2024 versus Luncheon Program

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Annual Luncheon February 23, 2024

today’s program

WELCOME

The Rev. Ryan Hawthorne

Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church

REMARKS FROM CO-CHAIRS

Lisa Coffin & Amanda Gelb

STATE OF PPGC

Melaney A. Linton

President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast

VIDEO PRESENTATION

Wellness Within

REMARKS FROM CO-CHAIRS

Jocelyn Coffin & Sarah Gelb

break

VIDEO PRESENTATION

PPGC Promotores de Salud Spotlight

AWARD PRESENTATION

Melaney A. Linton

President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast

Sallie Morian

2024 Second Century Award Recipient

KEYNOTE REMARKS

Kelley Robinson

President, Human Rights Campaign

CLOSING

The Rev. Ryan Hawthorne

Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church

a letter from our president

Dear Friends,

Each year, we look forward to this luncheon as an opportunity to gather in solidarity and to remember that our collective strength lies in the unshakeable resolve of this community. The palpable energy in this ballroom is an annual reminder that we are truly in this fight together. Despite relentless political attacks on our health, rights, and very existence, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast remains grounded in our mission to care – no matter what.

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is still here. And with allies like each one of you, this year’s dedicated Luncheon Committee, and our 2024 Second Century Award honoree Sallie Morian, we aren’t going anywhere. Because of your steadfast support, our doors stay open.

I want to personally thank our devoted co-chairs, Lisa and Jocelyn Coffin and Amanda and Sarah Gelb, for their outstanding work on this year’s event and their longtime commitment to our cause.

Finally, I want to thank you, our fearless supporters, for your partnership in this fight for a world where our freedoms are no longer up for debate. We are part of a movement that is strong and built to last. Your support truly powers this work, and it’s because of you that PPGC continues to show up for the patients and communities who depend on us more than ever.

Your enduring commitment to our mission and your belief in the power of reproductive freedom will carry us forward together.

Until victory,

Melaney A. Linton President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast

a letter from our co-chairs

Dear versus Guests,

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for joining us at the 2024 versus Luncheon. Your presence and support have made this year’s event remarkable.

The funds we raise today are instrumental in supporting Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast’s lifesaving work, ensuring our communities can access safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental health care no matter their circumstances.

This care includes out-of-state abortion patient navigation, birth control, STI testing and treatment, HIV prevention, cancer screenings, annual wellness visits, gender-affirming hormone therapy, primary care, emergency contraception, and more.

Your support funds

Planned Parenthood providers’ and educators’ work helping people of all ages and identities get the care and support they need to make informed, healthy decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. Your support funds Planned Parenthood organizers’ work to mobilize supporters through community outreach, legislative and issue advocacy, and lobbying for reproductive health and rights.

The enduring fight for our freedoms has spanned generations, and it is up to each new generation to carry it forward — until the v in versus stands for victory.

We would also like to thank the staff, volunteers, and committee members who put this event together and gave us the space to celebrate with people who share our vision for the future. We are immensely grateful for everything you do.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible afternoon and for being champions of reproductive health and rights year-round. Together, we will create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Lisa Coffin, Jocelyn Coffin, Amanda Gelb, and Sarah Gelb

second century award

SALLIE MORIAN, 2024 RECIPIENT

Sallie Morian has been a leader in the fight for reproductive freedom in Texas for more than 30 years, including as a dedicated donor, fierce advocate, and passionate volunteer for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. Sallie has served on PPGC’s Board of Directors (1997-2007), as a Gala Chair, and as a member of several PPGC event committees. She has also been an active partner in Planned Parenthood’s advocacy and political work in Texas, serving on the PPGC Action Fund Board of Directors (2003-2017) and as an inaugural member of the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (2014-2018).

PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS

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: 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 S. 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

today’s speakers

EMCEE: THE REV. RYAN HAWTHORNE

Rev. Ryan Hawthorne is a recently ordained priest in the diocese of Texas. She received her M.Div in 2013 and completed a Diploma in Anglican Studies in 2021. Ryan loves exploring ministry and theology on the edge and at the intersections of race, class, and gender/sexuality. In her free time Ryan enjoys exploring Houston, sitting with friends on patios, and any activity involving water. She also revels in the great joy of raising a young child.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: KELLEY ROBINSON

Kelley Robinson is the current president of the Human Rights Campaign and the first Black, Queer woman to lead the organization. Robinson — widely respected for her work over the last 15 years creating and leading winning campaigns and programs — came to HRC after serving as Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. From community organizer to progressive leader, Robinson has been at the forefront in the fight for bodily autonomy and racial and gender equity, with a focus on lifting up marginalized communities and building political power.

ppgc board of directors

Pam Reiland, Chair

Cathy Coleman, Vice Chair

Victoria Ramos, Treasurer

Juliet McBride, Secretary

Lindsay Reeves, Development Committee Chair

Robin O’Neil, Immediate Past Chair

Belinda Lewis Batiste

Mariella De Alba Ortiz

Tiffany Echevarria

Micah Fincher

Fatima Hassan Ali

Angela Jones, PhD

Rachna Khare

Rashmi Kudesia, MD

Verniss McFarland, III

Elizabeth Monaghan

Swati Narayan

Michael Reeder

Takema Robinson

Erin Mincberg Spiegel

Alison Young

your impact in action

As a nonprofit organization providing affordable health care to all people regardless of income or insurance status, we depend on your support to keep our doors open. generous supporters like you, this past year PPGC:

• Cared for more than 36,000 patients.

• Helped more than 2,000 people access safe and legal out-of-state abortion care, providing over $870,000 in direct financial assistance for their travel-related costs.

• Provided nearly 9,500 hours of unbiased, medically accurate sexual health education to more than 6,600 people of all ages.

• Engaged more than 16,000 advocates in the fight for reproductive health and rights.

Our lifesaving work is only possible because of you. Help us continue to care for the thousands of patients who depend on PPGC now more than ever — and double your impact with today’s matching gift.

Your gift today will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000! Give online at ppgulfcoast.org/giveversus.

the story of versus

Our story is bigger than one fight, and we know our work is far from over. No matter what we are up against, we are up for the challenge. Together. What remains after the overturning of Roe v. Wade has been here all along and will always remain. It’s the heart of why we’re here.

versus . A symbol of our unrelenting movement, a reminder that hope and progress will not be denied, and an inspiration for the work ahead. versus stands for who we are. Why we’re here. What we believe in. It’s what unites us and pushes us forward, together.

In this new era, versus stands for the courage to fight for the rights that belong to us.

luncheon committee

Madhureeta Achari, MD & William B. Dixon II

Hala Ahmad

Natalye Appel

Emily Watkins Baker

Sarah Balinskas

Preity Bhagia

Laura Bhatia

Lee Blask

Dr. Katie Bolt

Hillary Boswell

Krista Bouchard

Terri Burke

Claudia Casbarian

Julia Casbarian

Louise Chehlaoui

Wendy Chiles

Janet Clark

Lizzie Coffin

Margie Cohen

Meryl Cohen

June Deadrick

Clare Doyle

Jenny Elkins

Karen & Buster

Freedman

Stephanie Spicer Frey

Ann Friedman

Susanne W. Galtney

Diane Gendel

Karen Ostrum George

Shelley Gottschalk

Caitlin Halpern

Kathy Harrison

Gail Hartz

Dr. Jacqueline Hecht

Michelle Hicks

Leslie Holland

Kate Jackson

Stephanie Josephson

Leora Kahn

Brayden Chiles

Keenan

Sara Kelley

Wendy Kelsey

Tammy Butler Kidd

Marilyn Knight

Peggie Kohnert

Sima Ladjevardian

Kathy Lee

Sandy Lessig

Dr. Kimberly Kay

Lopez

Silky Joshi Malik

Elena M. Marks

Gabby Martinez

Annie Baker McDonald

Nancy McGregor

Alexander Fisher

McLean

Laura Clyburn

McWilliams

Lisa Mellencamp

Beth Matusoff Merfish

Sherry Merfish

Allison Standish Miller

Michele P. Mullin

M. Anne Murphy

Swati Narayan

Veronica Nasser

Suzanne Nimocks

Brenda Peters-Chase

Michele Pola

Allissa Pollard

Jil Robbins Pollock

Janet & Jeff Pozmantier

Lara Purser

Jennifer May Reiland

Pam Reiland

Ashleigh Rickertsen

Lillie Robertson

Beth Robertson

Regina Rogers

Carolyn & Jake Sabat

Angela Smith

Dev Stern

Diana Strassmann

Nicola Fuentes Toubia

Karen A. Twitchell

Connie Wallace

Melody Wang

Julie Watkins

Cindy Wigglesworth

Nina Zilkha

luncheon sponsors

SECOND CENTURY

Henry Morris

VISIONARY

Anne & Albert Chao / Diana Strassmann & Jeff Smisek

Gardenia Foundation

Joan Hohlt & Roger Wich Foundation

LEGACY

Janet Clark

Amanda & Sarah Gelb

Rochelle & Alan Jacobson

Nancy McGregor & Neal Manne

Beth Robertson / Lillie Robertson / Carroll Ray

MOVEMENT MAKER

Karen Ostrum George / Cathryn Selman / Karen Twitchell

Burdine Clayton Johnson

Wendy & Mavis Kelsey

Peggie Kohnert

Sherry & Gerald Merfish

Suzan Miles

Allie Peacock

Gwynneth Smith

CHAMPION OF CHOICE

Anonymous

Laura & Vineet Bhatia

Jim Boyd

Lisa & Jocelyn Coffin

Deborah I. Detering

Clare H. Doyle / Suzanne Nimocks

Ann & Kent Friedman

Kirsten & Susanne Galtney

Melanie Gray & Mark Wawro

Michelle E. Hicks

Elena & Kenneth Marks

Beth Matusoff Merfish & Daniel Coleman

George A. Peterkin, MD

Marci Rosenberg

Carolyn & Jake Sabat

Ellen Safier

Jeri & Marc Shapiro

Angela Laswell Smith & Mark W. Smith

Tracy Stein

The Wang Family

Julie Watkins

Cindy Wigglesworth

Lorraine Wulfe

Nina Zilkha

COURAGEOUS VOICE

Madhureeta Achari, MD & William B. Dixon II

Joan & Stanford Alexander Family

Mary Ellen Angel / Angel Share

Preity Bhagia

Lee Blask

Wendy Chiles / Brayden Keenan / Alexandra McLean

Mary Ellen Clark

Virginia (Ginger) A. Clark

Heidi Dugan

Jenny Elkins

Karen & Buster Freedman

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP / Hillary Holmes

Louise Glenn

Jan Greer / Rose Ann Medlin

Paige & George Hagle

Caitlin Halpern

Lauren & Geoffrey Harrison

I’ll Have What She’s Having

Jill Jewett

Sis Johnson

Theodore J. Lee & Marc A. Sekula

Sheila Loewenstern / Deedee

Ostfeld / Rhonda Gerson / Ede Weiner

Audrey MacLean

Laura Clyburn McWilliams

luncheon sponsors

Amy Melton

Katie Bolt Moore

Minnie & Jhett Nelson

Robin O’Neil & Jonathan Eisen

Michele Pola

Kathryn Rabinow / Gail Faris

Victoria Ramos

Gwen E. Richard

Beverly Keag Robinson

Katie Sammons & Terry Lohrenz / Trey Peacock

Mallory & James Shaddix

Karen Shouse

Connie S. Wallace / Frances Robertson

Rebecca White

ADVOCATE

Hala Ahmad

Neelofur R. Ahmad, MD

Maida Asofsky / Ann S. Jackson

Betty Baer & Fred Krasny

Krista Bouchard

Heather Brown

Bettie Cartwright

Carolyn & Platt Davis

Sharon Davis

Marsha Dodson

Lainie Gordon & David Mincberg / Erin Mincberg Spiegel & Scott Spiegel

Kathy & Robin Harrison

Jacqueline Hecht & Wayne Dorris

MaDonna Hendrick

Leslie Holland

Cisselon Nichols Hurd

Leora Kahn

Kathryn Kase

Ann Kaufman / Bobbi Samuels

Sara Kelly, Madeline Kelly & Linda Kelly

Tammy Butler Kidd

Sandy & Van Lessig

Augusta & Sidney Levine

Anne Lewis & David Morris

Liberty Row

Nicole Longnecker & David Pesikoff

Silky Joshi Malik

Margie Cohen & Friends

Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler

Elizabeth & Willy Monaghan

H. Russell Pitman

Pam Radford / Legal Media, Inc.

Susan Rafte / Gigi Valera

Hon. Lauren & Michael Reeder

Ashleigh Rickertsen & Carly Milner

Lois Stark

Dev Stern / Kathy Lee

Thebe Warren

FIERCE FRIEND

Laury Adams

Natasha Afonso & Jennifer Strauss

Sally S. Alcorn

Nancy & Scott Atlas

Sharon Baker

Jamie Belinne & Mariella de Alba

Jack Bellows

Nancy T. Beren

Patricia & Alan Bernstein

Hillary Boswell

Anitra Beasley Brod

Michael Broderick

Julie Browning / Angela Caughlin / Courtney Wade Terri Burke

Kathy Butler

Cafe con Ladies

Barbara & Richard Calfee

Claire P. Caudill

Louise Chehlaoui / Diane Gendel

Elizabeth & Zachary Coffin

Meryl Cohen

Cathy Coleman

Dee Coleman

luncheon sponsors

Cathy Crabtree / Julie Kinzelman /

Allison Miller

Amanda Dickinson, John Dickinson, & Nancy Wilson

Kathryn Dreyfus

Emerson UU Church

Jocelyn & Skye Featherstone

Stephanie Spicer Frey

Friends of Preity Bhagia

Friends of Clare Doyle

Friends of Michele Mullin

Friends of Sammy O.

Friends of Swati

Frontier Title / Laura Locastro Ogburn

Cullen Geiselman

Rhoda Goldberg

Betsy Goldstein

Ruth Gonzalez / Judy Johnson /

Deborah Kosich

Katie Beth, Adam, & Eliana Gottlieb

Claire Liu Greenberg

Emily & Kevin Haggard

Rusty & Tissy Hardin

Gail Hartz

Havins & Associates, PC /

Michele P. Mullin

Olive Hershey

Katy & Clyde Hays

Frances & Alexandra Howard

Lee Huber / Mary E. Ainslie

Vicki Huff

Heather L. Hughes

Katherine Jackson

Honorable Nancy K. Johnson

Stephanie Josephson

Carey Jordan & Iona Kaiser

Susan Kennedy

Ashly Kirkland

Marilyn Knight

Suzy LaForge / Pamela L. Reiland / Kelley Tobin

Sylvia Landry

Lisa Madry / HRC Houston

Steering Committee

Gabby Martinez

Juliet McBride

Julie McFarland

Laurie McGill

Jan McNeill

Lisa Mellencamp & Chuck Randall

Ruthie & Adam Miller

Ginni Mithoff

Susan Morrison

Amy Moss

Elizabeth & Bridgette Mroz

Michele P. Mullin

M. Anne Murphy

The Nagi Family

Swati Narayan / Rachna Khare

Veronica Nasser

Kathy & John Orton

Karen Oshman

Owl Ladies of 2017

Jeffrey Palmer

Brenda Peters-Chase

Allissa Pollard & Eduardo Pigretti

Jil & John Pollock

Beverly Postl

Janet & Jeff Pozmantier

Lara & Dan Purser

Fairfax & Risher Randall

Jennifer May Reiland &

Pamela L. Reiland

ROADWomen Democratic Club

Susan Rokes

Rachel Roosth

Betsy & Ed Schreiber

Phyllis L. Segal

Dr. Ed & Susan Septimus

Seyfarth Shaw, LLP / Mark Coffin

luncheon sponsors

Kimberly Hickson Spaw &

David Spaw

Kimberly Sterling

Janice Stooksberry

Rochelle Tafolla & Rick Hess

Paige Taylor

Nicola Fuentes Toubia

Ann Wales

Stephen & Kristine Wallace

WG Ladies

Helen Wils

Carol Wolk

Alison Young & Jelani Kendrick

Linda Zoll

UNDERWRITER

Eileen Barrett

Kathy Kaplan Berkman

Gloria Bluestone

Sissy Boyd

Claire Brooks / Lisa Brooks

Janet Caldwell

Katy Caldwell

Mary Kay Casey

Alison de Lima Greene

Melanie Edwards

Linda Field

Janet K. Greene

Paula Hoffman

Mika Rao Kalapatapu

Monica Kalra

Diane Kaplan

Lee Kaplan

Bernice C. Kaufman

Elizabeth Kidd

Jacqueline Koenig

Rebecca Lamb

Joy & Jeffrey Lee

Gloria K. Lepow

Caroline Leverette

Shelley B. Marmon

Layne Mason

Hagit Mei-Dan

Morgan Kennedy Moody

Terrylin Neale

Claudia Ospina & Michael Lerner

H. Neal Parker

Lindsay Paulin

Paula G. Pozmantier

Lindsay Reeves

Babs Rosenfeld

Sandra Salazar

Joyce Sandweiss

Sarah Schoenbeck

Priya Sharma

Hinda Simon

Patricia Caycedo Smith

Beth Sova

Laura Stake

Kris & Neil Thomas

Emily Todd

Laura Wildenthal

Paulette Wolfson

limited-edition versus tote, $30

“Inspired by the iconic ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ slogan, this artwork boldly reinterprets it in support of Planned Parenthood and the essential health care services they provide. The cowboy hat adorned with roses serves as a powerful illustration of the resilience and determination of those who stand with Planned Parenthood. I was happy to support Planned Parenthood because of their unwavering commitment to providing essential health care, education, and advocacy. Their efforts have saved countless lives and empowered individuals to make informed choices about their own bodies and futures.”

Kati Rioz, artist

Available for purchase today at the marketplace with other select swag; 100% of proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.

about the artist

Kati Rioz is an illustrator and designer based in sunny Southern California. Her portfolio spans various projects, encompassing branding, packaging, web design, iconography, editorial illustration, and more. Above all, Kati’s interested in opportunities where she can use design as a tool to talk about movements that matter. You can find Kati’s work at katirioz.com or on Instagram @katiriozzz.

AFTERPARTY

This year, the party won’t stop after the luncheon: Join us from 2-5 p.m. at Angel Share HTX (924 Congress St.) to keep the celebration going!

The official versus afterparty is an opportunity to extend the spirit of giving, providing extra time and space for meaningful connections and celebration with like-minded supporters as we continue the fight to advance reproductive health and rights in our community. Luncheon tickets are not required to attend the afterparty, and we encourage you to invite your friends and colleagues to raise a glass with us!

Attention Texas Voters! Early voting is already underway for the statewide primary election, and your vote is your voice – make sure to use it.

EARLY VOTING

February 20 – March 1

ELECTION DAY

Tuesday, March 5

For more information, to update your voter registration info, or find your polling place, visit www.votetexas.gov.

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.