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'Orange Is the New Black' Stars Cheer Planned Parenthood at Kiehl's Launch

By Danielle Tcholakian | July 11, 2014 1:59pm | Updated on July 14, 2014 8:49am
 Uzo Aduba, Selenis Leyva and Laverne Cox at a party at the new Kiehl's store in NoLIta to benefit Planned Parenthood.
'Orange Is the New Black' Stars Support Planned Parenthood
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NOLITA — Actors from the hit Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," including the Emmy-nominated Laverne Cox, lent star power to a Planned Parenthood benefit Thursday night hosted by the new Kiehl's store on Mulberry Street.

Cox, a transgender woman who made history with this week's Emmy nod for her role as Sophia Burset, an inmate on the show set in a women's prison and filmed in Astoria, Queens, mingled with shoppers at the cosmetic chain's grand opening party. She was joined by co-stars Uzo Aduba, who plays Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, and Selenis Leyva, who plays Gloria Mendoza.

The event raised money to support Planned Parenthood of New York City, which has a clinic a few blocks away on Bleecker Street in NoHo.

"I am over the moon to be able to lend my voice, my face to support such a wonderful organization as Planned Parenthood," Leyva said at the party. "I think women's rights are so important, and being on a show like 'Orange Is the New Black' is a really good platform."

The new store, at 223 Mulberry St., features a wall with artwork by artist Marilyn Minter, who donated her full $20,000 commission from Kiehl's to Planned Parenthood of New York City.

Kiehl's also donated all of the proceeds from the sale of tote bags designed and signed by Minter to Planned Parenthood. The store will continue to carry the $20 tote bags until they sell out.

"I've been watching the dismantling of everything I worked for in the '70s," Minter said of recent Supreme Court decisions limiting birth control access, explaining why she chose to donate to Planned Parenthood. "It just seems so unfair that politicians are actually saying, 'There have to be consequences if women are going to have sex.'"

Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl's, released a statement saying he was thrilled to work with Minter to support Planned Parenthood.

"Because Kiehl’s mission is always to give back to our community, we’re honored that as part of this partnership, we are supporting the work of Planned Parenthood of New York City," he said, "and its efforts to serve, advocate for, and educate the people of New York City."