Phoebe Gates Honored as 'Rising' Champion of Abortion Rights While Sister Jennifer Says She's 'So Proud'

Mar. 15, 2025

Phoebe Gates.Photo:Courtesy of Phoebe Gates

Phoebe Gates Honored as ‘Rising’ Champion of Reproductive Freedom

Courtesy of Phoebe Gates

Phoebe Gatesis getting honored for being a champion of reproductive rights — and she says she’s just getting started.

Last week, the 22-year-old daughter ofBill GatesandMelinda French Gatestraveled to Washington, D.C., forReproductive Freedom for All’s 55th anniversary celebration, where she was honored with the “Rising Reproductive Freedom Champion” award.

In a diary forVogue, the Stanford University graduate wrote that ever sinceRoe v. Wadewas struck down in 2022, RFFA’spresident and CEO, Mini Timmaraju,“has become a mentor and co-conspirator in the right to defend and advance reproductive freedom," which encompasses abortion access, birth control and more.

Phoebe delivered the final speech of the night, on Sept. 18, to a room of 200 guests including activists and elected officials.

As for the award, Phoebe called it an “incredible honor that I accepted as an acknowledgement of a responsibility to keep going, and a rallying charge to do more.”

Phoebe Gates and Mini Timmaraju.Courtesy of Phoebe Gates

Phoebe Gates Honored as ‘Rising’ Champion of Reproductive Freedom

Phoebe went on to say that although “members of my generation have fewer rights than those who came before us,” she left D.C. “feeling hopeful and energized.”

“I know that the champions I met—and the 41 million of my peers who are eligible to vote in this election on November 5—are not willing to sit around and wait for things to change,” she added.

Like her mother, whom Phoebe called a “hero of mine,” she went on to throw her support behind Vice PresidentKamala Harrisin the upcoming election against former PresidentDonald Trump, who supports abortion restrictions with exceptions and believes states should be able to impose bans.

Phoebe wrote of Harris and her running mate, “If we mobilize to elect VP Harris and Gov [Tim] Walz to the White House, and we win key Congressional races across the country, we have the chance to bring back our rights through national legislation next year.”

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After seeing Phoebe get honored,Jennifer Gatescouldn’t help but celebrate her little sister.

“So proud of you,” the 28-year-old resident physician — andsoon-to-be mom of two— wrote on her Instagram Story.

Phoebe Gates.Christopher Jason

Phoebe Gates Honored as ‘Rising’ Champion of Reproductive Freedom

Christopher Jason

Phoebe, who has long used her platform to champion women’s health and reproductive rights, recently toldThe Wall Street Journalthat this year, she plans togive millions to pro-abortion access groups.

“There’s a tangible chance to make a change here," Phoebe told the newspaper.

Phoebe is also the co-founder of forthcoming digital fashion platformPhiaand appeared on herdad’s new Netflix docuseries,What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates.

In arecent blog post, the 68-year-old philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder said that out of all the conversations he had during the making of the show, his sit-down with his youngest daughter was his “favorite.”

Bill Gates and Phoebe Gates.Courtesy of Netflix

Bill Gates and Phoebe Gates in What’s Next: The Future with Bill Gates.

Courtesy of Netflix

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“I’m glad we made it work, though, because our conversation—for the episode on misinformation—turned out to be a series highlight,” wrote the “proud papa.”

“Phoebe helped me better understand how women online—particularly women who stick up for other women—often face threats to their safety that are intended to make them think twice before they speak out,” Bill wrote, adding that he “can’t wait to see how her advocacy work will make a difference in the world.”

source: people.com