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William J. Borner, board chair, and Wendy Stark, president and CEO of PPGNY, took to the platform to touch on PPGNY\u2019s reach\u2014having served over 87,000 patients across New York state in the past year alone. Stark also highlighted those who are increasingly vulnerable and threatened with losing their right to healthcare, abortion access, and gender-affirming care. \u201cThe times that we\u2019re living in now will change,\u201d she said. \u201cThis too shall pass and there are enough of us around the country fighting for what is right. Know that there is a brighter future ahead\u2014and don\u2019t give up hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amy Poehler, Isa Briones, Melissa McCarthy, and Jenny Slate were among the starry talent who had also sent video messages voicing their support for the organization\u2014and their words certainly helped to bolster the evening\u2019s fundraising. Auctioneer Kimberly Pirtle Gabriel, assistant vice president of Sotheby’s Global Fine Art, led the paddle raise round\u2014her energy on par with her fabulous chartreuse ensemble.<\/p>\n
Others in attendance included Patricia Arquette, Marilyn Minter, Hannah Bronfman, and Iris Apatow. It\u2019s a cause close to the Pretty Lethal<\/em> star\u2019s heart, as she volunteered with the University of Southern California\u2019s Planned Parenthood chapter doing boots-on-the-ground work during her school years. \u201cI got to go to a lot of fairs, hand out brochures, talk to people, and educate them,\u201d Apatow told Vogue.<\/em> \u201cIt\u2019s good to learn how to educate people\u2014it\u2019s an active way of how I spring into action.\u201d<\/p>\n The night even debuted new merch for PPGNY\u2014splashed with slogans like \u2018Don\u2019t F*ck With Us, Don\u2019t F*ck Without Us\u2019\u2014which was for sale alongside the work of other New York-based labels like Miss Claire Sullivan and Zankov.<\/p>\n No matter where you looked, PPNYG\u2019s main message was not to be missed. Alexis McGill Johnson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, urged the room: \u201cHere\u2019s the thing: you don\u2019t get ready\u2014you stay<\/em> ready. Don\u2019t ask for permission. Stand up to people, because we are all here to ensure that your freedom is free. You should not have to work as hard as the generations before us; the only work you need to do is to make sure that you pass it on.\u201d<\/p>\n As the night wrapped and the last bites of lemon meringue were enjoyed, one poignant statement from Moore-Hart lingered in the air. \u201cKnock on doors, donate, educate yourself, and help to educate others. It\u2019s only human that we don\u2019t tend to care about things until we\u2019re directly affected by them\u2014and that\u2019s something that should be looked at and changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n