STANDING TOGETHER
News For Friends And Champions
What’s Inside: A Message for this Moment from Tanya Atkinson
2022: The Year in Review
CCmáS: Sowing Seeds of Reproductive Health Education in Puerto Rico
Wisconsin Abortion Access Update
About the Cover:
Typography is a signal not just a way to put letters on a page.
~ Seth GodinPPWI’s first cover of 2023 is a play on Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE artwork. Following the fall of Roe v. Wade and the suspension of abortion services last year, PPWI has been examining how the CARE it provides is more essential than ever before. It is a signal that Planned Parenthood is here for CARE — as a nonjudgmental safe haven for all. No matter what.
PROFOUND
Winter 2023Dear amazing, wonderful friends, Care. No matter what.
Care. No matter what. are words often said when discussing Planned Parenthood, seemingly a simple statement about the organization and its purpose.
Since the Dobbs decision, however, a more profound understanding of Care. No matter what. has emerged — one that has pulled all of us through a devastating and challenging time for reproductive health care — the loss of access to safe and legal abortion care in Wisconsin.
Care.
Care can be as simple as a kind word, or as complex as treating a patient facing an unexpected, serious diagnosis. Care can also be profound and expansive — the kind of care you feel in the center of your being when you know you must act, you must do — because there is simply no other option. This is care wrapped in love — the profound care that has come into the light of the Planned Parenthood mission.
Left in the wake of Roe vs Wade being overturned, is The Extraordinary. I am so very grateful to each and every one of you: champions, advocates, parents, leaders, volunteers, citizens, children. Regardless of the many hats you wear or roles you play, the collective Extraordinary you have shown is nothing short of profound Care No matter what.
No matter what.
No matter what. is the promise to patients, communities, and supporters — the promise to provide something more than health care — the promise rather of a profound care — one that
requires us to do, to act, and to never stand down — no matter what we as a collective are facing.
The Extraordinary
In the following pages you’ll read about so much of The Extraordinary. As you’re reading, and yes, there is an emphasis on the loss of abortion care in this state given its outsized impact on so many, it is important to remember that Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is a health care provider — on par with our state’s other known and respected health care systems and providers.
There are some aspects of The Extraordinary I want to highlight here before you dive into the following pages.
An Extraordinary Team
The first is The Extraordinary care provided by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s health care team. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin was recently recognized as the #2 Planned Parenthood Affiliate in Patient Experience scores –among all Planned Parenthood affiliates — based on the nationwide Press Ganey health care survey of patients. In addition, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin was in the 90th percentile of ALL participating health care providers across the country in patient experience.
Extraordinary Hearts
Second, is The Extraordinary generosity of a Wisconsin family who has established the Abortion Access Fund. This two million dollar matching fund will be used towards the extra costs Wisconsinites will incur accessing legal abortion care outside of our state including travel, hotel stays, and lost wages. Recognizing this historic moment and all that is at stake, the family is matching all first-time gifts dollar for dollar. To encourage current supporting families to also step into The Extraordinary, all increased gifts of $10,000 and above will also be matched dollar for dollar. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is exceedingly grateful for families across the state showing deep care through philanthropic giving.
Extraordinary Leaders
Underpinning The Extraordinary is the constant and steadfast support of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s incredible Board of Directors.
This dedicated group of leaders are impeccable stewards of the mission and their Care. No matter what. ensures Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin remains a stand-out among Wisconsin’s landscape of health care providers.
Reflections on the Movement
As I close, I invite you to share in how, together, we can transform the power of what was into the bedrock of what will be. While I have Every Single Confidence abortion care will be restored in our state because of your extraordinary persistence and the strength of your Planned Parenthood team, here are the questions I’m asking myself as we move forward together.
How will I bring the energy of what has been described as the fight to The Extraordinary of Care, No matter what. — this way of being, this way of doing?
How will my care look and feel different when informed by the energy of what I knew as the fight?
How will it get me closer to the real change I want in the world when I’m no longer framing it as the fight — and rather viewing all that is ahead from a place of deep, profound caring?
How might the work of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin grow in its service through a lens of the profound sense of Care. No matter what?
In spending time with these questions, here’s what I’m learning. It’s much easier to be in the fight. I know that language, I know those moves, I know that playbook. Care. No matter what. requires me to slow my roll as my younger colleagues say, to genuinely and authentically listen. Here’s what else I know. The work of this mission is far from over. It’s going to take all of us showing up like we have been for decades, accompanied with an understanding and respect that we’re exhausted from the fighting.
Together we can and I know we will redefine what it means to Care. No matter what. We will use it mightily to disarm those who wish to deny access to essential health care, including safe and legal access to abortion care in the state of Wisconsin for ever more.
Respectfully yours, in deep, profound care,
Officers
Eileen Force Cahill, Board Chair
Edie Brengel Radtke, Immediate Past Chair
Alexandra Guevara, Vice Chair
Carrie Norbin Killoran, Treasurer
Mariana Rodriguez, Secretary
Directors
Elizabeth Brenner
Caralynn Brown
Alex Cade-White
Sharon Canter
Martha Collins
Kennia Coronado
Judith Koeppler
Janet Kusch
Madeleine Kelly Lubar
Kadijha Marquardt-Davis
Dr. Sylvia Meltzer
Brigid O’Brien Miller
Khary Penebaker
JoAnne Robbins
Emeritus
Chris Abele
Sara Aster
Bonnie Bockl Joseph
Betty Bostrom
Karen Campbell
William Chester, Jr.
Lau Christensen
Linda L. Davis
Jane Delzer
Harry Drake
Joan Hardy
D. Winthrop Hass
Bea Kabler*
La Don Love
Marianne Lubar
Daniel Maguire
Linda Mellowes
Anne Romond
Robert Slater*
Lois A. Smith
Pat Van Alyea
Kathie Zieve Norman
Legal Counsel
Christopher L. Nickels
President and CEO
Tanya Atkinson
Medical Director
Kathy King, MD
Mike Maschek Nancy Heiden PPWI Board of Directors Follow Tanya Atkinson on Facebook and LinkedIn Tanya Atkinson, President & CEO *DeceasedThe Year in Review
JANUARY:
X 49th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
X Abortion access Op Eds released about the harm of limited abortion access
X CCmaS, PPWI’s Latinx Outreach Program, receives grant to provide reproductive health care education in Puerto Rico
X PPWI named Winner of Shepard Express Best Women’s Medical Services category for 2021
FEBRUARY:
X Texas-style 6-week abortion ban is introduced in Wisconsin Legislature, which fails to pass
X PPWI receives grant for Community Centric programming and Family Planning Patient Navigation
X PPWI Education Team joins the Spark*ED Collaborative, a group of Sex Ed experts from five PP affiliates who develop and facilitate online training for community sex educators
X Minocqua Brewing announces new beverage CHOICE in support of reproductive freedom
MARCH:
X Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott makes gift to PPWI in recognition of its health equity work
X PPWI participates in Milwaukee Film’s Black Birth Symposium
APRIL:
X PPWI presents its 10th Annual Safe Healthy Strong Conference with participants from across the state
MAY:
X Supreme Court opinion leaks in Dobbs Case
X Media Blitz Begins: PPWI is interviewed by local, national, and international media outlets
X A group of 17 governors — led by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers — calls on Congress to guarantee abortion rights under federal law
X Abortion Rights Rally is held outside the Wisconsin State Capitol
X PPWI’s Community Centric Team expands with Regional Community Partnership Coordinators in La Crosse, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha
JUNE:
X The Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee glows pink for Planned Parenthood
X Pink out the Capitol Rally at the State Capitol
X Gov. Evers calls for a Special Legislative Session. The Legislature fails to protect abortion access
X Supreme Court rules in the Dobbs Case on June 24, overturning nearly 50 years of legal precedent, and stripping away the constitutional right to abortion. PPWI is forced to immediately suspend abortion services and send patients home without their procedures
X PPWI begins offering free Make-a-Plan Emergency Contraception Kits to patients and community partners
X PPWI distributes Wisconsin Abortion Resources information to patients and community partners
X AG Josh Kaul and Gov. Evers file a lawsuit to challenge Wisconsin’s abortion ban
X Gov. Evers explicitly states that he will grant pardons to abortion providers
X Promotores de Salud from the CCmaS program host the first Cuentos de Confianza (Stories of Trust) event in Milwaukee
X PPWI’s Education Team participates in Pride Events around the state
JULY:
X Thirteen states including Wisconsin have abortion bans in place
X Wisconsin Faith Leaders hold press conference supporting abortion access in the state
X PPWI establishes formal partnership with PPIllinois — doubling capacity for abortion care at the Waukegan, IL Health Center, and expanding family planning services across Illinois and Wisconsin through telehealth
X PPWI Announces new services in Madison and Milwaukee: Free Pregnancy Assessment and Ultrasound Dating, Free Post-Abortion Care, and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Insertions
X PPWI adds Abortion Navigators to assist patients who need additional support to travel out of state
AUGUST:
X Fifteen states including Wisconsin have abortion bans in place
X PPWI presents “Abortion as a Public Health Priority” at the Wisconsin Public Health Association Conference
X The Community Centric Team hosts their first Community Back-to-School Bash
SEPTEMBER:
X Sixteen states including Wisconsin have abortion bans in place
X PP-Illinois is experiencing a tenfold increase in the number of patients from Wisconsin since the Supreme Court overturned Roe
X PPWI staff continue traveling to PP-Illinois to help provide abortion care to the influx of patients from out of state
X 5th Anniversary of the Water Street Health Center
X Gov. Evers calls a second Special Session to repeal Wisconsin’s abortion ban. The Legislature fails again
X Madison East goes live with Family Planning
X Water Street goes live with Family Planning
X Maria Barker, PPWI’s Director of Latinx Programming receives a Recognition Citation from the Milwaukee County Board in honor of her contribution to increasing positive health outcomes in the Latinx Community
X PPWI’s Education Team significantly increases school-based sex education programming as most schools returned fully to in-person instruction
OCTOBER:
X Tanya Atkinson, PPWI’s President & CEO, speaks on the Future of Reproductive Rights in Wisconsin to the Wisconsin Association of Social Workers
X PPWI’s Education, Patient Services, and Community Relations Teams present at the Wisconsin STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Summit
NOVEMBER:
X Wisconsin voters re-elect Gov. Evers, AG Josh Kaul, and preserve the Governor’s veto power
DECEMBER:
X Abortion remains legal in 19 states with little or no restriction
X Abortion is legal in 12 states with gestational age limits ranging from 20-24 weeks
X Thirteen states including Wisconsin have bans in place; one state bans abortion at 6 weeks before most people know they are pregnant
X Nine states have been successful at blocking bans
X National Respect for Marriage Act is signed into law
X PPWI’s Education Department concludes twoyear research study in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital
X PPWI continues the fight for abortion access in Wisconsin
CCmáS: Sowing Seeds of Reproductive Health Education in Puerto Rico
PPWI’s CCmáS Program has long been symbolized by a tree — one with deep roots in the Latinx community, and branches reaching out across the state of Wisconsin. CCmáS is now sowing seeds of reproductive health education in Puerto Rico — work made possible by the efforts of PPWI Director of Latinx Programming Maria Barker and Promotora de Salud (Health Promoter) Emilia Hernandez, with funding provided by Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).
Recognizing a Need
Emilia divides her time between serving Waukesha’s Latinx Community and spending time with her extended family in Puerto Rico. As a health promoter, she saw a desperate need for reproductive health care and education in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.
Limited Access, Cultural Stigmas
“What can be more rewarding than helping your community by creating trust, so people can share their true needs — and then connect them to the reputable community resources available to serve them”
Confidential reproductive health care is often limited to those over age 21 or who are already married or have children. Additionally, domestic abuse is a serious issue in the community. Because these topics are culturally not up for discussion, CCmáS helps to normalize those conversations and educate people about sex and healthy relationships. Maria elevated these issues to PPFA’s Latinx Task Force. The result was special funding to bring CCmáS programming to the US Territory.
Facing Resistance
Given the long history of reproductive coercion and stigmas surrounding Sex Ed, Maria and Emilia expected resistance. Emilia made contact with several community organizations to discuss how CCmáS could help the people they serve. While her direct contacts saw tremendous value, many of the agencies’ top leaders refused to become involved.
Change of Plans
Maria and Emilia decided to pivot their outreach work — going straight to the community to put their work into action. They held several informal home health parties hosted by supportive friends and families. They also began planning a large community-wide health fair inviting businesses and agencies to participate. The event offered blood pressure checks, diabetic screening, STD testing, health and nutrition information, condom demonstrations, and more. It was incredibly successful; rallied support for CCmáS throughout the community at large; and garnered additional grant funding to continue this work in Puerto Rico.
New Growth for CCmáS
The next phase will be done in collaboration with Alguien Inc., a Development Center for Women. Through this partnership the full CCmáS curriculum will be offered, along with training for women interested in becoming Promotores — like Emilia — as a professional development opportunity.
CCmáS (Cuidándonos Creceremos más Sanos/Growing Healthier Together) is a Spanish-language outreach and educational program developed by and for the Latinx Community in partnership with PPWI’s Education team and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Learn more at ppwi.org/ccmas
~EmiliaCCmáS: Siembra Semillas de Educación en Salud Reproductiva en Puerto Rico
El programa CCmáS de PPWI ha tenido el símbolo durante mucho tiempo de un árbol, uno con raíces profundas en la comunidad latina y ramas que se extienden por todo el estado de Wisconsin. CCmáS ahora está sembrando las semillas de la educación en salud reproductiva en Puerto Rico, trabajo que fue posible gracias a los esfuerzos de la Directora de Programación Latina de PPWI, María Barker, y la Promotora de Salud, Emilia Hernández, con fondos proporcionados por Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).
Reconocer una Necesidad
The future home of PPWI’s CCmáS Center in Puerto Rico
El futuro hogar del Centro de CCmáS de PPWI en Puerto Rico
Emilia divide su tiempo entre servir a la comunidad latina de Waukesha y pasar tiempo con su familia extendida en Puerto Rico. Como promotora de salud, vio una necesidad desesperada de atención y educación en salud reproductiva en Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.
Acceso Limitado, Estigmas Culturales
“¿Qué puede ser más gratificante que ayudar a su comunidad creando confianza, para que las personas puedan compartir sus verdaderas necesidades y luego conectarlos con los ecursos comunitarios confiables disponibles para atenderlos?” ~Emilia
La atención confidencial de la salud reproductiva a menudo se limita a las personas mayores de 21 años o que ya están casadas o tienen hijos. El abuso doméstico es otro problema grave en la comunidad. Culturalmente, estos temas no están sujetos a debate. CCmáS ayuda a normalizar esas conversaciones y a educar a las personas sobre el sexo y las relaciones saludables. María elevó estos temas al Grupo de Trabajo Latino de PPFA. El resultado fue un financiamiento especial para llevar la programación de CCmáS al territorio estadounidense.
Frente a la Resistencia
Dada la larga historia de coerción reproductiva y estigmas que rodean a la educación sexual, María y Emilia esperaban resistencia. Emilia se puso en contacto con varias organizaciones comunitarias para debatir cómo CCmáS podría ayudar a las personas a las que sirven. Si bien sus contactos directos vieron un tremendo valor, muchos de los principales líderes de las agencias se negaron a involucrarse.
Cambio de Planes
María y Emilia decidieron dar un giro a su trabajo de divulgación, yendo directamente a la comunidad para poner su trabajo en acción. Organizaron varias fiestas informales de salud en el hogar organizadas por amigos y familiares que las apoyaron. También comenzaron a planificar una gran feria de salud para toda la comunidad a la que invitaron a empresas y agencias a participar. El evento ofreció controles de presión arterial, pruebas de diabetes, pruebas de ETS, información sobre salud y nutrición, demostraciones de condones y más. Fue increíblemente exitoso; reunió apoyo para CCmáS en toda la comunidad en general; y obtuvo fondos de subvenciones adicionales para continuar este trabajo en Puerto Rico.
Nuevo Crecimiento para CCmáS
La siguiente fase se realizará en colaboración con Alguien Inc., un Centro de Desarrollo para Mujeres. A través de esta alianza se ofrecerá el plan de estudios completo de CCmáS, junto con capacitación para mujeres interesadas en convertirse en Promotoras, como Emilia, como una oportunidad de desarrollo profesional.
CCmáS (Cuidándonos Creceremos más Sanos) es un programa educativo y de divulgación único en español desarrollado por y para la comunidad latina en asociación con el equipo de Educación de PPWI y el Colegio Médico de Wisconsin. Obtenga más información en ppwi.org/ccmas
Wisconsin Abortion Access Update:*
January 22, 2023 would have marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Last summer, the Supreme Court erased five decades of that precedent, removing the federal constitutional right to abortion — taking away our power to make our own personal medical decisions — and handing that power to politicians.
Due to legal uncertainty as to whether Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban is enforceable, all abortion services continue to be suspended in the state. Wis. Attorney General Josh Kaul has since challenged the Wisconsin ban in court. PPWI supports the Attorney General’s lawsuit and is actively monitoring this litigation that is anticipated to make its way to the State Supreme Court.
PPWI continues to help patients navigate to providers out-of-state to seek abortion care. Wisconsin’s abortion services team also continues to travel to Illinois to expand access to the many patients arriving there from abortion restrictive states.
Today, the public’s support for legal abortion is at a record high. Many states passed proactive legislation to secure reproductive rights. Abortion supporters went 6 for 6 on ballot referendums. While some Wisconsin legislators were quick to propose even more abortion restrictions at the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, Governor Evers and Democratic legislative leaders have called for an advisory referendum to be added to the Spring Election ballot that asks voters if Wisconsin should repeal the state’s abortion ban.
People deserve the right to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. Planned Parenthood won’t back down, and we won’t stop fighting with everything we’ve got to be able to provide our patients with the sexual and reproductive health services and information they need to determine the course of their own life.
*This information is current as of 1/31/2023
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