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NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation

Program
Mistress of Ceremonies: Susie Essman
Susie Essman has played the sassy Susie Greene for all seven seasons of the critically-acclaimed HBO comedy series, Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her hilarious bouts of withering sarcasm and uninhibited insults have become her character’s trademark. Susie’s streetwise vernacular is perfectly suited for her life in Manhattan where she has been a veteran of the world of stand up comedy for twenty-five years. She has appeared in her own half-hour HBO comedy special, made numerous appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The View, and Crank Yankers, to name just a few other many television credits. Susie divides her time between New York City and upstate New York where she lives with her husband, four step-children, and two dogs.

Keynote Speaker: Hon. Patrick Murphy
In 2006, Patrick Murphy became the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress,defeating the virulently anti-choice incumbent Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick. NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC endorsed Murphy in that race that helped move Independent and Republican pro-choice women to vote for him. The PAC supported him in his subsequent runs in 2008 and 2010, because of his strongly held and articulated pro-choice beliefs. Murphy, who taught constitutional law at West Point, is a champion of choice who has spoken out against multiple anti-choice attacks and supported legislation to protect women’s health and privacy. Murphy’s commitment to public service is continuing as he seeks to become Pennsylvania’s next attorney general.

Champion of Choice Award: DC Abortion Fund
The DC Abortion Fund (DCAF) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that makes grants to women in the greater Washington, DC area who cannot afford the full cost of an abortion. DCAF is the only organization that focuses solely on providing this service for women in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Last year, DCAF’s free, confidential funding helpline received unprecedented call volume, with more than 2,000 calls. The organization’s work is especially important given the recently re-imposed ban on DC leaders’ ability to use locally-raised funds to provide low-income women with abortion care.

Remarks: Nancy Keenan, President, NARAL Pro-Choice America
Under Nancy's leadership, NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state-level affiliates like NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia have an impressive array of achievements under their belt. NARAL's prowess as a policy expert, lobbying force and political influence is well-known. Leading media, including the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, The New York Times, and MSNBC, turn to Nancy Keenan as the leading thoughtful, strategic voice of the pro-choice movement. The Detroit News described her as both "forthright and politically savvy." The American Prospect called her organization's work to develop a values-based pro-choice message" a cunning strategy" that allows "advocates to define the terms of the debate."

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Please contact Caroline O'Shea at caroline@naralva.org or 202-973-3085 with any questions.