FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2012
NARAL Pro-Choice America to Honor Sandra Fluke at Third Annual Multi-Generational Brunch
The organization’s Future Direction Committee of young professionals will gather pro-choice supporters to mark the importance of personal stories
Washington, D.C. – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, today announced that Georgetown Law student and reproductive-justice advocate Sandra Fluke will receive the organization’s Stand Up For Choice Award at a multi-generational event slated for April 22 in New York City.
Fluke gained national attention after she was initially denied the opportunity to testify before a congressional committee in support of the Obama administration’s contraceptive-coverage policy. Fluke withstood vile attacks from conservative right-wing media and other opponents of birth control as she spoke out for improving women’s ability to get birth control without a copay. Her work even prompted a call of support from President Obama.
“We are thrilled to honor Sandra Fluke with the Stand Up For Choice Award at this year’s multi-generational brunch,” said Amanda Hirsh, chair of the Future Direction Committee. “Attempts to silence voices like Sandra’s have failed. Young leaders across the country are looking to Sandra as an inspiration. We have cheered for her as she eloquently outlined her support for contraceptive coverage, and we can’t wait to commend her strength and perseverance in person. “
NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Future Direction Committee is made up of young professionals who represent the next generation of pro-choice leaders. It is part of the organization’s ongoing efforts, including ground-breaking public opinion research, to further engage members of the Millennial Generation in the pro-choice cause.
Keenan said working with leaders like Fluke and listening to and learning from the experiences of these younger individuals is critical, given that the Millennial Generation will account for 40 percent of eligible voters by 2020.
“Sandra is a remarkable leader and a true hero in the reproductive-rights community,” Keenan said. “This event brings together women and men from many generations, and the one thing that unites us all is the personal stories that are the reason for our joining this cause. Without a doubt, many people have witnessed Sandra’s strength over these last few weeks and have been inspired to join her in standing up for women’s freedom and privacy. Her story is one of courage and conviction, and it’s a reminder of why we must continue to connect the personal to the politicial, as who sits in the seats of power makes a difference in our lives.”
Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032
Women's rights advocate and  law student Sandra Fluke was recognized Sunday, April 22 with the ''Stand Up for Choice Award''. Fluke was given the ''Stand Up for Choice Award'' at the "Third Annual Multi-Generational Brunch" of the organization  which was held in New York City (NYC), New York in the United States. 

Sandra Fluke reading her prepared testimony 


The organization's president, , attended the event and had previously spoken in favor of Fluke in a press release announcing the award. "Sandra is a remarkable leader and a true hero in the reproductive-rights community. This event brings together women and men from many generations, and the one thing that unites us all is the personal stories that are the reason for our joining this cause. Without a doubt, many people have witnessed Sandra's strength over these last few weeks and have been inspired to join her in standing up for women's freedom and privacy."

Chair of the NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Future Direction Committee Amanda Hirsh released a statement in support of Fluke saying, "we are thrilled to honor Sandra Fluke with the ''Stand Up For Choice Award'' at this year's multi-generational brunch. Attempts to silence voices like Sandra's have failed. Young leaders across the country are looking to Sandra as an inspiration."


Fluke responded to a post on  from NARAL congratulating her on receiving the award, stating, "I was honored to receive it! Thank you! I'm very humbled by the inspiring stories women told of their own lives."

Fluke received a nomination in March as a candidate for '''' magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. The list is released annually as a special edition of ''Time'' magazine, titled ''''.

She gave testimony to the US Congress on February 23 before the  on a hearing about  and . She also worked for Sanctuary for Families in NYC which worked to crackdown on human trafficking and domestic violence.