2025 BRSE Program

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: thank you. The road ahead is long, but as long as we stand together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

With gratitude,

Drew Garcia 2025 Baton Rouge Spring Event 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

CHAMPION OF CHOICE

Holley Galland Haymaker Winifred & Kevin P. Reilly Jr. Mary Ann Sternberg

Dionne Rousseau

COURAGEOUS VOICE

FIERCE FRIEND

E. Sue Bernie Cathy Coates Patricia Day

Monica & Henry Bradsher Jean Coco Michelle Erenberg Glynda Fetzer Elizabeth Monaghan Lindsay Reeves Bobbi Wisekal Donna Yelverton

ADVOCATE Debby Rundell Apcar Neelima Sukhavasi

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.

ppgulfcoast.org

@ppgulfcoast