is named for the agency's founder, Dr. Vosburgh and is awarded only on special occasions. The last Docky awardee was named in 1994 at the 70th anniversary celebration. Celebration sponsors include albany Medical Center, First Niagara, and Johnston Illington Advisors, LLC.

The historic UHPP photo exhibit carries the name "Controversy and Courage" and was originally created with the assistance of a longtime UHPP support and Albany volunteer Mary C. Kahl, who also wrote a book about UHPP history with the same title. It will be featured at the eba dance studio on October 1 for First Night Albany and at Albany Law School in the 2000 Building for a week beginning on Monday, October 5, 2009. For a full schedule of exhibit locations, please visit www.uhpp.org.

Student groups working with support from UHPP will be tabling on local campuses and offering information about UHPP programs, services, and long history at meetings and events. Groups have been formed at the University at Albany, RPI, Albany Medical College and Albany Law School.

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Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is a community-based non-profit organization providing advocacy, education and medical services for reproductive health care since 1934. In 2008, over 11,000 patients made 22,257 visits to UHPP health centers located in Albany, Hudson and Troy. UHPP health educators present over 500 education programs reaching over 6,000 youth and young adults each year. UHPP services are delivered with special concern for the underserved.