Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee (PPMET) recognizes University School of Nashville counselor and teacher Anita Schmid and the Education Department of Nashville CARES as the 2008 Family Life Educators of the year in recognition of outstanding family life and human sexuality education.

The awards will be presented at PPMET's "Gala in the Garden" at Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville tonight. The featured speaker will be Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Ms. Richards is the former deputy chief of staff for Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

More details in the press releases after the jump...

Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee Announces 2008 Family Life Educator Awards

Nashville, TN: Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee (PPMET) names University School of Nashville counselor and teacher Anita Schmid and the Education Department of Nashville CARES the 2008 Family Life Educators (FLE) of the Year.

The Family Life Educator Award, established in 1992, recognizes educators who offer family life and human sexuality education in an exemplary manner. Criteria for selection include creative use of a variety of resources and an emphasis on the values of responsibility, respect, and healthy decision-making. The 2008 honorees will receive cash awards and special recognition at Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee’s “Gala in the Garden” on Thursday, May 8th.

During her tenure at University School of Nashville (USN), Anita Schmid has engaged students and parents through diverse and creative programming. Regarding her philosophy as an educator, Schmid writes, “Meeting students where they are and giving them food for thought in critical areas communicates a respect for teens that helps them build respect for themselves and for each other.” As coordinator of USN’s Peer Educator Assistants and Student Advisory Council, Ms. Schmid has successfully integrated the topic of sexuality into student-driven discussions that empower young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthier life decisions. Ms. Schmid uses innovative, interactive teaching methods to maintain a non-judgmental learning environment where students feel comfortable discussing the sensitive issues of sexuality. Reflecting upon her experience as a Peer Educator Assistant, one USN student writes, “Ms. Schmid taught us how to guide a person to make their own decisions instead of telling a person how to make a decision. In order to guide someone, Ms. Schmid taught me that one must know how to listen and be extraordinarily empathetic.”

Since its inception in 1985, Nashville CARES has provided direct services, counseling, and education to thousands of clients affected by HIV/AIDS throughout Middle Tennessee. Today, the Nashville CARES Education Department reaches 35,000 adults and youth each year to raise awareness about AIDS, help reduce the risk of new HIV infections, and help people face the emotional, social, and psychological challenges of living with HIV/AIDS. Through its award-winning outreach, prevention, and support programs, Nashville CARES education offers “a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention, supporting decisions by young people to delay sexual behavior and giving sexually active individuals the skills to change risky behavior.” By integrating topics such as healthy relationships, sexual decision making, and reproductive anatomy into their workshops, outreach, and counseling efforts, CARES educators posit HIV management and prevention as a holistic part of maintaining healthy sexuality. Nashville CARES Education staff includes Kevin Lawson, Dwayne Jenkins, Tiffinea Jones, DaShawn Usher, Anthony Atkins, Leslie Whiting, Tana Terry, Sarah Sheldon, Tim Daniels, Ken Barton, Claude Genzel, Allen Pinedo, and Patrick Luther.
PPMET commends these educators for their outstanding efforts to teach responsible sexuality education in a creative and sensitive manner.
FLE winners will be recognized at PPMET’s Gala in the Garden at Cheekwood Botanical Garden on Thursday, May 8th.

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Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee’s Community Education Department provides parent and professional training, as well as presentations to teens in schools, faith based organizations, and other community groups. Presentation topics include puberty, sexually transmitted infections, refusal skills, abstinence, birth control, healthy relationships, and other sexuality-related topics.

For more information about Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee services, or to place a nomination for the 2009 award, call (615) 345.0952.

Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America to appear in Nashville

Nashville, TN: Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee (PPMET) is welcoming Cecile Richards to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens for their annual fundraising event, Gala in the Garden on Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 pm.
Cecile Richards is president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Over the course of her career, she has become a nationally recognized progressive leader and a fierce advocate for reproductive health and rights. Since coming to Planned Parenthood in February 2006, Ms. Richards has led the organization to many significant achievements, including its success in ensuring FDA approval of over-the-counter status for emergency contraception, and the launch of a nationwide campaign to provide comprehensive, medically accurate sex education for all young people in America.

Ms. Richards is at the forefront of the battle over reproductive rights in the United States leading a federation of more than 100 Planned Parenthood affiliates that manage more than 860 health centers nationwide, providing high-quality family planning and reproductive health care services, education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people each year.

Before joining Planned Parenthood, Ms. Richards served as deputy chief of staff for Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and played a key role in her election as the Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives.

The daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, Ms. Richards was raised in a family committed to social justice and public service. She worked side by side with her mother on her very first campaign — the successful election to the state legislature of Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who successfully argued the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

Ms. Richards will be available the afternoon of May 8th for interviews in person or by telephone. More than 250 community leaders will be in attendance at Gala in the Garden. Ms. Richards will begin her remarks at 7:45pm.

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Proceeds from Gala in the Garden will help Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee provide affordable reproductive and sexual healthcare services and comprehensive educational programs in communities across Tennessee. Funds raised go towards educational programs and health center services, including general health care, diagnosis and treatment of STI’s, HIV testing and referrals, basic gynecological exams, pregnancy testing, options counseling and breast cancer screening.