A LETTER FROM OUR CO-CHAIRS
Dear friends,
Welcome to Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast’s 2024 Baton Rouge Spring Event, where we celebrate a remarkable milestone: 40 years of Planned Parenthood’s service to our community. Your presence here is a testament to your steadfast support, and for that, we are deeply grateful
40 years
Over the past four decades, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast has tirelessly cared for, educated, and advocated on behalf of all Louisianans – no matter what Even in the face of relentless political attacks, Planned Parenthood is a lifeline for our community, showing up for every patient regardless of income, identity, or insurance status
Your support keeps our doors open and powers our mission – and your generosity tonight ensures that PPGC will be here to care, educate, and advocate for the next 40 years and beyond. With you in our corner, we will keep up the fight to restore and protect our rights, and we won’t stop until every Louisianan can get the care they need to thrive.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to PPGC’s dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters for their hard work and dedication to make this evening possible.
As we reflect on 40 years and look to the future, we do so with optimism and resolve. These times are tough, but our community is tougher Together we will realize the future we deserve – one where our rights are no longer up for debate
With gratitude,
Dionne Rousseau
Nancy Davis
40 YEARS MOVING FORWARD
This year, Planned Parenthood celebrates 40 years of caring, educating, and advocating for our Louisiana community Our theme, "40 Years Moving Forward," honors our past and charts a course for our future Over four decades, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast has evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of our community, all thanks to the unwavering support of advocates like you
As we reflect on a remarkable journey, we recognize the strides we ' ve made in advancing reproductive health and rights while acknowledging the relentless political opposition we still face. With each passing year, we grow stronger and more committed to our mission. Moving forward, we are guided by the lessons of the past and fueled by the vision of a future where everyone can access the health care they need and make informed choices about their bodies and lives.
With optimism and resilience, we move forward together toward a brighter, more equitable future for all.
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
WELCOME & READING
Dionne Rousseau
2024 Baton Rouge Spring Event Co-Chair
Megan Sheehan-Dean
Social Justice Team, Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge
FORWARD WITH OUR PATIENTS
Tamika Thomas-Magee
Director of Clinical Services, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
Tareil George
Patient Storyteller
FORWARD WITH AN INFORMED COMMUNITY
Mario Sigur
Men in the Movement Education Intern, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
Andrew Garcia
Not In This House! Program Coordinator, 100 Black Men Baton Rouge
FORWARD WITH FAITH LEADERS
Helen Frink
Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
Glenda Spears
Co-Chair, PPGC Louisiana Faith Leader Advocacy Council
AWARD PRESENTATION
Melaney A. Linton
President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
Jaidyn Amina Bryant
Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, Second Century Award Honoree
SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE
Chancelier “Xero” Skidmore
Poet
CLOSING REMARKS
Nancy Davis
2024 Baton Rouge Spring Event Co-Chair
Petrice Sams-Abiodun
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
SECOND CENTURY AWARD
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF BATON ROUGE
The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge (UCBR) has served as a leading congregation in the Southern Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association for more than 70 years as an ever-evolving and dynamic spiritual home to its members. The church is a welcoming congregation open to all who seek it and remains steadfast in its mission to “make this a better world ”
UCBR has been an invaluable partner in PPGC’s mission to advance reproductive health, rights, and freedom for all Louisianans over the past four decades
From active engagement in social justice ministry to an unwavering commitment to educational empowerment, UCBR has exemplified the values of inclusivity, compassion, and justice, serving as a beacon of hope and progress in our community During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, UCBR graciously opened its doors to provide a safe space for PPGC’s community activities, including the memorable 2021 Baton Rouge Spring Event drive-in celebration
UCBR's sanctuary has served as a vital platform for public engagement, amplifying our collective voice during legislative sessions and fostering dialogue on crucial reproductive rights issues. Countless members of UCBR have volunteered their time, resources, and talents to support Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, embodying the spirit of solidarity and compassion
As we celebrate 40 years of service in Louisiana, we are honored to recognize UCBR, its leaders, and congregants for their enduring partnership and outstanding contributions to the movement for reproductive freedom.
PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
SECOND CENTURY AWARD:
SECOND CENTURY AWARD: Tamara Kreinin (2023); Elena Marks (2023); PPGC Hand Holders (2022); PPGC Frontline Health Care Staff (2021); Lillie Robertson, Beth Robertson, & Cullen Geiselman (2020); Melanie Gray (2019); The Clayton Family (2018)
LEGACY CIRCLE HONOREES:
LEGACY CIRCLE HONOREES: Louella Breedlove*; Betty Lou Carter*; Abby Ray Catledge*; Richard Colt*; Peter J Durkin; Flora Fenner*; Tina Freeman; Karen Ostrum George; Melanie Gray; Susan Gundlach; Dr. Holley Galland Haymaker; Peggy Heaton*; Burdine Clayton Johnson; Rosa Keller*; Wendy Wallace Kelsey; Caroline Weiss Law*; Susan McAshan*; The Rev W Stewart MacColl*; Nancy McGregor Manne; Neal Manne; Peggy Neuhaus*; Hanni Sr Orton*; Joan C Penniman; Genevieve Peterkin*; Nancy Peterkin*; Dee Dee Reilly*; Mimi Robinson Rose; Gwyn W. Smith; Eleanor Tinsley*; Phyllis Van Kerrebrook*; Isabel Brown Wilson*
*deceased
PPGC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Reiland,
Pam Reiland, Chair
Belinda Lewis Batiste
Verniss McFarland, III
Cathy Coleman,
Cathy Coleman, Vice Chair
Mariella De Alba Ortiz
Erin Mincberg Spiegel
Victoria Ramos, Treasurer
Juliet McBride, Secretary
Victoria Ramos, Juliet McBride,
Tiffany Echevarria
Micah Fincher
Elizabeth Monaghan
Swati Narayan
Lindsay Reeves, O’Neil,
Lindsay Reeves, Development Committee Chair
Robin O’Neil, Immediate Past Chair
Fatima Hassan Ali
Angela Jones
Rachna Khare
Rashmi Kudesia
EVENT COMMITTEE
Michael Reeder
Takema Robinson
Alison Young
Nancy Davis, Co-Chair
Dionne Rousseau, Co-Chair
Nancy Davis, Dionne Rousseau,
Debby Apcar
Ginny Engholm
Micah Fincher
Melissa Flournoy
EVENT SPONSORS
MOVEMENT MAKER
Holley Galland Haymaker
Winifred & Kevin Reilly / DeeDee Reilly Family
Mary Ann Sternberg
CHAMPION OF CHOICE
Cathy Coates & Brian Hales
Dionne Rousseau & John Pojman
COURAGEOUS VOICE
Anonymous
Debby Rundell Apcar
Elizabeth & Willy Monaghan
Neelima Sukhavasi
Leslie Tuttle & Jonathan Earle
ADVOCATE
Anonymous
Henry & Monica Bradsher
Melissa Flournoy & Michele Fournet
Holley Galland
Haymaker
Robin Heath
Julie Hoffman
Fairleigh Jackson
Janet Moulder
John Pojman
Laneceya Russ
Neelima Sukhavasi
Leslie Tuttle
FIERCE FRIEND
Anonymous
Bayou Sarah Farms
Jean Coco & Stanley Wilder
Micah J. Fincher
Ava & Cordell Haymon
Robin Heath
Julie Hoffman
Paula Hoffman
Gay Le Breton
Mary Mikell & Gaines Foster
Linda & Mark Posner
Alison Quayle & Alistair Ramsay
Lindsay Reeves
Julie Rousseau
Jessica Runnells
Emily Taylor & Chris Frink
Donna Yelverton & Janet Moulder
OUR VISION
Planned Parenthood seeks a world in which all children are wanted and cared for, all individuals have equal rights and dignity, sexuality is expressed with honesty, equality, and responsibility, and the decision to bear children is private and voluntary.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is to ensure the right and ability of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing health services, education, and advocacy.
ppgulfcoast.org
@ppgulfcoast