Patricia Terry’s artwork gracing the newsletter cover and this page, encapsulates the essence of what it means to be both in community and of community. As I more deeply examine Terry’s work, I am instantly reminded of the intricate tapestry of connections that bind us together — connections woven with threads of resilience, compassion, and shared purpose.
Reflecting on the past year, I am filled with profound gratitude for the unwavering support
On the Cover: Together Art and Sheer Love
by Evelyn Patricia Terry
Collaged serigraphy, intaglio, and lithograph prints
that has propelled Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to new heights. From the restoration of vital services like abortion care to the expansion of transformative therapies, each achievement is a testament to the strength of our community and the power of collective action.
Art and Our Shared Humanity
Art, in its myriad forms, has long been a guiding light in the Planned Parenthood journey. It speaks to the heart of our shared humanity, offering solace, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. Terry’s artwork, with its rich layers of meaning, serves as a mirror reflecting the diversity and beauty of what we as Planned Parenthood supporters experience as community.
As you take time to examine all the layers of Terry’s work, what sparks curiosity for you? What gives you pause? What makes you want to learn more?
Being In and Of Community
While “community” might elicit thoughts of connection such as those within a family, the notion of being in and of community requires deep introspection. It requires us to ask
The collage, Together Art and Sheer Love, celebrates Evelyn Patricia Terry’s art career journey as pivotal to unearthing her “sheer love” pursuit. Sheer Love, first appeared as the title of Terry’s 1981 edition of 68 signed and numbered serigraph prints retrieved in 2014 from her attic. They had survived in excellent condition despite roof leaks, squirrels, and trapped birds over the years.
A tilted heart, the edition’s central focus, consists of black and white serigraph reproductions of her larger multicolored paintings and drawings. The images reference the thematic complexities of relationships, politics, intimacy, and art. From available etchings, Terry collaged an image of herself at 16 years old on the left, her grandfather, her grandmother, a bed scene in the middle, and her mother on the right. One of her lithographic prints provided an additional grouping of unknown figures collaged above the bed. Combined photographic images enhance the surface texture by simultaneously honoring kindred ties and other relationships.
Evelyn Patricia Terry with Together Art and Sheer Love, during a reception for Forward Art Initiative artists at PPWI’s Water Street Health Center.
challenging questions of one another, not to create opposition, rather to be curious — like an artist — to fuel our intellect and capacity as change-makers — uncovering new truths and paths forward in service to the greater good.
An Invitation to Deeper Understanding
My invitation for you today is to delve into the layers of what it means for each of us to be in and of community. Upon closer examination, like Terry’s art, community is layered, complex, and can be riddled with tension — all elements, if we courageously embrace them, serving as evergreen invitations for deeper conversation, deeper care, and deeper understanding of the human condition. This is especially vital now, as we must stay present in the tension of the deeply difficult and complex issues of the day; to avoid being blinded by rage or differences, and instead fostering deep listening and connection that bridges hearts and hands.
Being a Planned Parenthood supporter requires the tenacity and fortitude that comes from being in community. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, let us lean on one another and the strength of our collective community. Each of us plays a vital role in shaping the future of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Your support and care are what fuel compassionate health care and advocacy for all — no matter what.
A Commitment to Moving Forward Together
Just as Terry’s art invites us to explore the complexities of being in and of community, so too do our shared experiences shape and define us. Being in and of the community, especially at Planned Parenthood — where the wind most days is so strong it’s hard to remain upright — I encourage you to pause, breathe in your own humanity, and then recommit to finding the way forward together — a path forward that delivers more than a quick fix; and instead, a path that uplifts and radiates a lasting mark of Sheer Love
May we continue to be in and of community.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Tanya Atkinson, President & CEO
A PPWI Playlist
DJ DRiPSweat captures the artistry of the playlist in her latest PPWI curation and shares her thoughts:
“As I reflect on the meaning of ‘Sheer Love,’ I’m led to an obvious joy in my life; music/sound. I have sheer love for it and it has the same for me; by healing my soul; by providing me with platforms to uplift my community and create a life lived lovingly on purpose. It tunes up, I tune in.”
Brand New Life (feat. Mumu Fresh) — Brandee Younger, Mumu Fresh
Is this Love — Corinne Bailey Rae
Lovely Day — Jill Scott
Black is Beautiful — Ebony Winter
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel
To Be Free — Nina Simone
Green & Gold — Lianne La Havas Come Together
— Rhythm Future Quartet
TOGETHER — KAYTRANADA, AlunaGeorge, GoldLink
Opendoors — Jitwam
Oh Sweet Love — Nickel & Rose (Wisconsin Artists)
Wind Parade — Jordan Rakei
Listen on Spotify
https://qrco.de/ppwi-summer
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Faraja ya umoja ni nguvu (The comfort of unity is power)
by Adjua
Nsoroma & Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma
Art As Advocacy: Artists who give voice to communities
Part II in a series on Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s Forward Art Initiative
“For the Black community, art serves a purpose. So, as an artist, you have a social responsibility to not only make art that is aesthetically pleasing but art that means something.”
~ Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma
As a dynamic medium, art is woven through the fabric of society. Art can inspire empathy and invites us to connect with others on a deeper level, breaking down language and cultural barriers. It also can provoke us to challenge our own perspectives and beliefs, so we may open up more fully to how others experience the world. Whether art serves as a means of personal expression, a challenge to social norms and systemic oppression, or as an integrative healing modality, art has power.
Through the Forward Art Initiative, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin provides a platform for Wisconsin artists to join forces to empower, uplift, and comfort patients seeking care. This issue features three of the amazing Wisconsin artists featured at Milwaukee’s Water Street Health Center, Adjua Nsoroma, Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma, and Evelyn Patricia Terry — artists who use their talents to give voice to their communities.
Adjua Nsoroma & Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma
Two murals appear on these pages from Adjua Nsoroma and Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma who worked together as father-daughter co-creators for their featured works in the Forward Art initiative.
(At Left) The mural unveils a scene of profound unity and empowerment. Women from various backgrounds stand in a gentle embrace, under the expansive quilt. Their diverse attire, ages, and expressions reflect the richness of human experience and unity.
The quilt itself is a tapestry of stories. Each patch is meticulously embroidered with symbols representing different cultures, dreams, and accomplishments. The quilt drapes over the women, visually uniting them while symbolizing their shared and individual journeys. The women gather, holding one another, some gazing upward with shared determination. This central scene represents unity, empowerment, and the strength found in a supportive community.
Measuring 18 feet in height, the murals become bookends of empowerment in the waiting room space at the Water Street Health Center, located in Milwaukee’s Harbor District.
Adjua Nsoroma is a Milwaukee-based artist who combines her personal identity and experiences, with elements derived from the natural world, Feminism, and Black Culture, stating, “Through my work in painting and textile design, I aim to create pieces that highlight the beauty and resilience of marginalized communities, while also challenging societal norms and stereotypes. Art has the power to inspire change and promote understanding, and I strive to use my art as a tool for social and political activism.”
Ras ’Ammar discovered art as a child, and by high school chose to follow the path of an artist as he continued on to college. “My artwork is about the beauty of being Black and feeling all right about it. I draw from the philosophies of the diverse religions of the African Diaspora, like Ifa, Vodou, Rastafari and ancient Kemetic traditions. They express the strength, inner peace, and beauty of the path to enlightenment.”
Evelyn Patricia Terry
The cover of this issue features Together Art and Sheer Love, a work by celebrated Milwaukee Artist Evelyn Patricia Terry. (You can read more the work on page 2 of this newsletter.) In addition to her work being chosen for the Forward Art Initiative, Terry also created a poster for Planned Parenthood in 1994.
Terry began her journey as an artist in the late 1960s while she was pursuing her studies in Home Economics at the University of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, when she discovered an interest in printmaking. This was a pivotal moment for Terry, who remembered the day, “It was like my eyes were opened and the sun came out. I had never known that you could study art in college — that you could become an artist as a profession.”
(At Right) The mural features a woman sitting gracefully in a tranquil garden, skillfully sewing a vibrant quilt that spreads across her lap and flows outward. The woman with a serene expression on her face, concentrates on her work, each stitch carrying intention and meaning. The quilt is an intricate work of art, with each patch showcasing unique symbols of empowerment, dreams, and unity. Some patches display hands clasping together, while others depict dreamlike scenes, all meticulously stitched. At the center of the quilt, there’s a large square portraying a black woman standing confidently surrounded by empowering words and phrases that radiate positivity and strength.
Nyuzi za uwezeshaji (Threads of Empowerment) by
Adjua
Terry would earn two master’s degrees in fine arts and have her art exhibited internationally. Terry freely explores drawing, printmaking, painting, site-specific installations, public art, found object assemblage, bookmaking, and collage — often revisiting a work, sometimes years later to explore novel approaches to the Scan this code to learn more about the many artists and works featured in the Forward Art Initiative.
Nsoroma & Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma
subject or medium. For Together Art and Sheer Love, Terry revisited a poster from the 1980s, to expand on concept — incorporating new elements and family photographs into the work.
Over the years, her exhibitions have also included artistic explorations of eroticism, helping to advance feminist ideals of reclaiming agency over the female body and sexuality — challenging stereotypes and societal taboos about desire, pleasure, and intimacy.
Beyond focusing on her own work, Terry is a creative force in her community. She believes in the transformative power of art to effect positive change in society. Through her workshops, lectures, and community outreach programs, she fosters creativity and critical thinking skills helping to empower the next generation of artists to find their voice.
Reflecting on PPWI’s Art Forward Initiative, Terry remarked, “It means a lot to have artwork in
Scan this code to learn more about Terry’s work and creative process.
an organization that supports women’s needs, especially in the face of so much push-back. Although many women and young girls may be influenced by perceived limitations of race, gender, age, and finances, I know that being encouraged in positive ways, such as this art initiative, is beneficial.”
A reproduction of the original 1994 pastel Terry created for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. She is known for writing thought-provoking titles and commentary for her work. The poster features the phrase, “By removing the masks which celebrate their ethnicity, they reveal the shared experience of ‘woman’.”
Wisconsin Abortion Access Update
Where we have been:
On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending a federal constitutional right to abortion access. In Wisconsin, the legal uncertainty surrounding a 19th century law forced abortion providers to suspend care within the state, while Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul challenged the enforceability of the law. Following a court ruling that the 1849 law does not apply to consensual medical abortion, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed abortion services in Milwaukee, Madison, and Sheboygan. The Dane County Circuit Court’s final ruling was issued in December. Shortly thereafter, Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski appealed that ruling and in February he petitioned for bypass to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the petition for bypass.
Where we are today:1
On February 22, 2024, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin filed a separate petition asking Wisconsin’s highest court to rule that the 1849 law is unconstitutional. “This petition is about the fundamental liberty interests of bodily autonomy, when and whether to become a parent, and the ability to fully pursue one’s chosen profession. We are asking the court to recognize these rights and to apply the highest level of scrutiny when the government proposes to legislate and regulate these fundamental freedoms,” stated PPWI’s chief strategy officer Michelle Velasquez. On April 16, 2024 the Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered the defendants in PPWI’s lawsuit to respond and invited non-party individuals or organizations to file amicus to support or oppose PPWI’s petition. All responses and amicus were filed by the deadline, April 26, 2024. Notably, three anti-abortion groups filed briefs opposing PPWI’s petition, and also requested to intervene as a party in the case. PPWI filed a response opposing intervention by the anti-abortion groups. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has not yet ruled on whether it will accept PPWI’s petition for Original Action.
1 Information current as
New Documentary Takes on Abortion Access
Each year, the MKE Film Festival brings together filmmakers and audiences to experience a rich tapestry of storytelling — amplifying the voices and stories from independent filmmakers. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin was honored to be among MKE Film’s 2024 festival sponsors with a special screening of No One Asked You, a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Ruth Leitman. Leitman’s project chronicles the work of comedian, political writer, “Daily Show” co-creator and reproductive rights activist, Lizz Winstead.
Hitting the Road for Abortion Access
The inspiration for the film began when Winstead started her organization Abortion Access Front in 2014. Originally planned as a docuseries following Winstead during a mini-tour of benefit performances for Planned Parenthood, the project would expand as a response to the 2017 Women’s March. Winstead and her team at Abortion Access Front decided to embark on an ambitious 16-city tour across the battleground states to support independent abortion clinics and their staff.
Much of the film features the Mississippi clinic Jackson Women’s Health which was at the center of the Supreme Court case that overturned Roe. It also includes footage of clinic escorts in Milwaukee, who bravely defended patients during the 2019 convention of Operation Save America, an organization that grew out of the1980s-era militant anti-abortion movement.
With the Supreme Court leak hitting the news in May of 2022, all optimism for a more just decision from the high court vanished. The pandemic continued, and now Leitman would have to step into a new role as the primary caregiver during her mother’s final days. Despite all of this, Leitman did the extraordinary. Fueled by the soul of a true artist-activist, she adjusted the project’s aperture to expand her vision of a docuseries into the fulllength documentary film, No One Asked You.
Passing Down Our Abortion Stories
In an interview with PPWI, Leitman shared that while it was an emotionally tough time for her, she absolutely needed to make the film happen. Leitman was inspired, in part, by her mother’s
support for reproductive rights, her own daughter’s future, and a poignant family story passed down through the generations.
While quite young, Leitman learned that her great grandmother had died from complications of a self-induced abortion, leaving behind three children. Leitman reflected, “Abortion is an intergenerational issue. This is a conversation that needs to happen in families to destigmatize abortion, and to protect our rights for selfdetermination and agency over our own bodies and lives. It has been extremely rewarding to see mothers with their daughters and granddaughters coming to see this film together. We need to talk about our own abortion stories with the people we’re close to.”
Leitman’s daughter, Ella shared her thoughts on the fall of Roe and her mother’s commitment to the reproductive rights movement, “My mom warned me that Roe would soon fall. Her prediction came true on my 24th birthday through the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. This is a terrifying reality to live in. I am so proud to be the daughter of someone passionate and outspoken about protecting the right to choose. I love that she approaches these delicate issues creatively and fiercely, telling the story of how we lost our amendment-protected right to abortion through the brave people who fought to protect it for as long as possible. She somehow created a film that is simultaneously empowering, hilarious, emotional, and sensitive to abortion, no easy task.“
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin stands in solidarity with the artists, advocates, and organizations who are unapologetically defending access. No One Asked You is a powerful call to action to get involved, and to never give up until abortion care is accessible to everyone who needs it. No matter what.
Scan this code to learn more and watch a clip of No One Asked You and the Abortion Access Front. https://qrco.de/abortion-film
FAQ:
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI)? Or Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin (PPAWI)? What’s the difference?
Here’s a chart to help explain some of the important ways the two organizations differ:
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: PPWI
PPWI provides communities with affordable high quality health care services, educational programming, and civic engagement opportunities aimed at improving health outcomes and health equity in the communities we serve.
PPWI is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization established for charitable and educational purposes.
The law does not permit PPWI, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to engage in partisan or candidatebased election work.
Donations to PPWI are generally tax-deductible.*
302 N. Jackson Street Milwaukee, WI 53202
A Convenient Way to Support PPWI’s Work:
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin: PPAWI
PPAWI is the advocacy arm of PPWI and exists to elevate and lobby for reproductive health care access in the state legislature. PPAWI also participates in each election cycle by working to elect candidates who share PPWI’s values and will champion reproductive rights issues.
PPAWI is a 501(c)(4), non-profit organization established for social welfare advocacy purposes.
The law permits PPAWI as a 501(c)(4) organization to engage in partisan election work, including candidate endorsements.
Donations to PPAWI are generally not tax-deductible.*
*Please consult with your tax attorney or accountant for details.
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