THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 41, NO. 7 | SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Ashley Bratcher, known for her performance as Abby Johnson in the movie “Unplanned,” was the keynote speaker for the “Evening for Life,” a fundraiser held Sept. 5 for the Wyandotte and Olathe Pregnancy clinics.
‘God had prepared me,’ believes actress By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
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VERLAND PARK – A year of transitions. That’s what Diane Drouhard called the past year for both the Wyandotte and Olathe Pregnancy
clinics. In February, Drouhard accepted the role of executive director for the Olathe Pregnancy Clinic and Leah Conner became executive director of the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic. Both women spoke during the “Evening for Life,” an annual fundraiser held Sept. 5 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event included a reception, dinner, recognition of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann (see sidebar) and a keynote speech by Ashley Bratcher, known for her performance as Abby Johnson in the movie “Unplanned.” In her remarks, Conner said she had big shoes to fill. “I quickly learned that this mission actually has very little to do with me,”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Leah Conner, executive director of the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic, and Diane Drouhard, executive director of the Olathe Pregnancy Clinic, participated in their first “Evening for Life,” held Sept. 5 at the Overland Park Convention Center. she said. “It functions entirely by the grace of God, by the dedicated staff, the courage of our clients, the countless volunteers and the generosity of
our donors. “So, I personally want to say thank you to every one of you who are here tonight and to those not present also.
It’s your thoughts, prayers and support that make this whole thing possible.” Drouhard echoed Conner’s words. Calling it both “an honor and blessing to serve,” she said it had been a year of transition for both clinics — transitions that had led to growth. “Proverbs 16:9 tells us that a man plans his ways,” she said, “but God directs his steps. We’re here because of the One who directs us.” After dinner, Bratcher, 26, recounted her journey to committed Christian and playing Johnson. While in high school, Bratcher began dating her eventual husband. One night, during her senior year of college, the couple went to the state fair. A booth’s display changed her life forever. “I happened to look up,” she said, “and I see this one booth. It said, ‘Do you want to be an actor?’” She auditioned for a local commercial and landed the part. Afterward, her agent took her to New York City for a weekend’s worth of auditions which resulted in 21 different offers. >> See “TRANSFORMATIONAL” on page 5