VERO BEACH — As they approached the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for Wednesday evening’s Cocktails with a Twist fundraiser to benefit Planned Parenthood, many attendees admitted they anticipated encountering a few picketers, but all was quiet. They remembered that last year the management at Oak Harbor Club buckled at the prospect of sign-wielding demonstrators and canceled one day prior to the scheduled event.
That debacle turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Planned Parenthood, which rescheduled the party at a private home and garnered an even greater outpouring of community support. It also served to strengthen the resolve of its advocates, provoked by the affront like a nest of normally passive honeybees whose nest had been poked by a stick.
“We immediately contacted them when the rug was pulled out from under them last year, but someone else had already offered a location,” said Rev. Scott Alexander, minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach.
“We believe in women’s reproductive freedom. Our denomination has supported a woman’s right to choose for decades. It’s the law of the land and we support that. We believe women have the right to make those types of decisions about their future and their family’s future.”
When asked about possible adverse reactions over the decision to host this year’s function, Rev. Alexander replied, “Everyone should be civil in these types of disputes. The country is divided over reproductive rights but everyone should respect the views of others. We need more civil discourse in this country – fewer placards and more conversation.”
Approximately 120 guests mingled over cocktails and a sumptuous array of hors d’oeuvres from Chelsea’s, listening to music by acoustic guitarists Jason and Dave, catching up with long-time Veroites and meeting newly relocated supporters. The buzz around the room centered on the incredulity that Planned Parenthood, founded at the same time suffragettes were fighting for a woman’s right to vote, is still battling for the rights of women to control their own lives.
“I want to offer congratulations to the community for their continued support and for standing behind Planned Parenthood,” said Lillian Tamayo, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast. “We need to continue supporting women and families and to keep providing affordable healthcare initiatives including contraception. It is such a fundamental basic for family planning. We do more to prevent unwanted pregnancies than any other organization. We want to invest in prevention and help women plan their families.”
“It’s something that’s been very important to me all my life,” said Sharyn Seiler, who co-chaired the event with Dr. Linda MacDonald. “I felt now it was time to step up and support it, mainly because of what has been happening on the political scene. They can’t keep pushing women back 40 years on reproductive issues. Planned Parenthood not only supports women – its men, teens and young adults as well. Without us, they would have nowhere else to turn. It covers such a wide spectrum and people don’t seem to realize it.”
Dr. MacDonald retired from private practice, but still volunteers as a gynecologist at the Indian River County Health Department.
“I see such a great need for women’s general health care and women’s reproductive health care,” said MacDonald. “Planned Parenthood really has a central role to provide these services to women who would not otherwise have access.”
Twelve years ago, Tamayo took the reins of an ever growing regional territory, which is currently the largest in Florida, with 10 health centers in eight counties. Nationwide, one in five women has used Planned Parenthood services in their lifetime. The event raised more than $62,000 to benefit reproductive health care and sexual health education programs.
“This is the community that stands up like no other,” said Tamayo. “At Planned Parenthood, we believe healthcare is a basic and fundamental right. Everyone has the right to be healthy.”
