A LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast’s 2025 Baton Rouge Spring Event! While this evening’s program carries the theme "Laugh No Matter What, " we recognize there is nothing funny about the ongoing attacks on reproductive freedom. Yet, in the face of adversity, we must find strength in community through joy as we fight ongoing and incoming attacks.
For decades, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (PPGC) has been a lifeline to thousands of people in Baton Rouge providing compassionate care, education, and advocacy, no matter their background, identity, or circumstances. Our reproductive rights are under unprecedented attack, so PPGC’s work is more vital than ever
I first joined this fight through the inspiring efforts of PPGC’s Baton Rouge team and their “Men in the Movement” initiative. Their work proved that these attacks on reproductive freedom aren’t just a women’s issue it’s an issue that impacts all of us, and it requires all of us to create the change we want to see. Today, in my roles with 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge and as a student at Southern University Law Center, I regularly witness systemic barriers that impact access to sexual and reproductive health care. PPGC doesn’t just fill these gaps it transforms lives, whether by educating young people in the justice system in programs like 100 Black Men or fighting for our rights in courtrooms and legislatures, while continuing to provide essential care in our communities.
Your support tonight ensures PPGC can keep showing up for patients, for progress, and for the next generation. With your support, we’ll keep pushing forward until every person has the freedom to control their own body, health, and future
To the staff, volunteers, and supporters who make this work possible: ng, but as long as we stand together, e.
t Chair
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
WELCOME
Drew Garcia
2025 Baton Rouge Spring Event Chair
SECOND CENTURY AWARD PRESENTATION
Melaney A. Linton
President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
Henry & Monica Bradsher
2025 Second Century Award Honorees
OPENING MONOLOGUE
Quiana Lynell
Musical Guest
COMEDY SHOW
Broad Comedy
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Quiana Lynell
CLOSING REMARKS
Drew Garcia
2025 Baton Rouge Spring Event Chair
Petrice Sams-Abiodun
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
FEATURED PERFORMERS
BROAD COMEDY: With the Broads, nothing is sacred, except an unflinching look at America today It’s outrageous, it’s community, it’s a party on a stage. Broad Comedy is a nationally known and internationally touring comedy show that has been producing snarky, provocative and loveable all-women’s comedy and musical satire since 1999
QUIANA LYNELL: As an award-winning jazz artist, Quiana Lynell frequents the stage as a clinician, performer, arranger, bandleader and songwriter. Lynell creates an environment where love is paramount, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and respect through her music.
SECOND CENTURY AWARD
MONICA & HENRY BRADSHER
For over six decades, Monica and Henry Bradsher have dedicated their lives’ work to championing education initiatives and promoting the power of health equity, both at home in Baton Rouge and across the globe
Henry’s Pulitzer-nominated journalism exposed international conflicts, earning the CIA’s highest honors Monica, a Fulbright scholar and National Geographic Society innovator, revolutionized educational technology used by millions of students worldwide. Together, they’ve woven their commitment to equity into the fabric of Louisiana teaching with LSU, mentoring youth, and standing strong with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (PPGC)
As dedicated PPGC supporters, donors, and volunteers, the Bradshers embody the spirit of our organization’s highest award through their lifelong service advancing health access and human rights. By leveraging their expertise to advocate for reproductive freedom and continuing to show up for PPGC, the Bradshers have shown that meaningful change starts with local action and global perspective. Their visionary leadership continues to shape Louisiana’s future
PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
SECOND CENTURY AWARD: Deborah Detering, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Katherine Center, & Shelley Stein (2025); Sallie Morian (2024); Cecile Richards (2024); The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge (2024); 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; Tina Freeman; 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
PPGC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pam Reiland, Chair
Cathy Coleman, Vice Chair
Victoria Ramos, Treasurer
Juliet McBride, Secretary
Lindsay Reeves, Development Chair
Robin O’Neil, Immediate Past Chair
Belinda Lewis Batiste
Lisa Coffin
Mariella De Alba Ortiz
Tiffany Echevarria
Micah Fincher
Fatima Hassan Ali
Angela Jones
Rashmi Kudesia
Verniss McFarland
Swati Narayan
Michael Reeder
Erin Mincberg Spiegel
Rochelle Tafolla
EVENT COMMITTEE
Drew Garcia, Chair
Debby Rundell Apcar
Nancy Davis
Patricia Day
Ginny Engholm
Micah Fincher
Holley Galland Haymaker
Dionne Rousseau
Laneceya Russ
MEN IN THE MOVEMENT HOST COMMITTEE
Yusuf Atkins
Matty Brockovich
Giovann Bryan
Kevon Cathings
Shedrick Cole
Jarvis Fountaine
Gabe Garcia
Ryan Gremillion
Alfredo Henry
Ethan Loe
Bryson Luster
Tyler Luster
Tyrone Luster
Will Luster
Terry Matherne Jr.
Kaypounyers Maye Jr
Adam Melendez
Armando Melendez
Robin Moulder
Marshall Muse, III
John A Pojman
Mario Sigur
Tadrian Taylor
Scotty Thornton
Clayton Werner
EVENT SPONSORS
MOVEMENT MAKER
Holley Galland Haymaker
Winifred & Kevin P. Reilly Jr.
Mary Ann Sternberg
COURAGEOUS VOICE
E. Sue Bernie
Cathy Coates
Patricia Day
ADVOCATE
Debby Rundell Apcar
Neelima Sukhavasi
CHAMPION OF CHOICE
Dionne Rousseau
FIERCE FRIEND
Monica & Henry Bradsher
Jean Coco
Michelle Erenberg
Glynda Fetzer
Elizabeth Monaghan
Lindsay Reeves
Bobbi Wisekal
Donna Yelverton
Your support sustains Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast’s work to care, educate, and advocate for our community no matter what Thank you.
“‘Very good’ doesn’t give enough credit to my experience at Planned Parenthood. I am so grateful for everyone I came into contact with during my appointment Judgment-free, incredible bedside manner, all around an incredible experience for an unsettled, emotional patient like myself”
Baton Rouge patient
“I have never felt more cared about at a place before.”
Baton Rouge patient
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.
