Planned Parenthood's Champions of Women's Health Awards

Cecile Richards, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Youth Initiatives Director Charlie Cook pose with young summit attendees.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was honored on Thursday by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), who celebrated the Speaker with one of two annual Champions of Women's Health Awards.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) was also recognized for her longtime advocacy on behalf of women's reproductive rights.

The Rayburn reception room was filled with participants in the annual Planned Parenthood Youth Initiative summit, and their pink t-shirts drenched the room in color.

Adding to the warm, sisterly feeling of the event was PPFA president Cecile Richards, daughter of late Texas Gov. Ann Richards (D). Cecile Richards had formerly served as deputy chief of staff to Speaker Pelosi during Pelosi's years as Minority Whip, and the personal bond between the two women was palpable.

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) added comic relief to the formal presentation portion of the evening, introducing Speaker Pelosi and joking about how she was proud to be one of "Nancy's girls."  As Pelosi took the stage, Moore even blew her a kiss.

— Report and photographs by Christina Wilkie

Celeste Pallone and her father, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)

Michigan Planned Parenthood president Lori Lamerand, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Cecile Richard

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.)

Naila Ansari, Cassandra Surber, and Lizandra Vidal

Patty Dillon, Melissa Reed, and Alison Kiser from Planned Parenthood of North Carolina

Devan Cody and Jennifer Succi

Chloe Cooney, Susan Yolen, Jenny Carrillo, and Maggie Groff