HHS Sebelius keynoting NARAL Chicago lunch Wednesday

below, from NARAL…

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius to Give Keynote Address at the 17th Annual Chicago Power of Choice Luncheon

Journalist and non-profit executive Sylvia Ewing will lead program;

NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan to deliver remarks

Washington, D.C. – Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be the keynote speaker at NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Chicago Power of Choice luncheon on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at noon at The Standard Club.

Sylvia Ewing, award-winning journalist and longtime supporter of choice, will serve as the event’s mistress of ceremonies. Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, will deliver remarks. This event will include choice leaders JoAnn Eisenberg, Karen Berkowitz, Steven Cohen, and Chicago’s Rabbi Michael Sternfield.

Keenan commended Sebelius for her leadership and on issues related to women’s health and privacy, including her tenure as governor of Kansas.

“In a climate where a woman’s right to choose is fiercely under attack, it important to have great leaders like Secretary Sebelius who fight each and every day to ensure that all Americans have access to basic health care.” Keenan continued, “It is important that we applaud the work of champions who value women’s freedom and privacy and ensure that sound science guides health policy.”

NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Chicago event comes during an especially hostile time for women’s reproductive rights. Thus far in 2011, states have enacted 62 anti-choice laws (the second-highest number in 15 years). In addition, House Speaker John Boehner has made anti-choice legislation a priority, recently unveiling a budget that would eliminate all funding for programs that provide women with contraception and cancer screenings.

WHO: The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Sylvia Ewing, Award-Winning Journalist

Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

WHEN: Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The program begins at noon.

Camera set-up at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: The Standard Club

320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL

Media RSVP: The event is open to credentialed press.

To RSVP, call (202) 973-3032

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Samantha Gordon

Communications and Media Strategy

NARAL Pro-Choice America