Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas celebrated 90 years of trusted healthcare, education, and advocacy in a morning loaded with star power at the 35th Annual Planned Parenthood Dallas Awards on Tuesday, December 9th at AT&T Performing Arts Center Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. Pam and John Beckert co-chaired the milestone celebration. Barbara Bush headlined the event with both laughter and tears.
Barbara Bush was on stage in a conversation moderated by award-winning journalist, Tashara Parker, that was filled with funny remembrances about the Bush family and sweet, tearful memories of her grandmother who she described as unstoppable in her devotion to family and to the causes she felt important. Bush is now the NBA's Head of Social Responsibility where she leads the leagues social impact efforts.
This year’s distinguished Gertrude Shelburne Humanitarian Award recipient was Froswa' Booker-Drew, Ph.D. Froswa' who delivered a moving acceptance speech highlighting her passion for women’s causes and her partnership with Planned Parenthood in new program benefiting women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. She is the author of four books including the award-winning, Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy Her latest book released this summer is Front Porch Wisdom: Navigating Leadership Pressures and Barriers as a Woman of Color. Dr. Froswa' is the co-founder of HERitage Giving Circle, one of the first Black Women Giving Circles in the state of Texas, and co-founder of both Power in Action-Dallas and the South Dallas Employment Project, a collaborative of 140 organizations to address those impacted by incarceration. She is the recipient of honors including the 2025 Making Democracy Work awardee by the League of Women Voters, 2024 Black Women Give Back Award, and 2023 Texas Women's Foundation Maura Women Helping Women Awards. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Antioch University System, Vice-Chair of the ACLU-Texas Board, and as Co-Chair of the Board of For Oak Cliff.
The Katherine Ripley Print Media Award recipient was The Dallas Morning News for “The Standard of Fear”, a powerful investigative series amplifying Texans’ voices and exposing the impact of restrictive reproductive care. The Award was presented at a VIP reception on December 8th at a private Bluffview home.
After the event, guests were encouraged to dine at one of the upscale restaurants that shared the day’s proceeds with Planned Parenthood including Le Bilboquet, Nonna Teak Tearoom, Mirador and Lovers Seafood and Market.
For information about Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, please go to http://www.ppgt.org