Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Newsletter
WINTER 2018
S P E C I A L
I S S U E
BE VISIBLE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
TOGETHER. WE ARE THE FIRE. WE ARE THE LIGHT. Winter 2017
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Dear friends-
W
elcome to the future of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin! I am thrilled to begin 2018 by announcing PPWI is moving boldly forward to protect and expand access for Wisconsin’s women and families. Many have asked how PPWI will survive with the current level of attacks against women’s health. I am excited to say with your continued help, PPWI will not only survive, it will thrive. With that in mind, I want to share with you an opportunity to take your support to an exciting new level—the Be Visible Capital Campaign! PPWI has provided women and families with compassionate care for more than 80 years. This $28 million campaign will help PPWI continue to provide care for generations to come.
The name for this campaign was chosen because being visible provides strength to everyone who is part of this movement, and hope to everyone who depends on the essential services PPWI provides because of your generosity. This special issue of Moving Forward highlights the campaign components and the amazing leaders who have stepped forward with their passion to ensure its success. During the quiet phase of the campaign, $26 million was raised through the extreme generosity of a small group of lead donors—and now you are invited to Be Visible in your support of PPWI and join this exciting initiative. Please consider helping close the remaining $2 million gap by making a special gift this year. Let’s light the path forward, together. Warm Regards-
Tanya Atkinson PPWI President and CEO
How your gift to the Be Visible campaign will be used: 21st Century Health Care: $9 million Comprehensive Health Care Center in Southeastern Wisconsin
A new, spacious health center in Milwaukee’s Harbor District, now open and providing family planning and abortion services. This state-of-the-art facility has been designed to honor both patients and providers, including its own safe and secure parking lot. The building’s size can accommodate any increased need for services, ensuring all patients have access to the reproductive health care they need.
Technology
PPWI’s ability to provide 21st century health care hinges on access to the latest technology. The resources to establish and expand services like online appointment scheduling, service portals, texting dialogues and telemedicine interactions will keep PPWI on the leading
edge of patient communications, medical records and excellent customer service. "The Be Visible campaign is giving PPWI the wherewithal to make significant investments in our IT infrastructure – helping us create a more nimble and accessible computing environment while maintaining industry standard security measures." – Chief Operating Officer Chris Williams
Program Support: $4 million Education
PPWI’s respected community education programs, collectively known as Embody™, provide the tools and resources necessary to keep communities around the state safe, healthy and strong. Embody’s award-winning educators are dedicated to providing excellence in comprehensive sexuality education, training, resources and information for a wide variety of education and training programs for diverse audiences in Wisconsin and beyond. "The capital campaign has allowed Embody to increase the capacity of its internationally recognized Spanish-language education program for Latino individuals and families. Additionally, this funding has allowed Embody to increase staff support and resources dedicated to agency-wide, professional development efforts with an emphasis on improving internal training for health center staff in order to ensure consistent, quality patient education and interactions that are compassionate and client-centered." — Director of Community Education Meghan Benson, MPH, CHES
Public Affairs To continue critical work educating decision-makers and the public about the importance of access to essential health care and abortion services, we’ve been working with an applied psychologist to develop The Conversational Approach™. This breakthrough technique utilizes respectful dialogue as a way to open the door to changing hearts and minds surrounding PPWI’s issues. "The Conversational Approach is a philosophy of advocacy held up by the psychological underpinnings of listening, empathy and meeting people where they are at. It is a scientifically and practically informed worldview of how people change. We’re taking all that we’ve learned and are training leaders and supporters from across the state; listening to more people who are eager to engage for Planned Parenthood; and, ultimately, helping to create a Wisconsin where reproductive health care services, including abortion, are non-political but a public health investment." — VP of Public Affairs and Legal Advocacy Nicole Safar, JD
Legal Advocacy
The work Planned Parenthood does has always been challenged. This designated legal fund will support legal strategies, including litigation when necessary, to protect access to and provide a full range of reproductive health care.
Operating Support: $15 million Maintaining a fiscally healthy organization is essential to providing care and services to Wisconsin’s women and families. Continued annual support ensures PPWI’s overall operations, covering the day-to-day expenses needed to run 21 health centers around the state.
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Meet THE Be Visible Capital
Campaign LEADERS Thanks to the tremendous volunteer leadership of the Be Visible Capital Campaign chair, Edie Brengel Radtke, and honorary co-chairs, Marianne Lubar and Lynde Uihlein, individuals across Wisconsin have stepped up to boldly secure the future availability of Planned Parenthood’s services. We recently sat down with Edie, Marianne and Lynde to find out why PPWI and the Be Visible Capital Campaign hold such a special place in their hearts.
Edie Brengel Radtke
In 1988, a friend of Edie’s invited her to do volunteer work for PPWI and also introduced her to the man who would become her husband, Dave Radtke. Edie has been involved with both ever since! Initially, she was drawn to the pregnancy prevention work of PPWI, firmly believing that women should be in control of their own bodies and family planning choices. As she became more involved (joining and leading the board of directors, donating money, fundraising, pregnancy counseling and numerous volunteer 4 |
Moving Forward
projects) her passion and activism grew. She came to see how broadly PPWI works to keep Wisconsin women, men and families safe, healthy and strong. In recent years, when detractors would try to push back the progress that has been made and remove fundamental rights, Edie was inspired and excited by the idea of the Be Visible campaign. Here was a way to ensure access to the important services PPWI provides for years to come. She immediately jumped in with head and heart to chair the Be Visible campaign. Edie has worked with passion and perseverance to successfully garner support for the campaign and its objectives ever since. In Edie’s words: "I have been so inspired by the visionary leadership of the staff and board who have brought us to this moment. It is an honor to do this work, knowing that we are truly expanding and enhancing health care in Wisconsin. I believe this is only the start of our new path forward and it will be thrilling to continue on that trajectory with the help and enthusiasm of so many volunteers and supporters. We will not give up!"
Marianne Lubar Marianne Lubar has been part of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin as a donor, volunteer and board member for so many years, she doesn’t remember a time when it wasn’t a part of her life. Her daughter, Joan, remembers going to rallies with her mom as a young child; all of the Lubar children and their families are actively supportive of Planned Parenthood. "Supporting Planned Parenthood should be the way of the world. I have always cared about the issues surrounding family planning, and unwanted children
Lynde Uihlein
Lynde has been involved with Planned Parenthood since 1973, when she volunteered at the affiliate in New Haven, CT, inspired by the mission of fighting for women’s health and abortion rights. Years later in Wisconsin, Lynde made it possible for clinic defense volunteers to strategize with each other at PPWI health centers in Milwaukee by funding something so simple, yet so crucial — walkie talkies. "Communication was so important and with the walkie talkies (no cell phones yet!), clinic defense leaders could broadcast to each other where the protestors were showing up. They also
being born. I always wanted to do everything I could to make that situation better," said Marianne. "I can't tell you how many women of all ages have told me they wouldn't have survived their girlhood without PPWI — it was their go-to health service." Marianne feels very fortunate to contribute to the Be Visible Capital Campaign in a leadership role. One of the elements of the campaign is the continued funding of The Conversational Approach™, which Marianne remembers learning about when the program was first being talked about in Wisconsin and feeling so encouraged by the technique of using respectful dialogue as a way to changing hearts and minds surrounding PPWI’s issues. "In fact, this is how dialogue on all serious issues should take place." She also thought the name of the campaign, "Be Visible" was exactly right. "To show support publicly is sometimes difficult, so giving us all permission with the words ‘Be Visible,‘ I thought was brilliant. I feel very energized to see the support so many donors are giving to PPWI and to be a part of the Be Visible Capital Campaign."
could maneuver volunteers to the health center that needed more help, establishing a line of defense as the protestors descended on women and families trying to get inside for their health care." As the political climate for the rights of women’s health care became even more tenuous, Lynde’s support and involvement with PPWI grew. Her belief in women’s rights, women’s health care and freedom of choice, hallmarks of PPWI’s mission, became something vital to stand up for, as a member of the community and as a donor. Lynde felt it was important to visibly show her support of PPWI, and co-chairing the Be Visible Capital Campaign was a way to demonstrate her commitment. "Linking a comprehensive campaign with the building of a facility was such a great idea and one that I was more than happy to embrace. The adversarial approach, used historically by advocates in many areas, was not working for PPWI, and this campaign offered a new way to open hearts and minds. I am honored to stand up for PPWI and I sincerely thank the leadership of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin for inviting my participation."
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2017 Be Visible Events
P
lanned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s annual Be Visible fall events once again took place in Madison and Milwaukee, with a new event added this year in Appleton. Friends and advocates were invited to come together to honor the power of intergenerational collaboration and to hear about the amazing work being done at PPWI. Guests did not leave disappointed!
Appleton At the inaugural Appleton event, more than 120 supporters gathered at Pullman’s Restaurant on the beautiful Fox River. Board chair Mary Lynne Donohue kicked off the event by welcoming guests, and PPWI board member Kathy Flores spoke to the importance of PPWI in northeast Wisconsin. PPWI President and CEO Tanya Atkinson shared a state of the organization update, and the featured speaker, cervical cancer survivor and advocate Tamika Felder, spoke passionately about how PPWI saves lives by
providing essential services. National recording artists Cory Chisel and Adriel Denae were special guests, performing two emotional and inspirational songs for the enthusiastic crowd.
Madison In Madison, more than 450 supporters filled the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center for an evening of inspiration and exciting announcements. The event featured a panel of PPWI staff who spoke expertly on topics of education, health and policies. Tanya was the showcase speaker for the evening, leading the audience through a list of PPWI accomplishments and sharing the first public information about the $28 million Be Visible Capital Campaign. Board members and capital campaign cabinet members joined Tanya on stage for a celebratory ribbon cutting. PPWI creative partners Katie Mullen and Jordan Pintar of BlackPaint Studios were awarded the 2017 Voices Award, which celebrates a business partner who amplifies Planned Parenthood’s voice, especially as it relates to essential health care. It was an amazing evening!
Milwaukee The Milwaukee event saw more than 680 supporters join together at the newly renovated Italian Community Center for the official launch announcement of the Be Visible Capital Campaign. The high-spirited and sold-out luncheon featured campaign chair Edie Brengel
Above: Cervical Cancer Survivor Tamika Felder At Left: National Recording Artists Adriel Denae and Corey Chisel
Tanya Atkinson leads a panel discussion with Public Affairs’ Nicole Safar, Health Center Manager Jessie Letarte, and Jocelyn Mason-Saffold from Education. 6 |
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Radtke and honorary co-chairs Marianne Lubar and Lynde Uihlein, who each spoke passionately about the campaign and the great need for the new Water Street health center. Tanya used a good dose of humor to spice up a fact-filled presentation of PPWI services that paired with a panel discussion featuring PPWI staff. The event was punctuated by a dynamic video of the new health center and a celebratory all-woman drum corps. Many, many thanks to PPWI’s sponsors, volunteers, donors and friends for making these events possible. Thank you for standing with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and being visible!
The Brown Family speaks at the Madison Be Visible event.
Voices Award recipients Katie Mullen and Jordan Pintar of BlackPaint Studios, a woman-owned art and design firm.
The Earthstrong Women’s Drum Assembly brought their fantastic energy to the Milwaukee Be Visible event.
Thank you for standing with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin! Your gift to the Be Visible Capital Campaign will help ensure a healthy future for the 60,000 women, men and teens who count on PPWI for care…no matter what. There are a few ways you can make your gift: · Use the enclosed envelope where you can donate by credit card or send a check · Donate at support.ppwi.org/BeVisible Questions? Please call 414-289-3793 or email BeVisible@ppwi.org
THANK YOU!
5 Ways You Can Be Visible in Your Community Thank you to the thousands of supporters who have stepped up to stand with Planned Parenthood. Your overwhelming support and generous contributions are deeply appreciated by everyone you allow us to serve.
TALK
ENGAGE
VOTE
SHARE
AMPLIFY
Have conversations with friends and family about why you support PPWI.
Follow PPWI on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay informed and share the latest news.
Get to the polls in every election. Your vote counts! Ask 10 of your friends to do the same.
Generously give your resources, time and talent to causes in which you believe.
Write letters to the editor or speak at public forums involving reproductive health care.
302 North Jackson Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 ppwi.org
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Š 2018 Planned ParenthoodŽ of Wisconsin, Inc.