VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood

Media Kit
Included inside:
Media Backgrounder
FAQ Sheet
Logo with Tagline
Feature Story Pitch
Radio PSA Script
Media Clips

Brought to you by

Miles Barnes, Claire Perrin and Emily Stafford

Media Backgrounder for VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood

Press Contact: Emily Stafford
(425) 241-6569
staffoe@students.wwu.edu
Overview:
VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood is an Associated Students club on Western Washington
Universitys campus. VOX aims to educate and inspire young adults by way of advocating
reproductive freedom, as well as supporting the local Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood affiliation.
VOX provides barrier contraceptives (male condoms) and ample information regarding sex
education to students. The main message of VOX is to empower Western Washington University
students to voice their pro-choice beliefs, and work together to take action for reproductive health
and rights.
Current Activities:
VOX currently has clubs set up at Western, Whatcom Community College and Skagit
Community College. VOX members collaborate and create engaging activities and events to
educate young adults about threats to reproductive health and freedom. Members also organize
and mobilize their peers and community to become more involved.
Here on WWUs campus, members of VOX encourage young adults to be aware and educated in
terms of sexual health and be able to stand up for their reproductive rights. VOX meets every
Monday at 6 p.m. in room 410 at Academic West. VOX hosts Free Condom Fridays, and
provides educational resources and contraceptives for students.
Current Situation:
VOX members are currently gathering signatures to lobby against the decision made by the US
Supreme Court in June 2014, known as the Hobby Lobby case. The Court ruled in favor of
religious-based companies not being required to provide female workers with contraceptives. The
main mission of VOX is to allow young adults to stand up for the reproductive rights; therefore
VOX is attempting to mobilize Western students to sign and petition alongside them. VOX is also
discussing ideas on how to get more male involvement in the club, as currently there are only a few
male members that come to meetings. The members of VOX collectively agree that feminism and
reproductive rights are generally framed as being womens issues by the general public and
society as a whole. In response to this, the members of VOX are currently brainstorming ways to
make sure all Western students are aware that they should take part in womens rights issues, as
well as sexual education.

Facts:
Teen Pregnancies Affect College:

Sixty-one percent of women who have children after enrolling in college do not complete
their degree.i
Women who give birth while attending a community college are 65 percent less likely to
complete their degree.2
In terms of teenage mothers, only 2 percent are expected to finish college by age 30.

Children of teen mothers are 50 percent more likely to repeat a grade once they are
attending school.

Each year, almost half of the 20 million sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed are among
people 15-24 years old.3
o About one in four of all new HIV infections are among 13-24 years old.
o About four in five of these HIV infections occur in males.

Planned Parenthood:

One of Planned Parenthoods main mission statements is that every woman deserves the
chance to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Emergency contraception has been available for
almost 40 years.4
In 2012, partners of Planned Parenthood Federation of America served more than
725,000 individuals in 10 developing countries in terms of reproductive health care and
education, as well as worked to raise awareness of international reproductive health and
rights issues in terms of U.S. laws and policies.5
Health Educators trained by Planned Parenthood offer free programs to public schools, as
well as other social service agencies. They work with teachers and program coordinators to
design presentations that are custom-fit for a specific classroom or group.
o Mount Baker Planned Parenthoods Advocates for Sexual Health Knowledge
(ASK) are a group of high school students that do the following:6
Engage their peers and inform community
Participate in public speaking and educational presentations
Create media campaigns and video productions
o VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood is a college activist group with leaders
employed by Mount Baker Planned Parenthood:7
Educate and engage college peers
Provide contraceptives and informational sessions
Sponsor and organize events related to VOX missions and goals
While private providers charge fees for their services, Planned Parenthood is a non-profit
organization, and patients will be offered services based on a discount fee scale. This
provides is a huge financial relief for:8

o
o
o
o

Less affluent patients

Patients who lack insurance
Teenagers that lack financial support from their parents
College-aged men and women

Sylvia Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al., Petitioners v. Hobby Lobby
Stores, Inc., et al.:

In June 2014, the US Supreme Court ruled that corporations run by families with religious
backgrounds cannot be required to pay for contraception coverage for their female
workers. The court stated that requiring family-owned corporations to pay for insurance
coverage for contraception under the Affordable Care Act violated federal law protecting
religious freedom.9
The contraceptive coverage requirement had been challenged by two corporations whose
owners said they were trying to run their businesses on Christian principles. The coverage
requirement had previously been challenged by 50 other cases as well.
If religious family-owned corporations choose to imitate Hobby Lobby and win an
exemption from the Affordable Care Acts requirement for coverage of contraception, it is
estimated that the cost for contraception will be even harder for women to afford.10

Organization Contacts:
President/Coordinator/Director: Halle Goldner

Plans meetings, coordinates events, liaison with other clubs on campus

Majoring in Community Health and minoring in Womens Studies
Prides herself in being able to provide nonbiased, educational material to Western students
and the community
Email: halle.goldner@mbpp.org
Phone Number: 425.466.9347

Field Director: Nilofar Ganjaie

Oversees budgets, acts as liaison between Mount Baker Planned Parenthood and VOX
Double majoring in Human Services and Political Science
Planned, executed and hosted Project Protections Condom Fashion Show in 2014
Email: nilofar.ganjaie@mbpp.org
Office Number: 360.603.7705

Halle Goldner
Photo courtesy of VOX WWU https://www.facebook.com/MBPPVOX

Nilofar Ganjaie
Photo courtesy of Nilofar Ganjaie

Boilerplate:
Western Washington Universitys Voices for Planned Parenthood (VOX), an Associated Students
Club, encourages young adults to advocate reproductive freedom, as well as providing sexual
education and contraceptives on Westerns campus. VOX has been an active club on campus
since 2008, and this year is being led by club president Halle Goldner. Currently, VOX is
gathering signatures to lobby against the US Supreme Court ruling of the Hobby Lobby case, in
which the court ruled that corporations run by families with religious backgrounds cannot be
required to pay for contraception coverage for their female workers. Future plans of VOX include
continuing Free Condom Fridays and hosting this years Condom Fashion Show. VOX currently
has clubs set up at Western, Whatcom Community College and Skagit Community College. For
more information, visit http://asclubs.wwu.edu/show_profile/46447-vox-voices-for-plannedparenthood.

Sources :
i

Teen Pregnancy Prevention, National Conference of State Legislatures, last modified in 2014.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/teen-pregnancy-prevention.aspx#Edu

"Postcard: Teen Pregnancy Affects Graduation Rates," National Conference of State Legislatures,
last modified in 2014. http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/teen-pregnancy-affectsgraduation-rates-postcard.aspx

College Health and Safety, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified August 6,
2014. http://www.cdc.gov/family/college/

Emergency Contraception: History and Access, Planned Parenthood Federation of America,

last modified August 2013. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/5713/9611/6188/

Programs, Planned Parenthood Mt. Baker, last modified in 2014.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-mt-baker/local-educationtraining/programs

Youth Education, Planned Parenthood Mt. Baker, last modified in 2014.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-mt-baker/local-educationtraining/teen-education
7
VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood, Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood, last modified in 2014.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-mt-baker/get-involvedlocally/youth-activism/vox-voices-planned-parenthood

Other Planned, Associated in OBGYN Care, last modified in 2011.

http://www.associatesinobgyncare.com/other_planned.htm

Liptak, Adam. "Supreme Court Rejects Contraceptives Mandate for Some Corporations," The
New York Times, last modified on June 30, 2014.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/01
/us/hobby-lobby-case-supreme-court-contraception.html

10

Carroll, Aaron E. "How Hobby Lobby Ruling Could Limit Access to Birth Control," The New
York Times, last modified on June 30, 2014.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/02/upshot/how-hobby-lobby-ruling-could-limit-access-tobirth-control.html?abt=0002&abg=1

MediaBackgrounder113014

Press Contact:
Miles Barnes
360-265-9081
barnesm4@students.wwu.edu

Voices for Planned Parenthood Top 10 most Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What is VOX?
A: VOX is short for Voices for Planned Parenthood. VOX provides a safe place to talk
about reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood in the news, as well as in the
community.
2. Q: When does VOX meet?
A: VOX meets every Monday at 6 p.m. in Academic West room 410.
3. Q: Are there any services VOX provides?
A: VOX currently hosts Free Condom Friday on Vendors Row every Friday from 9 a.m.
to 11 a.m. VOX also provides a safe place to talk about anything that relating to
reproductive rights or Planned Parenthood the organization.
4. Q: Is there a fee to join VOX?
A: No fee required. VOX is open to the public and welcomes new members to attend all
meetings and events.
5. Q: How can I get involved?
A: The best way for you to get involved is to attend regular meetings and keep up to
date with VOXs Facebook and Twitter pages.
6. Q: What are some things that I will get to do?
A: At meetings we will discuss a wide variety of issues such as feminism, reproductive
rights, and upcoming events. We will also vote each week to select our topics of
discussion.

7. Q: Are there any requirements to join VOX?

A: There are currently no requirements to join VOX and both men and women are
encouraged to attend all meetings and events.
8. Q: Can I find VOX on Facebook or Twitter?
A: VOX can be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MBPPVOX) and on Twitter
(www.twitter.com/VOXroxWWU)
9. Q: What is VOX affiliation with Planned Parenthood?
A: The WWU chapter of VOX is directly affiliated with Mount Baker Planned
Parenthood. Several members, including VOX President Halle Goldner are employees
at Planned Parenthood.
10. Q: What other clubs on campus is VOX involved with?
A: VOX is currently involved with Middle Women as well as the Womens Center and
the Social Awareness Center.

Its your voice; its your choice

Dear Katy Garza and Caity Walthall,

Western Washington University student Halle Goldner, 20, was taught to raise her voice from a
young age, even when others attempted to squash her beliefs.
Goldner, a WWU Junior studying Psychology, is the President of Voices for Planned Parenthood
(VOX). Her personal experiences, specifically in regards to how she was raised, have given her a
passion for feminism and access to sexual health resources. As a result of her upbringing Goldner
was taught not only to speak up for herself, but also to allow others their fundamental right to do so.
It is the implementation of this behavior that maintains the our club mentality, that is, VOX being
a context in which anyone can share their opinions, over the my club model. Goldners hope for
VOX is that it can be a place through which people can talk openly about real issues without the
fear of being judged or reprimanded as a result.
VOX is an Associated Students club on the WWU Campus and is therefore accessible and relevant
to your readership. College is a time during which many adults begin to develop their own beliefs
and practices as far as sexual health and it is likely for questions to arise. According to the CDC
nearly half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) diagnosed each year are
among young people aged 1524 years. VOXs goal is to walk with students through this time by
providing answers, contraception and real discussions with others who care deeply about such
issues.
One potential interviewee is Eric Larson, one of the few male members in VOX. Larson would be a
good resource as to the involvement of men in the group and the resources and benefits provided
for them. He also feels strongly about sexual health issues and fostering an open conversation in
which both men and women can participate. Nicole is the former president of VOX and a former
intern of MBPP. She would also be a great resource in regards to specifics about VOX and MBPP.
Goldner is a rarity among a sea of students who seek to blend in as much as possible. She does not
let potential discomfort or naysayers take her voice. This fact makes her story of particular interest,
especially because her openness is regarding what many consider sensitive and private material.
More information can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/MBPPVOX/timeline. Attached is
a photo of Goldner in addition to a VOX media backgrounder. Please feel free to contact me
directly if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Claire Perrin
Perrinc2@students.wwu.edu
(425)-445-4671

Oct. 28, 2014 For Immediate Release

Contact: Miles Barnes (360) 265-9081 barnesm4@students.wwu.edu
www.facebook.com/mbppvox
Voices for Planned Parenthood (VOX) Script
30 sec. Radio PSA
Knowledge of sexual health is everyones right. Voices for Planned Parenthood at
Western Washington University is here to help raise awareness as well as educate young
people about sexual and reproductive health. Sexual health isnt just a man or a woman
problem; its a human problem. [PAUSE] Visit W-W-W dot Facebook dot COM slash M-B-P-P-VO-X or attend a meeting every Monday at six p.m. in Academic West room four-ten. Dont
become another statistic. VOX, its your voice, its your choice.

Students strut the catwalk in wearable art - Features - The Western Front

Students strut the catwalk in wearable art

Mike Alton | Updated Oct 5, 2012

Western sophomore Melissa Gleason wore a dark green Astroturf dress ending midthigh. Flowers in a multitude of color grew from her dress, and to the green ivy that
traveled her neon green stalkings. She put condom pocket in the Astroturf at her hip.
Dark green eyelashes an inch long jutted from her eyelids. Flowers entangled in her
hair, and she held a light green cloth behind her back, stretching it out as she strutted
the catwalk. If Mother Nature is a college student, then Gleason fit the profile.
Show winner Gleason created and modeled her outfit on the theme "vibrance and the
burst of life" in the spring.
"Springtime reminds me of the vibrant life bursting into beauty after the quiet winter,"
Gleason said. "My design is this in action. Relationships with people and this burst of life
go hand-in-hand."
Western Associated Student club VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood members and
Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood created a wearable-art awards show with a healthy
relationship theme, but performed the show off-campus to avoid criticism from those
opposing May 12 Sexual Awareness Week.
Marketing Director Christina Kobdish of Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood said the VOX
Wearable Art Awards Show occurred at an off-campus location to give the contestants a
professional atmosphere and avoid conflicts of interests at Western.
"Participants were excited more that the event was moved to a hotel off campus
because it made it seem more like a real show," Kobdish said.

Western junior and VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood Campus Organizer Carrie
McInturff said approximately 80 people attended the free show at Hampton Inn's Fox
Hall May 20, more people than expected since the location changed three days before.
Ten women and one male/female duo displayed their outfits in the show, with costumes
ranging from animal representations, springtime vegetation and a representation of the
G-Spot, a female erogenous zone.
Amy Beliveau Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood public affairs coordinator said "vox" is the
Latin word for voice, and the club is a voice for the right to reproductive health services,
a topic she said the state threatens.
Judges rated the costumes for originality, creative use of materials, details and a
message for the costume's theme. Costumes were required to include a condom pocket
or way to dispense one, and no nudity.
"The theme of our show was to get people to start thinking about what is a healthy
relationship," said Beliveau. "It's about healthy sexuality," Beliveau said. "If people do
choose to have sexual relationships, they should be safe."
Beliveau said New Zealand has a similar annual wearable art awards show.
Western sophomore Yvonne Sharik placed second in the contest with her design Punk
Rock Peacock.
Sharik wore a blue dress made of Astroturf shingles representing the breast feathers of
the peacock. From her backside, gray metal poles fanned upward, attached together by
cords every few inches. On each cord between the eight or so poles hung shiny metallic
squares.
Gleason said friends attached each of the poles and approximately 70 metal squares by
hand on Sharik.

During the show McInturff introduced the model and designer's name if applicable, and
read aloud the creator's description of the costume.
Western freshmen Kelsey Harper chose the G-Spot as the theme for her costume. She
wore a brown trench coat to "protect" her inside red dress symbolizing the female
erogenous zone. She walked the stage opening her coat to expose the red dress.
In Harper's description she wrote, "The G-Spot is a controversial erogenous zone that is
designed to make sex fun, and yet like everything, wishes to be protected. Protect your
G-Spot and you will find your big 'O."
The winning three contestants received cash awards and audience members received
gift bags.
Beliveau said from the audience turnout, she said she hopes to make the VOX
Wearable Art Awards Show an annual event.
Full article provided by The Western Front.

Women at Western: Pro-life protests and counter protests - The Western Front: News

Women at Western: Pro-life protests and counter

protests

Photo courtesy VOX WWU https://www.facebook.com/MBPPVOX

Women at Western
Posted Friday, October 31, 2014 9:00 am
Pro-choice counter-protestor in Red Square

Full Article and Additional Images provided by The Western Front.

Dueling Planned Parenthood protests hit Red Square - The Western Front: News

Dueling Planned Parenthood protests hit Red

Square

Paul Bikis

Planned Parenthood Protest

A group of pro-life supporters plant a graveyard of pink crosses to signify the deaths presented by
abortions each year by Planned Parenthood, Tuesday, Oct. 28. Planned Parenthood is a nationwide
healthcare provider, specializing in reproductive assistance, sex education, STD screenings and more.
Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2014 10:24 pm
Katya Skachkov | 0 comments

Nine hundred fifteen pink crosses were aligned across the lawn of Westerns
Humanities Building on Tuesday, Oct. 28, as Western Students for Life of America
came together to showcase a national awareness project.
Students for Lifes Planned Parenthood Project is aimed to educate students about the
organizations motives and turn students against abortion, according to the Planned
Parenthood Project website.
We are exposing Planned Parenthood as a business and showing to campus that their
agenda is abortion, said Katie Lodjic, president of Westerns Student for Life club.

According to the project, Planned Parenthood made over $150 million in revenue from
the 333,965 abortions they performed in 2011, averaging 915 abortions every day.
Lisa Atkins, northwest regional coordinator for Student for Life of America, said that
because Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion vendor in America the project
focuses on questioning their tactics and profits.
In response to the project, Halle Goldner, Voices for Planned Parenthood, VOX,
campus coordinator, quickly gathered club members to stage a counter protest.
Goldner said the claims that Planned Parenthood makes immense profits from abortion
are not true because they are a non-profit organization. Furthermore, the abortion
quotas that they have to reach each year do not exist, Goldner said.
I didnt want [pro-life] to be the only side of the debate that was heard today, she said.
According to the Planned Parenthood 2012-2013 annual report, 3 percent of their
services were attributed to conducting abortions. The report also stated that the $1.21
billion revenue was acquired from non-government health services, government grants
and reimbursements, private contributors and support from affiliates.
Although Planned Parenthood does provide abortion services, it is not 90 percent of
what the organization offers, Goldner said.
STD tests for men and woman, vasectomies, general health, birth control and
transgender health services are amongst the other health care services Planned
Parenthood provides for patients, according to the organizations website.
Atkins said that the Students for Life organization and club on campus focus on starting
a dialogue for those who arent aware of the fact that Planned Parenthood conducts
abortions.
Abortion is a topic not everyone necessarily likes talking about, Atkins said. So we
want to illuminate it and bring it to the surface and make people talk about it.
The 915 pink crosses symbolize the amount of abortions conducted every day by
Planned Parenthood.
Western senior Kiley Bateman said she has previously seen the cross representation in
the farm fields driving through Lynden, Washington.
Its pretty dramatic and seems excessive, she said.

The Students for Life organization and the club are on campus to be a resource and
help women who have had abortions or those with concerns in regard to the topic,
Atkins said.
Goldner said their intention for the protest was to provide more information to students
and more importantly, provide support.
Its a free-speech zone and weve got two sides each giving their point, Bateman said.
Im happy to see Planned Parenthood come out to stand up next to [Students for Life].

See full article provided by The Western Front.