25 Stories
Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina was founded in 1982 by five community members who believed that every child should be a wanted child and that greater access to quality family planning and reproductive healthcare would help reduce unintended pregnancies.
Through the course of 25 years, our work has touched many thousands of lives; some as clients, some as patients, some as volunteers or advocates, and others as staff and board members.
As part of our 25th Anniversary Coming of Age celebration, we will highlight twenty-five of these community members who have a deep connection with our mission and organization.
Tiffany Mills
Perry Colwell
Alison Kiser
Sue Baker
Alex DeSousa
Norm & Nancy Gustaveson
John Hughes
Betsy Bertram
Hubert "Will" Williams
Michael Warner & Betty Craven
Natalie Blackburn
Leigh Ann Dasher
Janet Colm
Tiffany Mills, peer educator, 18, graduate of Hillside High School
 When Tiffany Mills joined a Planned Parenthood teen education program, she quickly realized there's a lot more to Planned Parenthood than controversy and contraception.
“The program focuses on self-esteem and cultural awareness,” Tiffany said. “The message of loving yourself was constantly incorporated. Planned Parenthood educates adolescents about health, sexuality, politics, gangs and life skills that are not taught anywhere else in the world.”
Tiffany believes educating young people about sexual health issues not only equips teens to make smart decisions, but also to become effective advocates for the Planned Parenthood mission.
“I had the wonderful opportunity to be a panelist for the Planned Parenthood campaign for comprehensive sexual education in public schools. It was challenging because questions were spontaneous and you have to answer on the spot.”
Fortunately, through her involvement with Planned Parenthood, Tiffany doesn’t have to struggle to find the answers.
Perry Colwell, Former Board Member and current volunteer and donor, retired AT&T executive
 Serving on the Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina Board of Directors put Pery Colwell in touch with the aspects of health and freedom he values most.
"I am proud to support an organization that provides wonderful, caring, confidential reproductive health care for women," Colwell said. "And one that is a strong effective advocate for choice. And a great employer."
Although never officially on Planned Parenthood's payroll, his stints as a volunteer over the years have brought him into contact with all aspects of the mission - from patient care to advocacy to education.
"Whenever I would visit Janet at our old health center on Elliot Road I would have to walk through the waiting room," Colwell remembers. "Looking at the women and men there always choked me up because I knew they really needed us. And I knew we would give them the care they needed so much."
Alison Kiser, co-founder of the Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood chapter on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, former intern and staff, Associate Director of Common Sense Foundation
In 2002, Alison and a friend recognized the need for a pro-choice organization at UNC that engaged in advocacy work, but also educated the university community about preventing unintended pregnancies and STI’s. This realization led them to Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina who provided the resources, information and inspiration they needed to get their Vox chapter up and running.
Vox did not just educate the campus community; the organization also provided its members with valuable life experience. “My involvement with Vox opened so many doors for me,” Alison said. “This is so much more than just another campus club. It provided me with my first experiences with public policy work and grassroots organizing.”
Alison recalls her Vox chapter being involved in everything from campus organizing for the March for Women’s Lives to distributing condoms and educational materials in local bars.
Alison’s work with Vox ultimately led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work which she completed in May 2007. “Vox provided me with a vehicle to learn about the ideas at the root of the pro-choice movement like women’s equality and the right to self-determination,” Alison said. “Those same values are the basis of Social Work as well.”
Sue Baker, Former Board Chair, current supporter, retired Pediatric Nurse
Former Board of Directors member Sue Baker knows that while there’s nothing funny about Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina’s mission, sometimes getting there takes a little humor.
“At one of the Board of Directors meetings, Janet had an icebreaker question so we could get to know each other better after new board members came onboard: Did you use birth control the first time you had sexual intercourse? There were interesting answers to say the least!”
Although she cherishes the memory of that Board meeting, Baker says what she values most about Planned Parenthood is the professionalism and expertise of its staff and its commitment to the community.
“I think the pro-choice battle would be incredibly difficult without the existence of Planned Parenthood,” Baker said. “Planned Parenthood has credibility in women’s health because they provide services and health care; few if any of the other pro-choice groups provide health care to women.”
Alex DeSousa, Chapel Hill Health Center Manager
 Alex DeSousa knows accidents can – and do -- happen. The Chapel Hill Health Center manager says she’s always been pro-choice but when a friend in college became pregnant despite using a condom, it reaffirmed her belief that the right to choose how to handle a pregnancy should be defended at all costs.
In the two years she has been with Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, Alex has served as manager of both the Durham and Chapel Hill Health Centers. She says her experience has shown her the importance of having at Planned Parenthood in the community.
“I'm very proud to be directly involved with the services provided to our community in family planning and abortion services,” Alex said. “I am excited about our new services of inserting IUD at time of procedure as well as our soon-to-be offered service (this November) of vasectomies.”
Although she loves working at Planned Parenthood, Alex said her dream would be to see a world in which our work in the realm of reproductive justice would be unnecessary.
“I would love for the pro choice movement to not be an issue in twenty five years,” she said. “I hope that as a society we can elevate our consciousness to a place where a woman's right to choose is the norm.”
Norm Gustaveson, former board member and long-time supporter
Maybe the reason Norm Gustaveson is such a big supporter of Planned Parenthood is because he knows firsthand what the world is like without it.
In Chicago back in ’52 or ’53, neighbors couldn’t get contraception because of Comstock laws and politics,” Gustaveson said. “Amazing the number of people who were ideologically against Planned Parenthood, but realized their ideology didn’t really help them through a crisis.”
Gustaveson has spent his political career crusading for reproductive rights, striving to overturn outdated sexual health laws based on fear and misinformation.
“I’m concerned about the future. It’s important to remember how easy it is to slip back and let some of those old beliefs take hold and undo the work we’ve done.”
But, Gustaveson says, as long as Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina keeps fighting for reproductive justice, that shouldn’t happen any time soon.
Nancy Gustaveson, long-time supporter
Before she ever heard of Planned Parenthood, Nancy Gustaveson knew of a need for its services.
“My own mother, pregnant with her fourth child in less than four years, back in 1935, drove across the state (to San Antonio) for an abortion - but chickened out.” Gustaveson remembers. “I don't know if that was a back-alley arrangement, the old clothes hanger method, or not. Back then, we didn't talk about details.”
Easily accessible reproductive health services are just one reason why Gustaveson is proud to support Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina. As a retired teacher, she knows too well of the need for the widespread, clear, truthful information that is a hallmark of PPCNC’s services.
“Planned Parenthood ranges from an emergency saving grace to a pre-planning resource.” She explained. “All needs and questions from A to Z can be addressed for those requesting it. Planned Parenthood is truly a safety net!”
John Hughes, former board member and long-time supporter
When Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina supporter John Hughes sat in an acquaintance’s living room a little more than 25 years ago, little did he know he was making history.
Talk turned to reproductive health and what the small group could do to bring a Planned Parenthood to Orange County. A short time later, that group’s discussions bore fruit.
Hughes proudly stood outside the day Planned Parenthood of Orange County opened its doors in Hillsborough. “Planned Parenthood has not always been popular,” Hughes said. “The opening day of the clinic in Hillsborough, there were many picketers.”
But through his work with the UNC School of Medicine’s Pediatrics Department as a social worker in a special project in the Orange County Schools for high risk teens, Hughes knew Planned Parenthood’s services were vital to the community.
“Critical to teens’ lives and decision making is correct and readily available information,” Hughes said and added he is thankful Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina makes it its mission to provide the highest level of education and services to all those it serves.
Betsy Bertram, Peer Educator
To ensure reproductive justice for the future, we must instill those ideals into today’s youth. 
As a Planned Parenthood peer educator, Betsy Bertram spreads the wisdom of sexual health and safety to young people in North Carolina.
It’s natural that Betsy is so active in the Teen Voices Program, as she grew up in an environment that cherished Planned Parenthood’s values.
“My mom’s best friend works at Planned Parenthood, so I’ve known about its mission from a young age. I don’t remember exactly when I first heard of Planned Parenthood, but I do know that when I was in kindergarten and my mom was going there to meet her friend, I was with her.”
Betsy believes it’s vital to reach teens about safe sex. That’s why she’s grateful that Planned Parenthood values teen education that ensures young people like her make healthy, informed lifelong decisions.
Hubert "Will" Williams, Community Health Educator
Growing up in the inner-city, Will says there was a clear disparity between people who said they care and how people showed they care. And, he says, no one ever talked about the real issues such as sex or staying safe. So at a young age, he became an advocate for children and teens.
He saw a huge gap in the parent/adult-to-teen relationship caused by adults who treated young people as if their feelings didn’t matter or that their level of understanding was inferior because they hadn’t yet reached a certain age.
“I had many questions, but without someone to look to for answers, my decision-making skills were sometimes lacking,” he said. “I became a father at age 19 and though I ultimately found success, it was very hard. I gave up an academic scholarship and the mother of my child gave up a Division 1 basketball scholarship. Who knows what else we missed along the way?”
Will’s sacrifices propelled him into action, from youth ministry, to youth mentor, to teaching any young people he could find. When he saw the ad for a position in education at Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, he says he thought, “This is me, this is my destiny.”
He knew that any educational program designed by Planned Parenthood would not censor information and would address the totality of the issues facing teens today. Now he is among the purveyors of what he calls “the most accurate information.”
“I love the fact that I work for an organization that’s in the trenches fighting the ‘good fight’ for all the little people,” he said. “Teens need this information, teens need to know what’s out there, but most of all they need to know how HIV/AIDS, STD, and teen pregnancy can affect their lives. I really believe Planned Parenthood cares for people.”
Michael Warner & Betty Craven, long-time supporters, former and present board member
Betty clearly remembers the day almost 29 years ago when she accompanied her best friend to a local abortion clinic. There was no Planned Parenthood then. “It was a very hard decision for her,” Betty recalls, then adds, “But in those days you did not carry (a pregnancy to term) if you were not married.”
 That was many years ago, and today it serves as the underpinning of Betty Craven and Michael Warner’s support of Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina (PPCNC). They made their first gift to our affiliate in 1992 when we were still Planned Parenthood of Orange and Durham Counties.
They have been active volunteers and donors ever since and have been major contributors to our annual fund through their family foundation, the D. Michael Warner Foundation.
For Betty and Michael, the work of PPCNC fits perfectly with the foundation’s mission to improve economic opportunities for low wealth individuals in North Carolina. “If you have an unwanted child you are probably not going to finish school and you are not likely to take a job that’s going to produce a career,” Betty explained. “It will limit your ability to choose your relationships. It just limits you at such an early age.”
When asked why they felt it was important to donate, Michael said, “[PPCNC] is local and we know the people. We knew it was going to be efficacious; we knew it was going to be something that generated results because we were familiar with the organization.”
Betty added, “We are happy to give the money, but money can’t do anything without the people with the passion that actually do the work, that’s what’s really transformative.”
Natalie Blackburn, Co-chair of Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood chapter on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus
Natalie’s relationship with Planned Parenthood started long before she came to college. When she was in the 11th grade, a high school adviser organized a group of students to attend the March for Women’s Lives in Washington, D.C. Natalie was one of the young activists who attended. “It was so inspiring and exciting,” she recalls. “That’s when I realized that I wanted to be involved in issues that affect women’s health.”
As a high school senior, Natalie completed a job shadowing project with Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina and has recently served as a Public Affairs summer intern with PPCNC.
Natalie has been busy organizing volunteers for PPCNC’s list-building project this summer. Volunteers called 5,000 Planned Parenthood supporters to request their email addresses. Their contact information will be used to send supporters electronic updates on threats to reproductive rights in North Carolina, important legislation being considered in Raleigh, and special events at PPCNC.
“It’s so important that we be able to communicate with people by email,” Natalie said. “It’s the easiest way to make [Planned Parenthood’s] presence known in North Carolina and to keep people engaged in the pro-choice movement. Ideally, we would be able to communicate with every pro-choice person in North Carolina!”
In the future, Natalie would like to work for reproductive justice and access to healthcare for women internationally.
Leigh Ann Dasher, NCCU Law Student, longtime supporter, and former staff
When she was 17 Leigh Ann Dasher turned to Planned Parenthood as a trusted health care provider. Now, 11 years later she says she can see the whole picture.
“Planned Parenthood was a resource for information and reassurance when I was a teenager and young adult,” Leigh Ann explained. “It has provided me with professional opportunities and has encouraged my professional growth. It has been a place where I have developed positive relationships with colleagues, and kindled great friendships.”
Through working both in the health center and on the administrative side, Leigh Ann says she has developed a well-rounded view of Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina that reflects her balanced views on reproductive choice.
“I was raised pro-choice,” she said. “And over the years, I have been pro-choice for different reasons — women’s safety, privacy, individual choices, equality, opportunity, environmental purposes. Ultimately, for me, it is about choice…the right of each person to make choices about his or her own reproductive health.”
The wide spectrum of Leigh Ann’s beliefs and experience also lend themselves to what she sees in Planned Parenthood’s future.
“I would like to see all barriers to birth control removed,” she said. “I would like to see comprehensive sex education in every school. I would like to see a decline in the number of unplanned pregnancies. I would like there to be an abortion provider in every county in the United States. I would like to see PPCNC in rural areas. I would like legislators to seek our help and our endorsements.”
Janet Colm, CEO & President of PPCNC for 25 years
When Janet Colm became CEO of Planned Parenthood in 1982, her office was a room in Hillsborough, NC with a card table and two lawn chairs. It wasn’t until the next year that Planned Parenthood opened its first Health Center and welcomed their first patients.
The grand opening produced a great deal of press in local media. A few days later, Colm received an envelope that contained a newspaper clipping about the grand opening of Planned Parenthood and a check for $500. Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina was off to a strong start and has not stopped developing and expanding since.
Twenty-five years later, Colm reflects on changes in the community as well as within the organization that she built from the ground up. “The whole world is different now,” Colm said. “You would think that in 25 years there would be progress,” Colm said, “but that isn’t always necessarily the case.”
Colm points to the AIDS epidemic, the introduction of abstinence-only sex education curricula in public schools and the inaccessibility of the State Abortion Fund as negative changes she has seen in North Carolina over the past 25 years.
Yet she has also seen the PPCNC affiliate and Planned Parenthood as an organization grow “dramatically stronger” since the early 1980’s. “Over the next 25 years I would like to see a more pro-choice Supreme Court and a better system of healthcare that includes complete access to reproductive healthcare,” Colm said. “It may take us 25 years to get there but I’m optimistic that we can.”
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