Boston, June 13, 2016, – On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, City Councilor At-Large Ayanna Pressley will speak at the United State of Women Summit hosted by the White House. The Councilor will be speaking on a panel entitled, “What Works: Strategies to Address Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.”
Councilor Pressley (middle) with Gilbert Ho (right) and Courtney Ho at an event in Chinatown in April 2016 (bostonese.com file photo).
The United State of Women Summit is a three-day convening to discuss gender equity issues with key thought and policy leaders from throughout the country.
“I am humbled by the invitation to present at the White House United State of Women Summit, and proud to shine a light on the good work being done in Boston,” said Pressley. “My maiden speech in the Council, and very first hearing order was on teen pregnancy as a contributing factor to drop out rates and poverty cycles.”
Pressley will join six national leaders to discuss the impact of teen and unplanned pregnancy on communities. Featured panelists include Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Raegan McDonald-Mosely, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Governor Jack Markell, the Governor of Delaware.
In 2010 the Councilor formed a broad and diverse coalition with young parents, education and healthcare advocates to develop policies to strengthen pathways to graduation for young parents.
“I am still working with the coalition and Boston Public Schools to ensure equitable access to comprehensive sexual health education and condoms for our high school students,” said the Councilor. “I look forward to sharing Boston’s best practices and learning from other thought leaders across the many issues to be addressed throughout the Summit.”