PLANNED PARENTHOOD HONORS 2009 PPFA MAGGIE AWARD WINNERS

Actor and Activist Gloria Reuben Presented the Awards

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), one of the nation’s leading women’s health care providers and advocates, is pleased to announce its seven winners of the 2009 PPFA Maggie Awards for Media Excellence: The American Prospect magazine; Glamour magazine; The New Republic magazine; Amanda Robb of More magazine; Fiorella Valdesolo of Nylon magazine; Deborah Kotz of US News & World Report; and Jennifer Wolff Perrine of SELF magazine. 

“It’s more vital than ever that the public stay informed on the issues surrounding health care and women’s health.” said PPFA President Cecile Richards.  “Planned Parenthood is proud to recognize Glamour, The American Prospect, and The New Republic, as well as Amanda Robb, Fiorella Valdesolo, Jennifer Wolff Perrine and Deborah Kotz for their outstanding work raising public awareness and understanding of these issues.”

Created in 1978 and named for Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, the annual PPFA Maggie Awards recognize exceptional achievement in journalism that enhance the public's understanding of reproductive rights and health care issues, including contraception, sex education, teen pregnancy, abortion, and international family planning.

The awards were presented by actor and activist Gloria Reuben, star of the current TNT hit dramatic series “Raising the Bar,” and beloved for her ground-breaking portrayal of HIV-positive physician’s assistant Jeanie Boulet on NBC’s “ER,” during Planned Parenthood’s 2009 Organizing and Policy Summit in Washington, DC.   

The 2009 PPFA Maggie Award winners are:

- The American Prospect, “America’s AIDS Apartheid” by Kai Wright. Ann Friedman, editor.  

- Glamour, “It’s Your Turn to Talk to McCain and Obama” by Cindi Leive, Editor-in-Chief; Jill Herzig, Executive Editor; Linda Kramer Jenning, Washington DC Editor; Ellen Kampinsky, News Director; and Geraldine Sealey, Editor

- The New Republic, “Life Sentence,” an article debunking the notion that John McCain is a women’s health moderate by Sarah Blustain. Esther Kaplan, Investigative Fund Editor and Peter Scoblic, Editor, The New Republic

- Amanda Robb for her article “Leslie Unruh’s Facts of Life,” published in More, a profile of an anti-choice ideologue

- Fiorella Valdesolo for her article “Freedom From Choice,” published in Nylon, highlighting television’s unrealistic portrayals of abortion

- Jennifer Wolff Perrine for her article “When There is No Good Choice,” published in SELF, discussing the personal, medical and legal issues surrounding late abortion

- Deborah Kotz, for her extensive work in US News & World Report on reproductive health, pregnancy, sex education, and preventive care

PPFA considers nominations in the categories of television, radio, newspaper, music, magazine, book, new media, theater, advertising, and film and video.  Entries are judged by professionals from the communications field and experts in women’s health. Judges consider creativity, quality, relevance, risk and effectiveness, as well as cultural diversity.  Information on previous PPFA Maggie Award winners is available HERE. Nominating forms for 2010 Maggie Awards will be posted on the Planned Parenthood website.

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