Elizabeth Banks Helps Raise $380,000 for the Center for Reproductive Rights

(PRESS RELEASE) —The Center for Reproductive Rights raised $380,000 yesterday evening at their inaugural Los Angeles benefit, co-hosted by Elizabeth Banks and board member Heidi Lindelof at the London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. Other speakers included Busy Philipps, Sarah Jones and Ali Rushfield, who spoke about the importance of bodily autonomy and reproductive healthcare for women and girls around the world.

More than 400 attendees came out to show their support for The Center, including celebrities like Adam Scott, Amy Brenneman, JJ Abrams, Charlie Day, Bellamy Young, Rhea Perlman, Michael Schur and Damon Lindelof. At the benefit, Banks and Rushfield debuted a sneak peek of their upcoming HULU comedy Shrill, which is adapted from Lindy West’s memoir of the same name. Reproductive healthcare and the complex realities women face when making these decisions are featured in the show. Busy Philipps also spoke at the event about her own experience with abortion, as chronicled in her book This Will Only Hurt a Little.

“I’ve been a proud supporter of the Center for Reproductive Rights since 2012, when I participated in their campaign to share real women’s stories about abortion.” Said co-host Elizabeth Banks. “Our stories are what connect us. They’re how we identify with one another and understand each other’s circumstances.”

“It’s inspiring to see such an outpouring of support here in Hollywood for our work and the fundamental belief that reproductive rights are human rights,” said Nancy Northup, President & CEO of The Center for Reproductive Rights. “Under President Trump, the courts of this country have been threatened, but they remain a vital part of our democracy. We’re continuing to fight for the rights of women, doctors and clinics in courtrooms and legislatures across the country. Not only to expand our reproductive rights, but to make sure that the hard-won victories of past generations are not lost.”