Planned Parenthood

HBCU ORGANIZING
TOOLKIT

Table of Contents
About Us  2 Building a GenAction Chapter at an HBCU10

What We Value 3 What is an HBCU 10

Our Vision 3 Identifying Student Leaders & Chapter Advisors 10

The HBCU Program 3 Tactics to Overcome Barriers 11

Reproductive Justice4 Engaging Other Identities on Campus 13

Planned Parenthood History6 Annual Peaks Calendar16

Reproductive Health Among Champion of Reproductive Health Award17

College-Aged Students8
About Us
Planned Parenthood Federation Planned Parenthood
of America Generation Action

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGenAction)
is the national umbrella organization for Planned is a movement of young people across identities and
Parenthood affiliates, the nation’s leading providers issues that organizes with, by, and for their generation
and advocates of high-quality, affordable health in order to achieve reproductive freedom; led by the
care for women, men, and young people, as well national Youth Organizing Team (the “Youth Squad”) at
as the nation’s largest providers of sex education. Planned Parenthood Action Fund which leverages their
With approximately 600 health centers across the expertise in youth organizing, leadership development,
country, Planned Parenthood affiliates serve all voter engagement programs, and infrastructure
patients with care and compassion, with respect building to motivate, empower, train, and provide
and without judgment. Through health centers, resources to support young people, affiliates, and
programs in schools and communities, and online partners in building power nationally.
resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source
of reliable health information that allows people to To ensure that young people’s lives are at the center
make informed health decisions. of our movement, our key priorities are: inclusivity,
fighting abortion stigma, trans inclusion, elections,
Together with a staff of experts in medicine, sexual and movement and power building.
health, advocacy, communications, and law, these
leaders offer a strong vision and common sense
solutions designed to protect adults’ and teens’ health Planned Parenthood
and safety while maintaining our basic human rights. Black Organizing Program

We deeply engage the Black community to realize Planned

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Parenthood’s mission of Care No Matter What. Black
people make up 16 percent of Planned Parenthood’s
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund and local annual patient population, over 395,000 patients or one-
advocacy organizations are social welfare organizations, sixth of our patient base. We ensure that Black voices
also known as “501(c)(4) organizations” or “c4s.” are being heard and seen in every facet of our work. The
Planned Parenthood c4s largely focus on the same goal of Planned Parenthood’s Black Organizing Program
things as c3s — education, advocacy and lobbying is to develop a strong, integrated volunteer infrastructure
on issues related to reproductive health. The main among Black communities that shifts political power in this
difference between Planned Parenthood c3s and c4s moment while meeting urgent needs for communities.
are that the c4s don’t provide health care, but they Tactics include collaborative organizing in elections,
can do unlimited lobbying, and are allowed to do federal fights, building capacity, and people power.
some electoral work. That means they can encourage
people to vote pro-reproductive health and even to Driving Theory of Change: We will support and uplift
vote for certain politicians, but that work is a small the political and social power of Black communities
fraction of their overall program, and is subject to through advocacy and organizing, education, and
other rules. resource distribution. In turn, we will build an equitable,
sustainable and inclusive movement that: centers those
who are most affected; protects and expands avenues for
access to care; and attains reproductive freedom for all.

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What We Value Our Vision

We are inclusive of all genders, a diverse range of The reproductive rights movement is led by the largest
backgrounds, and communities impacted by reproductive and most diverse generation of young people — actively
health injustices. We advocate for Planned Parenthood shaping a world where full access to reproductive health
health centers to provide crucial health services, care, including abortion, is a lived reality for all.
including abortion, to all people. We encourage our
communities to practice positive and proactive political To view the full PP Generation Action Toolkit please contact
actions by participating in the democratic process at your local organizer. Contact [email protected] to
the local, state, and federal levels. We develop young receive the most up to date version of the toolkit.
leaders to build across movements, identities, and
issues to harness our collective power and effect change
in our communities more effectively.

The HBCU Program

Since their inception, Historically Black Colleges & Universities have served as a pillar of hope, excellence, and pride
for the Black community. Planned Parenthood’s Historically Black College & University Program provides an authentic
pathway that centers the lived experiences of the student body. Our goal is to build a network of passionate leaders
who are committed to reproductive freedom for all. We partner with Planned Parenthood affiliates to provide
resources and support and organize best practices for students to lead local advocacy initiatives on reproductive
health care, social justice, and political engagement. We equip students with the tools to empower themselves,
create tangible change on campus, and educate their communities.

The HBCU Program is a partnership between Planned Parenthood Generation Action and Planned Parenthood’s
Black Organizing Program.

HBCU Regions

Existing PP HBCU Program Chapters

States with HBCUs

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Reproductive Justice
The fight for reproductive freedom is intimately connected to economic justice, civil rights, LGBTQ equality, and
immigration reform, among other battles. While Planned Parenthood is not a reproductive justice organization, we
recognize that we have a responsibility to honor the history and contributions of reproductive justice leaders and
apply a reproductive justice frame to our work.

Defining Reproductive Justice Defining Intersectionality

SisterSong, the national women of color justice For us to live in that world where all folks have the right
collective, defines Reproductive Justice as the human and access to the health care they deserve and need,
right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have we must approach all facets of our work through an
children, not have children, and parent the children we intersectional lens.
have in safe and sustainable communities. Reproductive
justice will be achieved when all people have the social, The term intersectionality was coined by Kimberlé
political, and economic power and resources to make Crenshaw, a Black civil rights activist and legal scholar.
healthy decisions about their gender, bodies, sexuality, Intersectionality can be defined as the interconnected
and families for themselves and their communities. nature of identities (such as race, class, and gender)
creating interdependent systems of oppression.
Reproductive justice is a framework to transform power Intersectionality acknowledges that markers of one’s
inequities and create long-term systemic change, and identity (e.g. “female” and “black”) do not exist in a
therefore relies on the leadership of communities hit vacuum — each informs the others. Beyond the academic
hardest by reproductive oppression. Reproductive term, intersectionality is a lived experience and a
justice recognizes that all individuals are part of families way to think about identity and its relation to power.
and communities and that our strategies must lift up
entire communities to support individuals.

People have been doing the work of reproductive

justice throughout our movement’s history. However,
the term reproductive justice was first coined in 1994.

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Core Elements of Working alongside the RJ community
Reproductive Justice requires action:

• Rooted in a human rights framework. • Show up in solidarity with our social

movement partners.
• Intersectional: examines how multiple systems of
oppression come to bear on an issue and the impact • Embrace feedback and criticism as we continue
on multiple targeted communities. to grow.

• Focused on the control and regulation of gender, • Listen to the experiences of communities
body, sexuality, and families. most marginalized.

• Works towards social change at individual, community, • Educate ourselves.

institutional, and societal levels, recognizing that
work at all levels has to happen at the same time. • Share resources and power.

• Strengthens and is accountable to the leadership of

communities most affected.
Follow some of our RJ partners on Instagram
• Links individuals to community. to keep up with the work they are doing!

• Creates systemic change that has a transformative Sister Song: @sistersong_woc

impact on the lives of people by changing the nature
of power in our communities. URGE: @urge_org

Again, Planned Parenthood is a reproductive health National Network of Abortion Funds: @abortionfunds
and rights organization — not a Reproductive Justice
organization. But it is our role to be an ally to the SPARK: @sparkrjnow
reproductive justice community.

“The concept of Reproductive Justice began to take shape when members of a

women of color delegation returned from the 1994 International Conference on
Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt. Shortly after, a group of African
American women caucused at the Illinois Pro-Choice Alliance Conference in Chicago.
The group became known as Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice.
They decided to devise a strategy to challenge the proposed healthcare reform
campaign by the Clinton Administration that did not include guaranteeing access
to abortion. Not wanting to use the language of ‘choice’ because they represented
communities with few real choices, they integrated the concepts of reproductive
rights, social justice and human rights to launch the term ‘Reproductive Justice.’
Their signature ad in the Washington Post debuted the term reproductive justice
in 1994.”
— Loretta Ross, A History of Reproductive Justice
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Planned Parenthood History
Didn’t Margaret Sanger support
What about the Negro Project?
“Black genocide?”

• No. This is not true. In fact, PolitiFact gave this claim • In 1939, Sanger, under the newly merged Birth
its worst rating — “Pants on Fire” and ReWire’s Imani Control Federation of America, formed The Negro
Gandy wrote an exhaustive piece debunking the false Project with the support of Black community leaders
narratives around Margaret Sanger. who made up an advisory committee, and previously
supported her efforts in Harlem. Sanger intended for
• Margaret Sanger advocated for women and their the Negro Project to help Black people have better
ability to decide whether and when to have children. access to safe contraception and to maintain birth
Her work was built on defending women’s rights and control services in their community through the help
providing access to quality reproductive health care. of Black clinicians and clergy.

• Sangers’ words have been co-opted by anti- • The Negro Project was co-opted by the white,
reproductive rights forces to create the false racist, male leadership of the Birth Control
narrative that Planned Parenthood contributes Federation of America and became something
to “Black genocide.” Providing access to very different from Sanger’s vision, which was
contraceptives — which Sanger and many Black to ensure that Black communities supported the
leaders supported — is not a form of genocide. health clinics in their neighborhoods.

• It is unconscionable to use racial oppression to • Under the direction of the Birth Control Federation
push policies that would block Black people from of America and Dr. Robert Seibels, the chairman of
exercising their reproductive rights. the Committee on Maternal Welfare of the South
Carolina Medical Association, the project’s approach
Wasn’t Margaret Sanger involved with to dispensing contraceptives was indifferent to the
the American eugenics movement? needs of the community, paternalistic, and racist.

• Margaret Sanger was a eugenicist — she did not Does Planned Parenthood defend or reject
support Black genocide. Sanger did support stifling Margaret Sanger and her legacy?
population growth through sterilization of people
who were mentally ill or physically disabled, but she • Planned Parenthood was founded on the belief
openly opposed applying eugenic ideals based on that a person’s ability to plan for their futures is
race or ethnicity. That is despicable. Any form of fundamental to their ability to access opportunities —
eugenics is hateful, unjust, and does not belong in and that still holds true today. The fact is, Margaret
the reproductive health and rights movement. Sanger did hold eugenics beliefs that we denounce,
and no person with those views should be hailed as
• Sanger’s goal was to ensure that all women had a leader in any movement.
access to contraceptives so that they could decide
when to have a child and her efforts extended to the • This history of Planned Parenthood is about more
Black community — In 1930 she opened a health clinic than one woman, and we do not hold her up as the
in Harlem that was staffed by a Black physician and a sole early crusader for reproductive rights. Margaret
Black social worker to provide safe birth control. Sanger did this work alongside others — too many of
whom were not, and continue to not be, recognized.
• The clinic was supported by Black leaders like W.E.B
Du Bois; Mary McLeod Bethune — the founder of the • That’s why, as an organization, we have been
National Council of Negro Women — and later by intentional in our efforts to address our history
Malcolm X. It was also endorsed by the city’s leading more accurately — such as renaming the Margaret
Black newspaper, The Amsterdam News, and by the Sanger awards and being transparent about how
Abyssinian Baptist Church and the Urban League. we are reconciling our history.

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 • Planned Parenthood denounces hate and bigotry Q: Why are there high rates of abortion
in all forms. We are committed to health equity among Black women?
for all communities as we continue to grow, and
learn. We stand in opposition to racism and are • Nearly one in four women will have an abortion in
proud to serve all people with high-quality health her lifetime. And Black women are over two and
care, regardless of race, gender, identity, sexual half times more likely to need an abortion than
orientation, or immigration status. non-Hispanic white women. High rates of abortion
are often related to poverty, as well as racial and
Does Planned Parenthood build the economic bias in health care.
majority of its abortion centers in
Black neighborhoods? • Black women face multiple, systemic barriers to
quality, affordable health care — a lack of access to
• No. A study on the misleading claim that most family planning information and contraception can
abortion clinics are located in predominantly Black lead to higher rates of both unintended pregnancy
or Hispanic neighborhoods was published in 2014 and abortion. Abortion is health care. It is a common
by the Guttmacher Institute. experience that should not be shamed, judged, or
seen as a right for specific communities.
• The report notes one in 10 abortion clinics are located in
predominantly Black neighborhoods. Currently, six in • Historically, Black communities have not had the
ten abortion providers are located in neighborhoods legal right to control their own bodies, and thus
where the population is majority white. the power to decide their own futures. Today, even
with Roe, abortion restrictions impact Black people
• As of January 2020, 57% of Planned Parenthood more than other groups due to structural barriers to
health centers were located in areas with a shortage of health care such as racial discrimination, economic
health professional, rural, or medically underserved inequality, and lack of health insurance coverage.
areas. Only about four percent of Planned Parenthood
health centers that provide abortion services are • Black communities deserve access to sexual and
located in communities where more than one-third reproductive health care — unbiased and non-
of the population is Black. judgmental — so they can thrive and achieve healthy
empowered lives. This includes having equitable
• Our health centers serve over 395,000 Black patients access to abortion.
each year. At Planned Parenthood, we trust Black
women, and all people, to make their own decisions
about their bodies and their pregnancies, because Additional Resources:
we know that the freedom to plan your future —
including if and when to have children — is key to • Rewire News: Fighting Black Anti-Choice
everyone’s success. Campaigns: Trust Black Women

• We are proud to see patients regardless of • Rewire News: How False Narratives of Margaret
income, insurance, gender identity, sexual Sanger Are Being Used to Shame Black Women
orientation, disability, or immigration status.
• Politifact: Cain claims Planned Parenthood founded
• Planned Parenthood is committed to health equity for “planned genocide”
for Black communities across the country for
healthy, safe, and empowered lives — and we’re • TIME: What Margaret Sanger Really Said About
dedicated to ensuring that as many people as Eugenics and Race
possible have access to high-quality, affordable
sexual and reproductive health care. • Vox: “Abortion as black genocide”: inside the black
anti-abortion movement

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Reproductive Health Among College-Aged
Black Folks
Rates of sexually transmitted infections reached a record high in 2018. Black college-aged students are
disproportionately affected by STIs, including HIV. And STI rates are highest in southern states where the
vast majority of HBCUs are located. We need to ensure that students are equipped with the information they
need to educate their communities and protect themselves.

STI Rates Among Young Black Folks

Chlamydia

The highest rate of chlamydia incidence is in the Black community. Among Black women specifically, the rate
of chlamydia is 5 times higher than for non-Hispanic white women.

• Among Black female adolescents from ages 10-19, the reported cases of chlamydia are 4.5 times higher
than non-Hispanic white female adolescents and women of the same age group.

• Among Black women ages 20-24, the reported cases of chlamydia are 3.6 times the rate of white women of
the same age group.

• Among Black men, the rates of chlamydia are 8.9 times the rate of white men of the same age group, 15-19,
and 5 times the rate in age groups, 20-24.

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 Gonorrhea

The highest rate of gonorrhea incidence is in the Black community. Among Black women specifically, the rate of
gonorrhea is 6.9 times higher than for non-Hispanic white women.

• Among Black female adolescents from ages 10-19, the reported cases of gonorrhea are 9.3 times higher
than non-Hispanic white female adolescents and women of the same age group.

• Among Black women ages 20-24, the reported cases of gonorrhea are 7.4 times the rate of white women
of the same age group.

• Among Black men ages 20-24, the reported cases of gonorrhea are 9.3 times higher than non-Hispanic
white men of the same age group.

• Among Black men ages 25-29, the reported cases of gonorrhea are 7.3 times higher than non-Hispanic
white men of the same age group.

Primary & Secondary Syphilis

The highest reported rates of primary & secondary syphilis incidence are in the Black community, with 33.7% of
reported cases in 2017 occurring among Black individuals. Among Black women specifically, the rate of primary &
secondary syphilis is 5.2 times higher than for non-Hispanic white women.* *Age breakdown not available

HIV/AIDS

• Black women constitute the largest proportion of new HIV cases (58% in 2018), with transmission occurring
largely from vaginal intercourse.

• The rate of Black women with a new diagnosis of HIV is 14 times the rate of non-Hispanic white women.

• Regionally, 63% of new diagnoses in the Black population are concentrated in the Southern U.S., with the
ten states with the highest populations of Black individuals accounting for 67% of all HIV cases nationally.

STIs

• Syphilis cases have more than doubled between 2000 and 2013, with 75 percent of this increase occurring
in men having sex with men (MSM).

• *Black trans folks are disproportionately diagnosed with HIV in comparison to Latinx and White trans folks.

• MSM make up for more than half of all new HIV cases each year.

• MSM account for the majority of new syphilis and gonorrhea cases.

* Trans and gender nonconforming people have not been well studied. All stats are from data reported by the Centers for Disease Control.

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Building a GenAction Chapter at an HBCU

What is an HBCU?

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically Black college or university
that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans...” We know
it to be so much more than that. HBCUs are pillars of pride, strength, and hope. HBCUs produce 25% of all of Black
graduates with science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees. HBCU graduates thrive. A 2015 survey
conducted by Gallup-Purdue University, notes 55% of Black students who graduated from an HBCUs reported that
the school prepared them for life, as compared with 30% of Black students who attended predominantly white
colleges. HBCUs are a home away from home and provide an experience like no other.

Identifying Student Leaders and Chapter Advisors their local campus. There are lots great ways to recruit
student leaders. Get creative and get out there!
When you are looking to start a new chapter on a campus,
the first thing you want to do is build relationships and Finding a chapter advisor, like much of this work, begins
trust with faculty and staff. One great place to start is the with relationships. Consider professors you know from
campus health center — learn about their services, and doing class raps and recruiting student leaders. Other
find out if we can help fill any gaps through a partnership progressive organizations on campus can connect you to
with a local PP health center. their chapter advisor. Ask them to introduce you to other
professors who might serve in this role. Depending on your
Once you have built those relationships, you can identify campus, identifying a chapter advisor could take some
student leaders: Reach out to professors and ask to use time. But don’t be discouraged — conservative schools
the first five minutes of class time to share the opportunity have been able to find a chapter advisor to act as sponsor.
with students; table in a high-traffic location on campus
or in the free-speech zone; and take advantage of some Once you’ve recruited some leaders and identified a
planned events that will bring the people to you. Sign chapter advisor, it’s time to get into the administrative tasks
up for a vendor table at homecoming or rent a float in of starting your chapter. In addition to registering your
the parade, host a Shop Chat (see below) in partnership chapter as an official student organization through the
with a professor, or connect with a progressive campus university processes, ensure that your new chapter has been
organization on campus and ask about co-hosting an added to the Action Council Hub (ppact.io/actionhub). Refer
event. Lastly, one very successful way that folks have been the GenAction toolkit for more information on constitutions,
able to find their student leaders is by hiring interns from chapter structure, team roles, and tiers of engagement.

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Shop Chats on Campuses We encourage affiliates to register for a table and
engage participants by:
Let’s talk Shop Chats: a gathering at a Black-owned business
that invites the Black community to learn and discuss topics • Demystifying Planned Parenthood in the Black
on sexual reproductive health care and how such care — or community with open & honest conversations
lack thereof — impacts their communities. Check out the
Shop Chats Toolkit here to plan the event on your campus. • Sharing information about the local health center &
services available
Homecoming
• Signing up new Action Fund members & supporters
Homecoming is a special opportunity to reach HBCU
alumni, staff, and members of surrounding communities. • Helping folks register to vote or update their registration

Overcoming Barriers

Abortion Stigma partner with other campus organizations. Think about

what topics the Greek letter organizations, LGBTQ+
Black women often feel shame and trauma about their orgs, and/or NAACP chapters on your campus are
decision to have an abortion. To reduce abortion stigma, interested in and pitch them the opportunity to partner.
we must normalize discussions of sex and abortion in In addition, build intentional relationships with those
our communities. orgs and others on your campus to ensure that you
have partners to book tables and rooms for you.
Tactic: Partner with campus organizations
Opposition Organizations On Campus
• We encourage you to partner with other campus
organizations and or Greek letter organizations to On and off college campuses we must coexist with
host open and honest conversations about abortion opposition groups whose beliefs don’t align with our own.
in the Black community, dispel myths about abortion, While it can be incredibly disheartening to see these groups
and explore ways in which we can increase access to in our communities, we must stay true to our mission.
comprehensive sex education.
Tactic: Do Not Engage with Opposition
Campus Administration
• If you ever encounter an opposition group protesting
Like other universities, the administrations at HBCUs on campus or disseminating false information, do
aren’t always responsive to a GenAction chapter on not engage. Our role in the community is to always
campus. In this case, our best practice is to powermap. provide a safe space and accurate information to
patients and supporters.
Tactic: Powermap
Non-Engagement Policy
• Think about who the decision maker is and who
are the people with power that will support your • Strictly avoid engaging in conversation and or any verbal
work. Build a relationship with those people and exchange with protesters. This includes instructing them
find out what it will take to get your chapter officially about what they can or cannot do. It is of the utmost
recognized by your university. importance that we do not contribute to volatility
and that it is absolutely clear to law enforcement and
Tactic: Keep partnering with other campus administration that the behavior of individuals
campus organizations! associated with us is calm and above reproach.

• In some cases the administration may be too hostile • Tell a campus administrator and your local organizer
to recognize your group. A great work around is to if you see activity you believe is illegal or unsafe.

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 Note that it is not illegal for protesters to photograph pregnancy centers (CPCs) spread misinformation
patients, staff, or volunteers. and engage in unethical practices.

• Avoid being in physical proximity with protesters. Tactic: Challenge the University to Protect the Campus

• Let your organizer know right away if you have any • In 2019, the Generation Action chapters at Florida
kind of encounter with a protester. Atlantic University and Florida State University led a
campus campaign to address the issue of CPCs on their
Crisis Pregnancy Centers campuses. They created an educational presentation
about CPCs and partnered with resident advisors to
Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) use unethical tactics to show it in different dorms. In addition, they collected
spread biased, limited, and inaccurate information about petition signatures to enact a campus law that sends
health care. CPCs particularly target young people, people a warning text to the entire campus when anti-abortion
of color, and those with low incomes. They are often found propaganda is displayed on university grounds.
on college campuses distributing inaccurate information
about sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and abortion. Lack of Information On Health Center Services
Similar to opposition organizations and protesters, we do
not engage with Crisis Pregnancy Centers. Tactic: Run An Education Campaign

Tactic: Provide Accurate Information • This is something especially helpful for chapters that
are just getting started. Here are 3 things you can do to
• If there is a center that comes onto your campus increase awareness and education of our health centers.
regularly, consider including accurate information
to dispel their myths while you are tabling. Ensure • Connect with your local affiliate and ensure that you
that people know where they can go for safe non- have the right information and resources, like a palm
judgmental health care and share the facts about card, to share when you’re tabling.
practicing safe and consensual sex.
• Think about using your social media to share more
• Many CPCs are publicly funded, which structurally information about health center services, hours of
reinforces poor sexual and reproductive health operation, and locations.
outcomes for communities of color. While tabling,
you can lift up that two of the leading adolescent • Work with your local organizer and reach out to
health medical societies, The Society for Adolescent the campus health center. Very often, university
Health and Medicine and the North American health centers are understaffed and have limited
Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, availability. Connect with them about including
released a new policy paper in October 2019 that pamphlets about the local Planned Parenthood in
highlights the risk to younger people when crisis the lobby and maybe even on the website.

“There is no such thing as a single-

issue struggle because we do not
live single-issue lives.”
— Audre Lorde
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Engaging Other Identities on Campus

To continue to grow the movement and our volunteer base, we must be intentional about engaging with others
whose identities exist along the margins and partnering on the issues that are impacting their day-to-day lives. Below
you will find Planned Parenthood’s stance on a number of cross-movement issues. While we realize that this is not an
exhaustive list, it is a great place to start when thinking about how to ensure that your GenAction chapter is being a
great partner to other progressive organizations on campus.

Gun Violence

The epidemic of gun violence directly affects many immigrant communities and communities of color who are
targeted by racist violence — communities that Planned Parenthood health centers serve. Planned Parenthood is
committed to fighting alongside all who work to stop gun violence for safer, healthier lives.

Partners:

• Community Justice Action Fund • Everytown For Gun Safety • Brady United Against
Gun Violence
• March For Our Lives • Giffords: Courage to Fight
Gun Violence

LGBTQIA+ Rights

Planned Parenthood believes everyone deserves high-quality, compassionate health care that’s appropriate for their
needs and concerns — no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation. We are proud to provide education,
support, and sexual and reproductive health services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and
intersex patients at safe and welcoming health centers.

Partners:

• Human Rights Campaign • National Center for Lesbian Rights • GLAAD

• The National LGBTQ Task Force • National Center for • GLSEN

Transgender Equality

Racial Justice

Planned Parenthood strongly opposes racism and is committed to working with communities and partners to address
the structural racism that impacts Black people’s everyday lives, and prevents communities from accessing health care.
We are dedicated to achieving health equity for Black communities for healthy, safe, and empowered lives — and we
know that it cannot be achieved without addressing racial justice.

Partners:

• Black Youth Project • Race Forward • National Urban League

• Black Lives Matter • National Action Network • NAACP

• Color of Change • Advancement Project • Leadership Conference on Civil

and Human Rights

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Economic Justice

Planned Parenthood believes in economic security for all individuals and families and supports everyone in their
efforts to adequately care for themselves and their families. Everyone deserves access to basic living standards
through financial, housing, food, health, and nutrition assistance, as well as inclusive, responsible, and sustainable
paid family and medical leave.

Partners:

• Family Values @ Work Network • National Center for Law and • Community Change
Economic Justice
• National Domestic • MomsRising
Workers Alliance • Jobs with Justice

Education Justice

Planned Parenthood is committed to destigmatizing sex education and dismantling barriers to health care and
information for Black communities. We provide sex education that is inclusive, medically accurate, and culturally
relevant to the communities served, reaching over 270,000 Black people through our education programs in 2018
alone. Planned Parenthood also brings sex education programs to places like foster care and criminal justice facilities
to help ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalized young people have access to quality sex education.

Partners:

• Leadership Conference • Black Girls Vote • National Women’s Law Center

Sexual Assault

At Planned Parenthood, we believe and support survivors. Our fight for reproductive rights and health is built on the
belief that all people deserve bodily autonomy — which includes a freedom from sexual assault, misconduct, and
violence. We offer vital sexual and reproductive health care services and resources in a safe and nonjudgmental
environment, and we advocate for policies that support survivors.

Partners:

• Girls for Gender Equity • National Women’s Law Center • Time’s UP

• Know Your IX • Me Too

Immigration

Planned Parenthood is committed to standing with immigrant communities and improving sexual and reproductive
health among immigrants by fighting for their health and civil rights. We will not stand by and allow immigrant and
refugee families to be stripped of their health and rights or be separated from their families. We are proud that
Planned Parenthood health centers serve patients regardless of immigration status and we strive to ensure our
patients feel safe walking through our doors knowing that their privacy is protected.

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Partners:

• United We Dream • Fair Immigration Reform • UndocuBlack Network

Movement (FIRM)
• Black Alliance for Justice • National Korean American
Immigration (BAJI) • National Immigration Law Service & Education
Center (NILC) Consortium (NAKASEC)

Voting Rights

Planned Parenthood is committed to fighting for justice for every person, and to empowering everyone to participate
fully in their communities and have an equal voice in the democratic process. We continue to join voting rights advocates
in condemning voter suppression and standing against the discriminatory tactics that are systematically used to target
communities of color and young people — like voter ID laws, racially discriminatory districts, or limits on early voting.

Partners:

• The Leadership Conference on • NAACP Legal Defense and • Brennan Center for Justice
Civil and Human Rights Educational Fund
• Fair Vote
• Lawyers’ Committee for Civil • Mexican American Legal Defense
Rights Under Law and Educational Fund • Common Cause

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Annual Peaks Calendar

Women’s History Month

Roe v. Wade Anniversary Graduation
GenAction Birthday
Celebration

February April June

January March May

Black History Month Sexual Assault

Awareness Month
National Condom Week
Get Yourself Tested
National Black HIV/AIDS Month
Awareness Day
Denim Day
Black Organizing
Program Birthday
Celebration

National Voter
Registration Day
HBCU Summit
Congressional Black Election Day
Minority Mental Health Caucus Foundation
Awareness Month Annual Conference Thanks, Birth Control Day

Hispanic Heritage Month

August October December

July September November

Back to School Homecoming Season World AIDS Day

Hispanic Heritage Month Graduation

Breast Cancer
Awareness Month

The peaks calendar is updated on a rolling basis. Please keep an eye out for the GenAction Back to School Memo for
the most up to date information.

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Champion of Reproductive Health Award
Each year we enjoy the privilege of celebrating community partners and reproductive justice warriors during the
CBCF Annual Legislative Conference along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and influencers who
stand for reproductive rights as a central tenet of a fair and just world. Among those leaders are our Generation
Action chapters from Hampton University and Lincoln University.

In 2018, Hampton University was awarded for their work to bring awareness to sexual assault on campus
by creating a Title IX advisory board that brought transparency to the issue and built trust. In addition, they
passed a campus law mandating that all incoming students, including transfer students, take a comprehensive sex ed
course before registering for classes.

In 2019, Lincoln University was awarded for their menstrual equity work. This chapter led efforts to provide free
menstrual products in all common area restrooms on campus and created over 300 period bags for those in need in
the surrounding community.

*Note that we select the winner based on self-reported information. If you would like your chapter to be recognized for their work,
please send a summary of their campaign to Monica Massamba at [email protected].

Winners of the 2018 award, Generation Action at Hampton University, Winners of the 2019 award, Generation Action at Lincoln University,
accepted by Michyah Thomas & Aman Tune accepted by Jada Thompson & Jayla Ross

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