People: Fonda celebrates GCAPP milestone
Jane Fonda said she plans to continue her effort to prevent teenage pregnancies through the Georgia-based nonprofit organization she founded in 1995, when the state had one of the highest teenage birth rates in the country.
Fonda, 77, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential at a gala in Atlanta on Thursday.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Fonda said that while the teenage pregnancy rate in the United States is lower than when she founded the nonprofit, sexual education programs in schools remain critical.
“When we started 20 years ago, it was so hard. I mean, there were many counties where we were not allowed to come in to talk about pregnancy, contraception, comprehensive sexuality education. … Now, many of those same counties are begging us to come in because they’ve seen that it can make a difference,” Fonda said.
Since 1991, the pregnancy rate for girls ages 15-19 in the United States has declined 61 percent. Still, in 2013, there were 26.5 births for every 1,000 adolescent girls in that age group – or 273,105 babies born – according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Education tops Shakira’s agenda
Shakira, a longtime promoter of early childhood development and education, says being a mother has given her an even stronger connection to the issue.
The Grammy-winning performer and her soccer pro-partner Gerard Pique are the parents of 2-year-old Milan and 8-month-old Sasha.
“I’ve been an advocate for education long before I became a mother, so imagine how I feel now,” the Colombian singer said in an interview Thursday in New York City.
Shakira and Fisher-Price debuted the Moms’ Hopes & Wishes Study and previewed a new app to assist teachers and educators. The global singer launched a toy line with the company last year.
Rapper injured in motorcycle crash
Authorities say rapper Fetty Wap was injured in a motorcycle crash in his northern New Jersey hometown.
Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said the 25-year-old Wap was being treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries after his motorcycle collided with a car Saturday afternoon. Wap’s injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The crash remains under investigation.
Wap’s debut album, “Fetty Wap,” was released Friday.
The birthday bunch
Actress Kathleen Nolan is 82. Actor Wilford Brimley is 81. Rock singer Meat Loaf is 68. Actor A Martinez is 67. Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is 65. Singer Shaun Cassidy is 57. Comedian Marc Maron is 52. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is 43. Actress Anna Camp is 33. Rapper Lil’ Wayne is 33. Singer Avril Lavigne is 31.