NARAL 2011 Power Of Choice Summit Honors Corky Hale Stoller

NARAL Pro-Choice America's 2011 Power of Choice Summit & Reception held on Thursday, September 15th honoring 2011 Champion of Choice, renowned pianist, harpist and singer, Corky Hale Stoller, were both sold out, standing room only events. The Summit, a first in Los Angeles for NARAL Pro-Choice America, was held at the Directors Guild of America, while the Reception, co-chaired by Academy Award nominated actress, Felicity Huffman, and CaliforniaList Founder, Bettina Duval, was held at The Standard, Hollywood Hotel.

Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America, said: "Los Angeles is a trend setter in America. The turnout for this year's events was an affirmation of pro-choice values." Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California, added: "Both the Summit and the Reception were extraordinary. Celebrities, activists and donors showed their pro-choice power and support."

The Summit brought together students, activists and community leaders for education and training in the choice movement. Speakers included: Abbe Land, West Hollywood City Councilmember; Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America; Corky Hale Stoller, 2011 Champion of Choice; Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California; Sarah LaDue, Public Affairs Manager, NARAL Pro-Choice California; Gabriela Valle, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice; and Jan Robinson Flint, Black Women for Wellness.

VIPS in attendance at the Reception included: Selma Archerd and Richard Amsterdam, Amy Brenneman and Brad Silberling, Beth Broderick, Sarah Brokaw, California State Assemblymember Betsy Butler, West Hollywood Mayor John Duran, Bettina Duval, David Eigenberg, Amy Everitt, Shirlee Fonda and Robert Wolders, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Cara Goldberg, Felicity Huffman, Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Stanley Isaacs, Caitlin Keats, Nancy Keenan, Sally Kellerman, Sarah Kelly, Torie Osborn, Patrik-Ian Polk, California State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Arlene Sarner, Joyce Schorr and Arnie Schorr, Darryl Stephens, Corky Hale Stoller and Mike Stoller, Sybil Stoller, Suzanne Whang and, Jeanie Wolf and Peter Wolf, among others.

Corky Hale Stoller, the recipient of NARAL Pro-Choice America's 2011 Champion of Choice Award, was given a prolonged standing ovation for her lifelong commitment and dedication for ensuring that women have access to reproductive health care. She was presented with a glass Tiffany award from Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America. Upon accepting the award Corky Hale Stoller thanked NARAL Pro-Choice America for honoring her and urged those in attendance to continue their support of pro-choice. In 2005, Corky Hale Stoller and her husband, multiple Grammy Award-winning songwriter, Mike Stoller, built the state-of-the art Dorothy Hecht Health Center in partnership with Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. Corky Hale Stoller is a former board member of NARAL Pro-Choice America and a founding board member of WRRAP (Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project).

Honorary Co-Chairs of NARAL Pro-Choice America's 2011 Power of Choice Summit & Reception included: California State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, and West Hollywood Councilmember Abbe Land. Honorary Circle Members include California State Senator Alex Padilla, California State Senator Fran Pavley, California State Assemblymember Betsy Butler, West Hollywood Mayor John Duran, and Pasadena City Councilmember Jacque Robinson.

The 18 partner organizations which participated in the 2011 Power of Choice Summit included: ACLU of Southern California, ACT for Women and Girls, Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, Black Women for Wellness, California Family Health Council, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, CALIFORNIALIST, Downtown Women's Center, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of Jewish Women - Los Angeles, National Women's Political Caucus - LA Westside, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, Reproductive Justice Coalition of Los Angeles, USC Keck Medical Students for Choice, The Women's Foundation of California, Women's Health Specialists of California and Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project.

NARAL Pro-Choice America, which counts more than 70,000 member activists in California and one million nationwide, is a national organization that utilizes the political process to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices. For further information on NARAL Pro-Choice California, please visit the website www.ProChoiceCalifornia.org.

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