“Because of this executive order, the state of Minnesota will not be allowed to share in the bipartisan progress made through health care reform. It’s an unconscionable move at the expense of the health of Minnesotans,” said Sarah Stoesz, PPMNS President and CEO. “This action has moved Minnesota from the cutting edge to the back of the line,” Stoesz said.

One of the many funding opportunities lost as a result of Governor Pawlenty’s action is the loss of PREP, a program that would have provided nearly 1 million dollars in federal funding to the state of Minnesota for comprehensive sex education. This programming is profoundly needed in communities across the state.

“Minnesota’s young people are in the midst of an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, with rates rising to historic levels,” Stoesz said. “The PREP program, which Governor Pawlenty turned down yesterday, was created to teach teens how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, protect their health, make responsible decisions, and learn critical skills needed to form healthy relationships with parents, peers and partners,” said Stoesz.

“Nearly half of all Minnesota teens are sexually active by their senior year. It’s not fiscally sound or morally responsible to deny these teens the information they need to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of infections that can lead to infertility and chronic illness,” Stoesz said.

“Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the power of education to help teens make responsible decisions about their health and calls on Governor Pawlenty to accept the funding and protect the health and well-being of Minnesotans,” said Stoesz.

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Contact: Kathi Di Nicola 651.755.9557

“It defies logic that the governor of a state in a budget crisis would turn away nearly a million dollars in federal funding for services that are profoundly needed across Minnesota. Minnesota’s young people are in the midst of an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, with rates rising to historic levels,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz.

“The federal government is now committed to fully funding programs that work. Governor Pawlenty is refusing those funds in favor of failed abstinence-only policy that will cost the state of Minnesota nearly $400,000,” Stoesz said.

“The PREP program, which Governor Pawlenty turned down today, was created to teach teens how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, protect their health, make responsible decisions, and learn critical skills needed to form healthy relationships with parents, peers and partners,” said Stoesz.

“Nearly half of all Minnesota teens are sexually active by their senior year. It’s not fiscally sound or morally responsible to deny these teens the information they need to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of infections that can lead to infertility and chronic illness,” Stoesz said.

A Peter D. Hart Research poll shows a majority of voters in nearly every demographic category, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents, as well as Catholics and evangelical Christians, support comprehensive sex education.

“Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the power of education to help teens make responsible decisions about their health and calls on Governor Pawlenty to accept the funding and protect the health and well-being of our young people,” said Stoesz.

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CONTACT: Kathi Di Nicola 651.755.9557

Noted journalist and social critic, Barbara Ehrenreich will appear at NDSU’s Festival Concert Hall on September 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Ehrenreich’s talk entitled “Women, Economics and Poverty: On (not) Getting by in America” is based on one of her most notable works.

Nickeled and Dimed

Ehrenreich went undercover to work a series of minimum wage jobs and report on the lives of women who live such lives. She worked in such occupations as cleaning and retail customer service. In reflecting on the experience, Ehrenreich said,

“This was a totally new experience for me as a writer, and I don’t just mean the manual labor involved in the jobs I took. I had never done much reporting before, and certainly not in the first person.”

Her book, Nickeled and Dimed: On (not) Getting by in America, was release in 2003. She examined various aspects of minimum wage existence, including the high costs that America’s lowest paid workers pay for using public transportation and having to live out of motels.

This documentary work has the distinction of also being made into a play.

After her experiences in reporting and writing this work, Ehrenreich threw herself into speaking about and helping to organize the workers she found in her minimum-wage odyssey.

But Ehrenreich’s achievements were not all centered on this one work

Other Achievements

Ehrenreich’s essays have appeared in a variety of places including Time, Salon.com, and The Atlantic.

This Ph.D. in cell biology followed up Nickeled and Dimed with a similar book, using underground reportage, to look at what has happened to America’s professional classes. Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream, examined, first hand, the lives of down-sized professional workers. This book also resulted in organizing activities on behalf of those she reported upon.

Ehrenreich has also been diagnosed with breast cancer and has written about those experiences as well.

Ehrenreich’s talk is part of the Laurie Loveland Speaker’s Series at NDSU. Loveland was a noted attorney and feminist. Loveland, an NDSU grad was instrumental in drafting the Master Agreement between the tobacco companies and 46 states in her role as Assistant Attorney General and Solicitor General for the state of North Dakota. NDSU offers a scholarship in her honor.

If you are living paycheck to pay check Planned Parenthood can help. Please visit our website to learn more about the health care services we provide.

“Minnesotans have embraced Mark Dayton’s vision for the state- his commitment to a vibrant economy, job-creation, world-class education for Minnesota’s young people and affordable, accessible health care for all.” said PPAF President Sarah Stoesz.

“As our U.S. Senator, Mark Dayton demonstrated his dedication to Minnesota women and families.” Stoesz said. “He has a long history of fighting for what’s right: access to affordable and high quality health care, including family planning, and protecting the health and safety of women. He has always been a true champion for women’s health,” said Stoesz.

“Dayton’s selection for Lieutenant Governor, Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon, is good news for Minnesota. After a decade in the legislature, she has proven to be a relentless advocate for Minnesota’s women and families.” said Stoesz.

According to a 2009 Hart research poll, 65% of women in battleground states like Minnesota view Planned Parenthood positively, a rating that puts Planned Parenthood just behind Boys and Girls Club of America, and well ahead of other women’s advocacy groups, and both political parties.

“Women will play a pivotal role in this election and so will the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. We will engage in an aggressive effort to educate voters about Tom Emmer’s abysmal record on women’s health and safety. We look forward to working with our many thousands of grassroots activists and supporters across the state to ensure brighter futures for Minnesota women and families,” Stoesz said.

Paid for by Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota South Dakota Action Fund. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org

Related News

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MPR: Planned Parenthood backs Dayton

MinnPost: Planned Parenthood backs Mark Dayton and his 'vision for the state'

WNMT: Major Pro-Choice Group Endorses Dayton For Governor

Summer always brings Pride- a time for the GLBTQIA (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Ally) community to celebrate our lives. Pride is much more than just hanging out in the park and kickin’ it with friends. Pride also provides resources and information; from what businesses are supportive of our community, to where safe and compassionate health care is provided- Planned Parenthood being one!

It always comes as a shock to hear how many people in our GLBTQIA community do not get tested for STI’s and HIV/AIDS. Planned Parenthood’s presence at Pride just makes sense! Planned Parenthood is an affirming provider with a sliding fee scale. It’s comfortable for our community. It’s affordable for our community. It’s respectful for our community. It’s love for our community.

Get tested. Be safe. See you next year!

Call 1-800-230-PLAN to make an appointment!

The National Organization for Marriage and the Minnesota Family Council recently announced that they’d be running a new radio advertisement in Minnesota.  The new ad slams Mark Dayton and Tom Horner for supporting same-sex marriage, while at the same time touting Tom Emmer’s support for a constitutional ban on gay marriage. (via the Minnesota Independent)

For the past several weeks Tom Emmer has been tacitly embroiled in Target’s PR nightmare centering around their $150K donation toward running pro-Emmer ads. While Target has had progressive policies towards same-sex couples and has sponsored Minneapolis’ Pride Parade, they’ve also decided to support Tom Emmer, an extreme social conservative who has made his stance toward GLBT equality perfectly clear.

But as the Minnesota Independent article hints, Tom Emmer is beginning to shy away from discussing his unpopular, conservative stances. During his appearance on Almanac’s debate last Friday, he was asked whether Minnesotans should be able to vote to constitutionally ban gay marriage, to which he replied:

“As a citizen I have a view that is well known. As a governor, it’s not going to be up to the governor. Whether it’s somebody that says they have to oppose it, it’s not up to the governor. It’s up to the legislature,” Emmer said. “And you know what, this election is not about those issues, this election is about the economy, and it’s about jobs.”

Emmer can try to dodge these kinds of questions, but when you have a record like Emmer’s—it’s hard to ignore the truth.

According to our friends at OutFront Minnesota, Tom Emmer has done the following:   

-“Authored a constitutional amendment to exclude gay and lesbian couples from marriage and all other legal protections."

-“Voted to deny local governments the ability to offer domestic partner benefits to their employees.” 

-“Called HIV prevention outreach to gay men ‘disgusting discourse’ and led an effort to strip the Minnesota AIDS Project of state funding”

…and that’s just a FEW examples from a not-so-shortlist of anti-GLBT actions Tom Emmer has taken.

So often the groups and individuals who target GLBT rights are the same groups and individuals who are targeting reproductive rights. That is certainly the case with Tom Emmer. Tom Emmer has: 

-Voted numerous times against giving Minnesota teens responsible, age-appropriate, medically-accurate sex education 

-Voted against improving access to family planning services 

-Sponsored a bill to allow pharmacists the ability to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions.

Planned Parenthood believes in equality—reproductive rights extend to all people regardless of their sexual orientation. Tom Emmer’s extreme social conservative views are completely out of step with Minnesotans and so it’s likely that he will continue to downplay these views. We can’t let him hide from these issues. Minnesotans need to know that electing Tom Emmer would be a huge step backward for the health and rights of Minnesotans.

North Dakota Public Affairs Manager

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

This summer opponents of legal abortion were quietly, yet steadily, working to mount an unprecedented attack on women’s health in North Dakota.  They were busy attending county fairs, church groups and other community events gathering signatures for a ballot initiative for possible inclusion in the fall 2010 election.  The filing deadline with the Secretary of State came and passed. Fortunately, the anti- choice group was unsuccessful in gathering the 12,844 signatures needed. Unfortunately for the women of North Dakota, the group stated they will continue to push forward with another ballot initiative and possible legislation in the future.

What was the measure, you ask? Had the effort been successful the voters of North Dakota would have had a measure on their ballot titled “The baby decapitation and skull crushing ban”.  Clearly, and despicably, the sponsors of this measure attempt to manipulate voters by using emotionally-charged language. The intent is to shock you, upset you, and to control you.

This anti-abortion measure would have a devastating impact on women facing serious complications after the first trimester of pregnancy.  Many women seeking abortions after the first trimester very much want to carry their pregnancies to term, but they develop medical complications which threaten their own health or the health of the fetus. This initiative would severely restrict safe medical options for women in these difficult situations. 

This anti-choice effort is not over; it is really just the beginning. The sponsors of this measure are clear; they will use this time to continue their work, gather more signatures, and get the measure placed on a future ballot.  If that is not frightening enough, there is always the opportunity for the group to seek legislation during the 2011 session. Representative Dan Ruby (R-Minot), the sole sponsor of the 2009 “Personhood” bill which attempted to grant full human rights to a fertilized egg, was also a sponsor of this effort.  During the Personhood effort Ruby was quoted "I think North Dakota will be on the map to be the first state in recent years to mount a legitimate challenge to Roe v. Wade!" The goal is crystal clear.

Declining to sign the petitions illustrates that North Dakotan saw this effort for what it was- an attempt by opponents of legal abortion to push an unconstitutional agenda and allow the government to intrude into the personal lives of the people of North Dakota.

During this interim time, before the North Dakota Legislature convenes in January 2011, it is imperative for pro choice advocates and friends to come together and organize.  The first steps are simple and only take seconds. First, spread the word. Use the tell-a-friend feature on our emails to get your circle of friends involved with advocacy/information from Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD. Second, follow us on Twitter (@ppnodak) and Facebook (Planned Parenthood North Dakota Action Fund). Social networking is a valuable tool in connecting like minds in a frontier state like ours. And thirdly, please contribute today.  Every dollar helps the small program we run in North Dakota- from $5 to $500 every cent is piece goes to supporting the pro choice movement.

Help Planned Parenthood with the final push to elect Margaret on August 10th! Visit www.prochoicegov.mn to make a contribution to our Political Action Fund.

Check out our latest video and see Margaret's strong leadership and dedication to women and pro-choice issues! Help win over the undecided voters--- Share the video with your friends on facebook and twitter!

Learn more about Margaret and how she stacks up against Tom Emmer.

And don't forget--Get out and Vote! Let's make sure that Margaret Anderson Kelliher is elected as the first female Governor of Minnesota!

Not sure of your polling place? Click here to find out where to vote!

Whether you’re a parent now, plan to be one in the future, or have grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews or other young people in your life, join us for a special education night for Planned Parenthood’s volunteers and other friends of Planned Parenthood from the community, to learn about how you can be educated and helpful to youth when talking about sex.

The evening will be an opportunity to explore how we define sexuality, how to talk with kids about it, what kids should know at various developmental stages, and tips on keeping our cool.

Plan to join us for this fun and participatory session on Monday 8/16, 6-8PM in the Minneapolis Uptown Board Room, 1200 Lagoon Ave.

RSVP today at 651.696.5506 or volunteers@ppmns.org. Mention if you’re bringing friends, and also what age(s) of child(ren) you’d like information on.

Hope to see you there!

PPMNS is part of the Minnesota Chlamydia Partnership, a statewide coalition of concerned organizations that have come together to work toward improving the sexual health of young people in Minnesota. Our partners in this effort are the Minnesota Department of Health, the Dakota County Department of Public Health and Human Services, the City of Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support, the Powell Women’s Health Center at the U of M and Teen Age Medical Services in Minneapolis.

We were proud to join medical, education and outreach professionals from across the state to tackle a serious public health problem.  And PPMNS staff turned out in full force to lead, contribute, listen and propose solutions.

A PPMNS Teen Council member shared his story of the frustration with the lack of responsible sex ed in schools.  A PPMNS clinician joined one of our public policy gurus in facilitating workgroup discussions. And our web editor shared new media strategies for reaching young people and educating them about sexual health.

It was an incredible day and a solid first step in addressing this epidemic.

We have reason to be concerned; chlamydia profoundly affects the Minnesotans we serve. More than 94% of Planned Parenthood’s 64,000 patients are women, the majority of whom are young adults, and 19% of whom are from communities of color. This population - female patients aged 26 and younger - are at the greatest risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Many STIs can cause permanent damage if not treated early and women infected with chlamydia are at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.  Long term complications may include infertility, chronic pain and ectopic pregnancy and a significantly increased risk of acquiring HIV.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, chlamydia cases have increased 88% in the past 10 years. This is intolerable. PPMNS is proud to work toward a solution to reduce the rates of chlamydia and prevent new infections in communities across the state.

Read about the Chlamydia Summit here

Learn more about the Minnesota Chlamydia Partnership here

Read the PPMNS report on Sexually Transmitted Infections here

My name is Tenzin, I’m from Minnesota, and this fall I’ll be a first year Pharm.D student at the College of Pharmacy at North Dakota State University. But right now, I am studying Indonesian and interning at the Planned Parenthood of Indonesia in Bandung, Indonesia.

My internship was made available through the Freeman Indonesia Non-profit Internship Program in order to strengthen the relation of Indonesia and U.S.A through non-government organization internships. I had chosen the public health sector due to my interest and experience in the health field. I believe that health education should be a right to every human being since this knowledge is essential for well-being. When I found out I was placed in the Planned Parenthood of Indonesia (PKBI in Indonesian), I felt it perfectly suited my beliefs and aim in life

My internship experience includes many different aspects of family planning and reproduction education in Bandung. I work to educate the general public/students as well as doing outreach work to female sex workers, the HIV positive population, injection drug users, street children, and other marginalized communities about reproductive health. In Indonesia sexual education is forbidden in schools and the general public is very secretive when it comes to talking about sex.

I am learning so much about family planning, the role of the government and the importance of NGO’s like PKBI. I am planning to give back to the community here by organizing an event on a college campus to raise awareness about sustaining Bandung socially, economically, and environmentally and by presenting materials from Planned Parenthood MN-ND-SD to help organize volunteers.

My experience here feels so surreal. This internship has given me the opportunity to meet courageous people and hear unbelievable stories. I have observed and listened with a strong heart and held the tears, but sometimes it’s too much to hold back. One particularly moving moment was when I was helping a young woman whom I had only met a week before while I was doing outreach work. This woman is HIV positive, a former drug addict, pregnant, a mother of a young child, and a sex worker who lives on the streets. She’s about the same age as me but with unimaginable experiences.

Ibu, a co-worker convinced the young woman to get help. Through our work she will be staying at a center for HIV+ people, no longer living on the streets, for the next 6-12 months. She also will receive job training for the future. The name “Ibu” means mother in Indonesian and that was exactly who she was to the young woman. Ibu held the young woman’s hand throughout the journey and kept repeating words of encouragement. She told her to try her best here to help herself and her children. Ibu kept repeating a word, “senang”, and each time was followed by a hand on her heart. Senang means happy in Indonesian. Later I found out she kept saying that the only thing she wanted from the young woman was for her to be happy, which would only come if the woman did her best to change her life for the better. When we all said goodbye, I felt my strength weaken and tears silently rolled down my cheeks as Ibu gave her words of encouragement for the last time that day.

The inspirational people I have met here, like Ibu and the young woman, gives me more motivation to continue my interest in helping others in the public health field. This internship keeps giving me these unbelievable experiences, which I am proud to be part of and am forever grateful for.

Planned Parenthood has been part of Minnesota’s health care infrastructure for the past 82 years and we’re excited to be moving to the Midway. While doing some research on our future neighborhood, we discovered a batch of great photos from the 1940s and 50s just blocks from where our new building will be constructed.

Here’s a shot looking West down University near the Vandalia Intersection...to view images please visit the original post on standwithpp.org.

Hey, that’s all of you, the thousands of supporters who’ve volunteered for Planned Parenthood in its clinical and community work across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota! And it’s also you, those of you who may be reading this and have volunteered at other social service and arts organizations, schools and churches in communities all across our service area. Congratulations, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Sioux Falls, and the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, on coming out on top and a big thank you for joining the 63.4 million Americans who in 2009 volunteered to help their communities.

Read the rest at Standwithpp.org. 

Minnesotans need a pro-choice, pro-women candidate like Margaret Anderson Kelliher to be our Governor. It is critical that Tom Emmer be defeated, and with your help we can make it happen! Make a contribution to the Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund to make sure that our next Governor is Pro-Choice!  

Any contribution can make a difference!  Minnesotans can't afford to have another anti-choicer as Governor. Help us elect Margaret!

Another way you can help ensure that we elect Margaret is to vote in the upcoming primary election. This year, Minnesotans will head to the polls on August 10th to cast their vote for the candidate they think should run in the November election.

With the primary taking place during the heart of summer vacation, it's important that everyone plans on how they will participate in the primary this year.  Check your calendars-- on August 10th, do you plan to be at the lake? Up north? Down south? In any case, if you aren't going to be able to make it to your polling place to cast your vote in the primary on August 10th, then you are a perfect candidate to vote by absentee!

Starting last Friday, you can now head to your local city clerk's office during business hours to cast your vote.  For more information, visit the Secretary of State's website. 

Help us get the word out about the candidate's records on choice by sharing the above video with your friends on facebook and twitter too!

STAY CONNECTED

A new report published by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the Humphrey Institute illustrates that Minnesota women still face an uphill battle when it comes to issues like health, safety, wages, and leadership.

Some of the reports findings(pdf): 

• • • Compared to a full-time working white man, white, African American and Latina women earn $.76, $.61, and $.56 on the dollar, respectively.
  • • Women over 65 live below the poverty line at rates more than double men over 65.
  • • By mid-life, nearly one third of women will have experienced a rape crime
  • • It’s estimated that in Minnesota about 80 girls under 18 were victims of prostitution, sold through the internet or escort services.
  • • A majority of Minnesota adult women are overweight or obese.
  • • Nearly twice as many Minnesota girls report suicidal thoughts as compared to boys. A startling 47% of Native American girls reported suicidal thoughts.
  • • Women lead none of Minnesota’s Fortune 500 companies.

Check out the Star Tribune’s story for a round up of other stunning facts about the current state of Minnesota women. You should also check out the report overview(pdf)—it’s a must read.

Improving access to family planning is an important way to combat some of these issues addressed in this new report. When women are able to choose when they have children, they are better able to focus on their education and career pursuits. And when women are able to choose when they have children, they are also more prepared and better equipped to manage the financial requirements needed for raising a child. Both of these factors lead to better economic success and improved health outcomes for women. Planned Parenthood is committed to improving access to family planning and health care for women all over the state.

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota South Dakota recently published a report(pdf) on the state of rural women’s health in Minnesota. The report finds that rural women are more likely to live in poverty, more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, and more likely to have limited health care resources when compared with their urban counterparts. These are also factors that are contributing current state of women’s well-being in Minnesota.

Planned Parenthood applauds the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota for raising awareness around the critical issue of women’s equality. Next week, the Women’s Foundation will embark on a 9-day trip to present the new report and gain a better understanding of what the report’s findings look like on the ground. The Road to Equality Tour will visit Warroad, Moorhead, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Willmar, St. Cloud and Rochester. Keep up with their travels by following the Women’s Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

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Contact: Kathi Di Nicola

651-755-9557

Yesterday, about 35 anti-choicers gathered in front of our future building site to protest our new location and the critical health care we provide to Minnesotans. In the video below, you will see the anti-choicers gathered on the very edge of our property line—the building you see in the background is currently on our site. Before construction on the new building can begin, the existing building must be demolished and the site must go through soil remediation.

Click here to read more and to watch the video.

Monday night the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action fund held a fundraiser to help elect a pro-choice Governor here in Minnesota.  The event featured three incredible pro-choice advocates: Mayor Chris Coleman of St. Paul, Speaker of the House and Planned Parenthood Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and the fiercely pro-choice Governor of Wisconsin, Jim Doyle.
 
If you missed the event, you can still make a contribution to our effort to elect Margaret as pro-choice Governor of Minnesota.

Chris Coleman started out the evening giving a little insight into our new building in St. Paul, joking that the only kind of battles that Planned Parenthood faces with this building is whether or not to have a green roof or what kind of stone we’ll be using.  “These are the kinds of battles that we fight when we’re talking about women’s health in the city of St. Paul” said Mayor Coleman, as the crowd laughed approvingly. We are so grateful to Mayor Coleman for his strong support for Planned Parenthood and for improved access to care for the citizens of St. Paul and beyond.
 
Next, our Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsed candidate for Governor, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher shared a personal story about why Planned Parenthood’s services are so important.
 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

As if we needed any more proof that a comprehensive, responsible sex ed is needed to reduce the teen pregnancy rate, along comes more analysis that reinforces what we know: comprehensive sex ed works.  Between 1992 and 2005, California’s teen pregnancy rate declined by more than 50%. How did they do it?

“California has made teen pregnancy prevention a high public policy priority, with a strong emphasis on providing teens comprehensive sex education and the health care services and counseling they need to prevent pregnancy,” says Heather Boonstra, author of the new analysis. “Above all, California’s success demonstrates that policies matter—both in allotting the necessary resources and in ensuring that the right types of information and services are available.” 

Along with improving access to contraception, bipartisan commitment to the issue, and input and involvement of private foundations, Boonstra credits comprehensive sexuality education as one of the core factors for California’s success.  California is the only state to not accept any federal abstinence-only funds and shifted its resources to evidence-based, medically-accurate, age-appropriate comprehensive sex ed programs.  “The whole of the effort clearly added up to more than the sum of the parts,” Boonstra said.

In 2007 over 7,000 Minnesota teens between ages 15-19 became pregnant along with 120 females under the age of 15. While Minnesota’s teen pregnancy rate is one of the lowest in the nation, these stats are still troubling. Every day in Minnesota, about 20 teens become pregnant.

89% of Minnesota parents support comprehensive sex ed yet Minnesota does not have any sex ed policy on the books, though it’s not for lack of trying.  In past years, Governor Pawlenty has made it clear that he would not support a comprehensive approach to sex education.  If Minnesota wants to replicate California’s model for success, we have a long way to go. Perhaps next year we will elect a pro-choice Governor who supports comprehensive sex ed, and would sign this common-sense approach to reducing teen pregnancy.  Doing so would be a major step forward for the health and lives of Minnesota teens. Help us make it happen.

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Earlier this month, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota announced that we would be building a new flagship health care center and administrative headquarters along the Central Corridor in the Midway area of St. Paul.

The Central Corridor is an 11 mile light rail track line that connects 5 major neighborhoods of the Twin Cities: Downtown Minneapolis, the U of M, the Midway area (our future home), the Capitol, and Downtown St. Paul. The new transit line will include 18 new stops and share 5 additional stops with the Hiawatha line and is slated to be completed by 2014.   Creating this link between the two downtowns has been a long time coming, and PPMNS is so excited to be located just a block off the new line near the Raymond Avenue stop.

Click here to read more. 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

It’s been a week since our new building announcement and people from all over Minnesota have been visiting our website and sharing why they support Planned Parenthood.

Here are some of my favs so far:

“Planned Parenthood is always there. They are always on your side, always ready with absolute truth, compassion, and respect. Always.” --Sara M

“As a teenager (18) I believe that comprehensive sexual education and smart access to contraception will best keep my ge

“They are a vital organization to communities across the state providing reproductive health services and education for all.” --Molly M

“Planned Parenthood provides countless women with control over their lives. It helps them build strong, supported families.” -- Carol S.

“Sexual health and education is important. Plain and simple.” Brian L.

“Women and men must always have access to safe, cost effective health care. PP has been providing this for decades and is a model to follow!” --Sarah S.

As you have read in my last post, there are some people who don’t support the important work Planned Parenthood does. However, there are PLENTY of people who do stand with PP and it’s so amazing to see the outpouring of community support for the critical health care we’ve been providing to Minnesotans since 1928.

Do you support Planned Parenthood? Show your support for PP here. After you submit your thoughts, be sure to stick around and check out the messages that other people are leaving. It’s very inspiring.

Thank you so much for your support!

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Over 60,000 Minnesotans came to Planned Parenthood for health care this year alone. From family planning, to STI testing and treatment, to cancer screenings, Minnesotans understand and appreciate the important care Planned Parenthood provides. That’s why so many Minnesotans stepped forward and made generous donations to make our new flagship health care center in St. Paul possible. This building is a testament to the support we have in the community.

Despite the fact that 95% of what Planned Parenthood does is preventive care, there’s just no pleasing some people. And by some people, I mean anti-choicers. As expected, they’re tossing around their normal buzzwords and hoping something sticks. Let’s take a look at the top three anti-choice quotes this week.

Visit StandWithPP.org, our new website dedicated to information about our new building, to read the rest.

In Minnesota, Planned Parenthood has been offering trusted and reliable information to women for more than 80 years.  Last year alone we provided nearly 200,000 cycles of the birth control pill to women in need of affordable, accessible contraception. Ninety-five percent of the care Planned Parenthood provides is preventive and primary. In 2009, PPMNS provided more than 300,000 units of contraception, nearly 58,000 STD tests, more than 20,000 breast cancer screenings and over 17,000 cervical cancer screenings to women and families in need of health care throughout our region.

Since the FDA’s approval of the pill, the number of women who die as a result of pregnancy each year has dropped by half. During that same period, there was a threefold decline in infant deaths. The number of unplanned pregnancies has also declined. And as access to contraception has increased, the rate of abortion has decreased.

The poll released today was designed by Lake Research Partners and administered by Caravan in an omnibus survey conducted by telephone, using professional interviewers. The survey reached a total of 1,009 adults 18 years of age and older, nationwide in the continental United States. It was conducted April 29–May 2, 2010. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent. 

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Contact: Kathi Di Nicola, 651.755.9557

“This is an exciting new chapter in our 82 year history, and it’s made possible entirely by the generosity of our many donors and supporters, who for generations have trusted us to provide quality, affordable and confidential health care services,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz.

The state-of-the-art, LEED-certified building will be located just off the Central Corridor at Charles and Vandalia streets and is slated to be completed in December 2011. The building is designed as a 46,000 square foot, three story structure with a planned future fourth floor of office space. The building will house community education and administrative offices and a full-service reproductive health care clinic.

It will offer patients a comfortable and secure environment for the excellent care they have come to expect from Planned Parenthood. And it will allow PPMNS to streamline its operations in a more accessible location while bringing activity and vitality to the Central Corridor. The Highland Park clinic will remain open until the new location is completed in 2011.

For more than 80 years, PPMNS has proudly served the heart of our region. Fully 95% of our services are preventive, including birth control and information to prevent unintended pregnancy, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and preconception care. We offer comprehensive, affordable health care and a variety of evidence-based, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive sex education programs for women, men, teens, and parents. PPMNS is a leading provider of essential reproductive health care services for all Minnesotans. In the past year alone, PPMNS has served more than 60,000 Minnesotans in need of affordable health care through 25 clinics across the state.

“We have been an established and respected member of this community since 1928 and we are here to stay,” Stoesz said. “We make Minnesota healthier, and we look forward to continuing a tradition of commitment to community in our new location.”

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Contact: Kathi Di Nicola

651.755.9557

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Hey everyone,

I’m excited to let you know that we now have our very own Book Club! The first book we’ll be reading is “Female Chauvinist Pigs” by Ariel Levy, an examination of the place of women in the rise of raunch culture. Questions are posed about the role models of today's society, buzzwords surrounding sexuality today, and the relationship of women with feminism from the past and feminism from today.

Come Join PPMNS volunteers and Friends to discuss this book, woman’s rights, and popular culture’s perspectve towards women. It should be a thought-provoking discussion and an awesome chance to connect with friends of PPMNS.

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Well, the DFL convention is already underway—by Saturday night we’ll know who the DFL nominated candidate is. Very exciting!

But how do all of the candidates at the convention stack up on choice? Here’s a run down of the six DFL candidates who are seeking endorsement:

Former Minority Leader Matt Entenza: Throughout this 12 years in the Minnesota House, Matt maintained a 100% pro-choice voting record.

Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher: As speaker, Margaret has led many efforts to defeat anti-choice bills. As a house member, she was the author of the EC in ER bill as well as the Reproductive Privacy Act.

Senator John Marty: John was the author of the Prevention First bill in 2007 that increased funding for family planning and he has had 100% pro-choice voting record through his career in the Senate..

Rep. Paul Thissen: As the chair of the health policy committee, Paul has been a leader on responsible sex education, and has been integral to ensuring that family planning is fully funded.

Rep. Tom Rukavina: Tom has served for 24 years in the Minnesota House and been a 100% pro-choice voter throughout.

Mayor R.T. Rybak: R.T. has been a leader in teen pregnancy prevention and has been pushing the city to create comprehensive plan to address this problem.

Minnesotans are fortunate to have such a strong field of Pro-Choice candidates. The key will be ensuring that one of them wins so that Minnesota will finally have a pro-choice governor after too many years rolling back women’s rights.

Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund is running a campaign to make sure that the next governor of Minnesota is Pro-Choice. But we can’t do it without you! Your contribution to our PAC will go a long way to making our goal come true. Any amount can make a difference. Click here to make a donation.

More on the candidate’s views on choice:

Rachel Nygaard’s round up on the Candidate’s views on Choice.

Check out WoMN’s video of the candidates answering a question on choice.

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Over the past couple of years, Planned Parenthood has become increasingly involved in the issue of environmental toxins and how they affect our reproductive health. Scientists are continually finding that many of the chemicals contained in products we use daily are having a negative effect on our health—particularly our reproductive health. As protectors of reproductive health, we are committed to addressing this looming environmental issue.

To that end, we’ve created a video that explains why environmental health is an issue that pro-choicers should care about. This Earth Day please take a moment to watch this video and then share it with your friends and family, as well as with your networks on facebook and twitter. For more information visit greenischoice.org

If you are interested in learning more, please come to our at Earth Day Education event at our Uptown office TONIGHT. We are also thrilled to have presenter, Dr. David Wallinga, Director of Food and Health program from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, join us for a great discussion on this issue. Our Teen Council will also instruct participants on making their own environmentally-friendly cosmetics and cleaning supplies. The event is tonight from 6-8pm at our office in Minneapolis located at 1200 Lagoon Avenue. For more information or to RSVP please email volunteers@ppmns.org.