Photo by Bryant Hill

From left, Westbankers and Ausley Leadership Award recipients Eric Harslem and Rani Clasquin with Ausley Leadership Award benefactors Tom and Robbie Ausley

By Holly Jackson

Contributing Writer

More than 800 supporters attended Planned Parenthood’s recent 16th annual Public Affairs Dinner fundraiser at Renaissance Austin Hotel.

The theme for the sold-out event was “The Choice for Generations,” and the co-chairs were Aimee Boone and Westbanker Beverly Reeves.

The dinner traditionally features a high-profile speaker on current issues, and this year’s event showcased keynote speaker Anna Quindlen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author and board member of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. A former Newsweek and New York Times columnist, Quindlen has given her perspective on events of the day for 30 years, delicately balancing the personal and political.

State Sen. Kirk Watson again served as master of ceremonies. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell issued a proclamation designating Planned Parenthood Day in Austin and recognized its 73 years of service. Renowned lawyer Sarah Weddington, who co-argued the landmark Roe v. Wade case in the U.S. Supreme Court, was an honored guest.

The Westbank family of Rani Clasquin, Eric Harslem and daughter Kate Harslem were presented the seventh annual Robbie and Tom Ausley Leadership Award for their steadfast commitment to improving healthcare access and enhancing education opportunities in Austin.

”Sex education is vital to a healthy society,” Rani Clasquin said.

A smoked chicken dinner concluded with a moving and memorable message from Quindlen.

“Families’ economic well-being is connected to their healthcare,” Quindlen said. “Assign children resources as if our future depends on it. Planned Parenthood ultimately exists to provide a healthy life for wanted children.”

She received an enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience.

Proceeds generated a record-breaking $650,000 for their three locations. A portion of those funds are designated for the Austin Stands with Planned Parenthood campaign, which supports the East Seventh Street health center that lost all government funding due to budget elimination of two-thirds of family planning programs in Texas.

“The generous support of our donors in Austin and Westlake at this dinner ensures that low-income and uninsured men, women and teens can depend on Planned Parenthood for quality, affordable, reproductive healthcare and education in the year ahead,” said Sarah Wheat, interim co-chief executive officer.

More than 33,000 clients rely on well-woman exams, cancer screenings, vaccinations, testing and birth control.

For more information on this nonprofit, visit www.ppaustin.org.