FPA leads a huge New York contingent to Washington, D.C., for the March for Women’s Lives. The April 25 march is attended by more than 1.15 million people – the largest demonstration of any kind in our country. In August, more than 25,000 New Yorkers march cross the Brooklyn Bridge in support of women’s health and rights.

FPA staffers attend “Live Action Camps” coordinated by Planned Parenthood Federation of America to develop grassroots organizing strategies. FPA brings “Live Action Camp” strategies home, putting organizing techniques into practice on issues such as sex education and emergency contraception around the state.

Planned Parenthood wins a lawsuit (Planned Parenthood v. Ashcroft) striking down the abortion ban signed into law by President Bush in 2003. Federal courts in California, New York and Nebraska find abortion bans unconstitutional and unenforceable.

Catholic Charities brings another unsuccessful lawsuit in the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court attempting to undo the Women’s Health and Wellness Act.

Medically accurate sex education is FPA’s top legislative priority, and the Healthy Teens Act receives strong bi-partisan support in the State Legislature. The bill passes the Assembly by a vote of 123-18.

FPA successfully lobbies for the restoration of state funding through a $2.1 million legislative initiative in the Assembly.

The Immigrant Women’s Health Initiative is created by FPA’s Education Fund to begin to help member organizations increase their skills in better serving diverse populations.