08.27.2014
Media

Press Release: Advocates for Youth, Feminist Majority Foundation, and Planned Parenthood Announce “Youth ShowOUT” Campaign to Engage and Mobilize Young Voters

For Immediate Release: August 25, 2014
Rachel Cooke,
Advocates for Youth

202.419.3420 x45 rachel@advocatesforyouth.org

Taylor Kuether, Feminist Majority Foundation

703.533.2214
tkuether@feminist.org

Planned Parenthood
media office

212.261.4433
media.office@ppfa.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Advocates for Youth (Advocates), Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF), and Planned Parenthood Generation (PPGen), a project of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, are joining forces for an exciting new national civic engagement campaign — the 2014 Youth ShowOUT! The campaign will engage and mobilize young voters across the country through on the ground organizing, social media activism, and online actions at youthshowout.org.

In 2014, young voters will do more than just turn out–they will ShowOUT! Youth leaders are educating their peers, registering voters, participating in voter pledge drives, volunteering, and more. Young people are at the helm of lasting change in our country. They are taking charge and becoming a part of the political process.

“The Feminist Majority Foundation is proud to join Youth ShowOUT,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation. “Young women have much at stake in this election – access to abortion, birth control and comprehensive health insurance, pay equity, ending violence against women, comprehensive immigration reform, and equal rights. Our organizers on college campuses throughout the country will help to ensure that student votes are not suppressed and that young women and people of color, who have been traditionally targeted for suppression, are heard at the ballot box.”

“No person in our country should face barriers in accessing health care, exercising their right to vote, marrying the person they love, or pursuing other fundamental rights,” said Kelley Robinson, Assistant Director of Youth Organizing, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Planned Parenthood Generation is a movement of young people across identities and issues that advocates for their generation to change the world. We must work together and strive to develop strong leaders with the spirit and determination to move our country forward and show that we are a nation committed to fighting for and preserving equality for all.”

“Young people are an essential component of the rising electorate. Every day, nearly 12,000 young people turn 18 years old and become eligible to vote,” said Debra Hauser, president of Advocates for Youth. “At Advocates for Youth we know firsthand the power of young people is undeniable. There are tens of thousands of youth activists and leaders who are actively reshaping their communities and changing what politics looks like in this country. We have a responsibility to work alongside these young people as they lead us to new solutions and lasting change.”

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Advocates for Youth, Feminist Majority Foundation and Planned Parenthood Generation launched Youth ShowOUT in August 2014. More information is available at youthshowout.org.