Women Are Watching campaign finds support in Rhode Island as Cecile Richards President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund joins local women’s health activists.

(Providence, RI) On Thursday, June 7, 2012 young professionals, activists and friends of Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island (PPV!RI)  were joined by Cecile Richards,one ofTime Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” and  President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, to launch the Women Are Watching campaign at The Dorrance in Providence, Rhode Island.

The cocktail party launched the Women Are Watching campaign, and provided an opportunity for young professionals and activists to engage in the campaign prior to the state's September 11^th primary. It also served as a fundraiser for the electoral and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Inc., Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island (PPV!RI).

“We want to send a strong message to those running for public office in Rhode Island that women are watching and they will vote,” stated Richards. “Attacking women’s health, undermining access to birth control and coming between a woman and the private decisions she makes with her doctor and her family is not acceptable.”

Citing studies that show that 99% of sexually active women use birth control, Richards said, “It’s 2012 – our lawmakers need to wake up and accept this. Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island wants Rhode Island voters to know whether their legislators have supported women’s health issues, so that they have this crucial information when they go to the ballot box.”

Another featured speaker at the event, Judy Tabar President of PPV!RI, stressed the importance of recruiting volunteers in time for the September 11^th primary where races are won and lost by just a handful of votes. “In Rhode Island it only takes about 1,200 votes to win a state legislative race, so every vote matters,” stated Tabar. “Our issues, our voices and our actions will matter. We’re committed to turning Rhode Island’s attention away from bills requiring unnecessary mandatory ultrasound tests, and toward expanding family planning programs that would prevent unplanned pregnancy and save state dollars.”

The Women Are Watching campaign aims to educate Rhode Island voters on the positions of 2012 candidates regarding women’s health care issues and to empower women to hold anti-women’s health candidates of either party accountable, and elect pro-women’s health candidates. Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island welcomes new volunteers, activists and members. For more information on how to become involved, call the Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island office at (401) 421-7820 x3145 or visit www.actppsne.orgor find us on Facebook @ Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island.

###

Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island is a state-wide organization that supports campaigns of pro-choice candidates, and advocates for full access to reproductive health services and comprehensive sexual health education. It is the Rhode Island electoral and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Inc.