Olivia Rodrigo Delivers Powerful Speech on Reproductive Rights
At Planned Parenthood's Spring Into Action Gala in New York City last night, Olivia Rodrigo was honored as one of the nonprofit's two Champion of Change award recipients.
Clad in a white Gucci gown, the singer took the stage to stress how important the fight for reproductive rights remains, particularly during President Donald Trump's second term, where his administration has withheld millions in federal funding to the Title X family planning programs, including those at Planned Parenthood clinics.
'We live in a world that politicizes our bodies and uses harmful ideologies to deny us safety and healthcare, and it breaks my heart to think that, because of oppressive laws and outdated policies, some of those girls may not get to follow their dreams the way I was able to follow mine,' Rodrigo said.
She spoke about the work she has done to support reproductive freedom, saying, 'Just a year ago, fueled by heartbreak and anger over what was happening in the world, I launched my Fund 4 Good, a global initiative that supports local nonprofits, championing reproductive freedom, girls' education and the prevention of gender-based violence. A portion of my [Guts] Tour proceeds went to the fund, and I'm proud to share that we've raised and donated over $2 million to organizations around the world.'
She then applauded Planned Parenthood's work, saying, 'I can't express how much I admire Planned Parenthood and the life-saving work that they do. Providing affordable healthcare, cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing, and abortion care, amongst so many other things, gives women the autonomy to care for themselves and shape their futures. It's a privilege to be here tonight to support an organization that, despite countless obstacles, continues to show up with compassion, hope, and dignity for women. My greatest wish is that through organizations like Planned Parenthood and the action of everyday citizens, no woman will need to sacrifice her dreams, her health or humanity because of restrictive laws or lack of resources.'
She ended her speech by honoring Planned Parenthood's late former president, Cecile Richards—and encouraging the world to channel Richards's strength and not back down from this fight. 'She led at a time of relentless attacks on care and constant efforts to silence and shame women into submission, but Cecile stood her ground, and in doing so, she stood up for millions of us,' Rodrigo said. 'I never got the chance to meet her, but her legacy of resilience and decency continues to impact me. She reminds us that standing up for what's right doesn't mean we have to be fearless. We can be scared, we can be angry, we can feel hopeless. We just have to fight anyway. Thank you again, so much.'
You can donate to Planned Parenthood here
You Might Also Like
The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types
100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Festival fans demand refunds after headliner's set slashed over weather delay
Many Governors Ball attendees are asking for refunds after one headliner's set was shortened and several acts were nixed over a weather delay. The music festival pushed back doors until 4:30 p.m. — instead of the typical noon — on Saturday, June 7 when the New York area received a storm. 'Please delay your arrival and plan accordingly,' Gov Ball advised concertgoers on X. Just over an hour later, the festival posted an updated schedule for Saturday. The new schedule had removed scheduled performances by School of Rock NYC, Glasshouse, Monobloc, Die Spitz, The Backfires, Lexa Gates and Yaya Bey. The updated schedule included a shorter version of headliner Olivia Rodrigo's set at the end of the night. The pop star was originally supposed to go on at 8:30 p.m. and play until roughly 10 p.m. However, the weather caused Rodrigo's set to be delayed until 9:25 p.m. While Gov Ball did not directly indicate when Rodrigo's set would end, it appeared to have been scheduled past 10 p.m. Billboard reported her set wrapped up a couple minutes after 10:30 p.m. After losing about 30 minutes of Rodrigo's set, disappointed fans called on Gov Ball to issue refunds. 'I better get my refund because cancelling other performers and shortening sets is just irresponsible,' one X user wrote. 'We deserve at least a partial refund this is insane it's not even raining,' another X user wrote. 'Thank you but we still deserve some kind of compensation for this,' an Instagram user wrote, adding the festival's communication 'has been incredibly unprofessional.' Gov Ball has not publicly addressed the situation. This isn't the first time weather caused issues for the annual festival. Gov Ball issued refunds in 2019 after rain also caused mayhem on the festival grounds, The Mirror reported. Founding member of chart-topping '80s R&B group dies at 68 Legendary hip-hop duo's first US tour in 15 years to start in Mass. Live Wire: Two Northampton music series return in time for summer 'Devastated' music legend cancels more shows due to health issues Indie rock band's singer says this is 'best venue in America': Have you been? Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
California Is Suing Trump for Sending National Guard Into L.A.
California Governor Gavin Newsom says the state will sue President Donald Trump over his federalization and deployment of National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area amid anti-ICE protests. Trump 'flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard,' Newsom wrote Monday on X. 'The order he signed doesn't just apply to CA. It will allow him to go into ANY STATE and do the same thing. We're suing him.' Trump signed an order on Saturday authorizing the federalization and deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, 300 of which were promptly sent to Los Angeles without the request or consent of city and state officials. The action hasn't been taken by an American president since 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson bypassed Alabama's segregationist Governor George Wallace and sent the National Guard to protect civil rights protesters marching from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Trump's order invoked Title X, and called the National Guard — typically under the control of state governors — into federal service 'to temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions, including the enforcement of Federal law, and to protect Federal property.' The order does not mention California, but instead directs the National Guard 'to temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions, including the enforcement of Federal law, and to protect Federal property.' In effect, the order could be invoked in other states. Unless the President invokes the Insurrection Act, the National Guard would be barred from conducting law enforcement activities against U.S. citizens. On Monday morning, the president advocated in a Truth Social post to 'BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' in order to quash the protests. The threat to send active duty members of the military into L.A. has been echoed by prominent Republicans and Cabinet officials, while heightening tensions in the city. Trump later claimed that Los Angeles would be 'completely obliterated' if he had not sent in the National Guard. Newsom has been publicly slamming Trump for the move, and on Sunday dared the administration to arrest him. Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, said on Monday that there were currently 'no discussion' about arresting the governor, but Trump told reporters later in the day that, 'I would do it' and that he thinks it would be 'great.' 'Donald Trump has created the conditions you see on your TV tonight,' Newsom said in a Sunday night interview with MSNBC. 'He's exacerbated the conditions, he's lit the proverbial match, he's putting fuel on this fire, ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard — an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act.' More from Rolling Stone Billie Joe Armstrong Tells ICE to 'F-ck Off' in Support of L.A. Protesters 'Unfathomable': Seth Rogen Torches Lawmakers Threatening Cuts to Medicaid Trump Continues Inflaming L.A. Protests: 'BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' Best of Rolling Stone The Useful Idiots New Guide to the Most Stoned Moments of the 2020 Presidential Campaign Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence
Elle
3 hours ago
- Elle
How Dakota Johnson Is Dressing for This Summer's Biggest Trend
This summer, moodiness is on the mood board, and no one is embodying that vibe better than Dakota Johnson. The actress, who is known for her ultimate boho-chic style, has recently stepped out for a series of press appearances in a myriad of all-black ensembles. From a sculpted Ferragamo blazer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to a sheer mesh Nensi Dojaka co-ord set on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Johnson's aesthetic has taken an edgier turn. On Saturday, the star attended the New York City premiere of her most recent movie, Materialists, in a silky black Gucci gown. Keeping the accessories minimal, she opted for a simple pair of black sunglasses and statement earrings, letting the simplicity of the look do all the talking. Even with her casual street style, Johnson has kept the monochromatic theme going, sporting on a recent occasion a black leather blazer, semi-sheer low-cut Balenciaga bodysuit, and flared jeans—the ultimate angsty indie-sleaze outfit formula. Johnson isn't alone. Designers everywhere are leaning into a summer of intrigue. In the last month, luxury brands have traveled the world to stage their cruise and pre-fall collections, all of which have taken a more mysterious tone. Ralph Lauren's luxe runway was filled with lace-frilled sleeves and sumptuous velvet jackets, fit for the modern hopeless renaissance romantic. In Avignon, Louis Vuitton channeled punk court jesters and medieval It girls. Meanwhile, Dior took to Rome to commemorate Maria Grazia Chiuri's final collection for the house with a ghostly presentation and short film that paid homage to great costumers of cinema's past.
