Some events raise funds, others spark conversations — Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast’s (PPGC) annual Versus Luncheon did both, and then some. With more than 1,800 allies filling the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom on February 28, the powerhouse event raised more than $1.6 million to support reproductive health care, education, and advocacy in Texas and Louisiana.
But beyond the dollars, the day was a call to action, driven by personal stories and a commitment to reproductive rights.
A Family Legacy of Advocacy
At the heart of the afternoon was a moment decades in the making: the Second Century Award presentation to longtime Planned Parenthood supporters Deborah Detering and her daughters, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Katherine Center, and Shelley Stein. Their collective impact — from co-chairing the 2009 luncheon to launching Planned Parenthood Young Leaders to standing firm in public office — has helped shape the fight for reproductive freedom in Texas.
Introducing the honorees, Erin Mincberg Spiegel, a PPGC board member and former campaign manager for Rep. Fletcher—reflected on their decades of service. The recognition was emotional, a moment of honoring leadership and legacy.
A Conversation That Hit Home
The keynote fireside chat between Dr. Anitra Beasley, PPGC’s Medical Director, and Amanda Zurawski, one of Time’s 2025 Women of the Year, was anything but typical luncheon fare. It was raw, urgent, and deeply personal.
For Zurawski, advocacy wasn’t a choice. It was survival. In 2022, she was denied lifesaving care under Texas’ abortion bans after experiencing pregnancy complications. The delay led to sepsis, a week-long intensive care unit stay, and permanent medical consequences that shattered her dreams of motherhood.
Zurawski’s voice wavered, but her message was clear.
“People still don’t understand the real impact of these laws,” she told the audience. “And that is terrifying.”
As the lead plaintiff in Zurawski v. Texas, the first patient-led challenge to a state abortion ban, she has turned personal trauma into a national rallying cry, testifying before Congress, speaking at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and sharing her story through a documentary.
A Celebration of Strength
PPGC president and CEO Melaney Linton delivered a sobering update on the state of reproductive care in Texas and Louisiana. Since the bans took effect, PPGC’s patient navigation program has helped circa 3,000 people access out-of-state abortion care, providing $1.1 million in financial assistance for travel, lodging, and childcare.
Linton also paid tribute to two giants of reproductive rights who passed away last year: former Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Accepting applause on behalf of her mother’s legacy, Erica Lee Carter stood as a testament to generational advocacy.
Though advocacy was the throughline, there were moments of pure joy. Houston drag icon Adriana LaRue opened and closed the program with dazzling performances that had the crowd on its feet. Allie Peacock, the luncheon’s fashion-forward chair, stunned in a custom gown made from 10,000 condoms, a cheeky nod to the event’s mission.
Local independent bookseller Brazos Bookstore curated a selection of banned books and feminist literature, featuring works by 2025 Second Century Award honoree and New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center alongside other essential voices.
At the Angel Share afterparty, guests sipped cocktails from a specialty menu benefiting PPGC. Meanwhile, an art installation featuring works by R Babb, Eliana Gottlieb, Angel Quesada, Antonia Lara Sanchez, and Loren Siems added a powerful visual statement mirroring the organization’s mission.
On the scene were Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy, Sen. Molly Cook, Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson, Rep. Christina Morales, Rep. Jon Rosenthal, Rep. Gene Wu, City Controller Chris Hollins, District Attorney Sean Teare, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, Council Member Abbie Kamin, District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, and Tax Assessor Annette Ramirez.
Photo by Charlie Horse Photos
Melanie Linton.
