Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM) is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood in Michigan. We work in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the national level, as well as our health center/education affiliate Planned Parenthood of Michigan, supporters, and patients at the state level to ensure access to reproductive health for all Michiganders.
The mission of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan is to protect and enhance the ability of affiliates to deliver reproductive health care services by affecting policy makers through electoral and non-electoral activities. (Affirmed, October 9, 1999)
The goals of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan are to:
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Educate communities about the status of reproductive rights and health.
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Educate communities about the impact of public policy and conservative decision makers on the status of reproductive rights and health.
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Drive action and hold decision makers accountable on women’s health and rights.
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Mobilize voters around the election.
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Build long-term power through the meaningful engagement of supporters and allies.
Our Organizing Framework
Training and leadership development of our people: Organizers, patients and health center staff, action teams, campus groups, defenders, members, and other supporters operate under our Path to Power organizing model which emphasizes storytelling, issue cutting, power mapping, action, and progressing up the leadership ladder.
Working through a reproductive justice lens: We recognize that the needs and interests of our communities are not limited to access to affordable health care including birth control and abortion, but that all people must be able to live full, healthy lives free of fear from poverty, discrimination, and violence.
Building a powerful network of Planned Parenthood supporters online and offline:
Utilizing innovative approaches online and off, we provide supporters with the opportunity to engage with existing infrastructure where we have it, and to help to build it where we don’t.
Making progress through public policy:
Strategically organizing to scale around legislative attacks and opportunities to help frame the debate, shift the balance of power, and win on issues that have an impact on our communities’ lives and livelihoods.
Our Team
Nicole Wells Stallworth
Executive Director
I am delighted to be serving such a meaningful purpose of advancing the organization’s dynamic mission.
Megan Zapinski
Operations Manager
Megan is the self-appointed CEO of Gentle Reminders and keeps the team on schedule for reporting, financials, and meeting agendas.
Ashlea Phenicie
Strategic Communications Manager
Ashlea is the woman behind PPAM's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, email, website—you name it!
Kristen Harter
Washtenaw County Regional Community Organizer
Kristen is the regional organizer for Washtenaw County.
Brittany Bodenheimer
Kalamazoo Regional Community Organizer
Brittany is the regional community organizer in Kalamazoo.
Angela Vasquez-Giroux
Vice President of Communications & Marketing
Angela Vasquez-Giroux has been an award-winning journalist, a union organizer, a stay-at-home mom, a political consultant, a press secretary for the state Senate, and a communications professional.
Cassy Jones-McBryde
Black Organizing Program Manager
Cassy is an award-winning social entrepreneur who has a long-standing commitment to the empowerment and positive development of women and girls.
Dipita Das
Civic Engagement Coordinator
Dipita works to protect voting rights, support fair legislative maps, and promote various forms of civic engagement initiatives to community members and leaders.
Patty Durell
Oakland County Regional Community Organizer
Patty Durell is the regional community organizer based in Oakland County.
Annie Norman
Associate Field Director
Annie oversees our team of Regional Community Organizers, ensuring they have what they need to thrive as they continue to build local, collective power across Michigan.
Emily Clancy
Program Manager
Emily oversees our statewide programs and supports our team of regional organizers.
Ethan Schmitt
Senior Community Organizer
Ethan is a community organizer based in Lansing who is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and reproductive justice.
Jarell Wilson
Detroit Regional Community Organizer
Jarell Wilson is the regional community organizer for the Detroit area.
PPAM is made up of a 501(c)4 and a Super PAC that allow us to work on all levels of advocacy and activism in Michigan. This is a breakdown of our structure and which activities fall under the 501(c)4 or SuperPAC.
501(c)4: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan is a 501c4 nonprofit that works to protect and enhance the ability of the affiliates to deliver reproductive health care services by affecting policy makers through non-electoral lobbying activities.
Direct Lobbying: PPAM's 501(c)4 talks directly
to elected and other “lobbyable” officials about supporting or opposing specific legislation.
Grassroots Lobbying: PPAM's 501(c)4 encourages people to contact their representatives about supporting or opposing specific legislation.
Endorsements: PPAM's 501(c)4 issues endorsements of candidates. Through a questionnaire process that goes to candidates at the state, county and local level, candidates receive endorsements in both primary and general elections. PPAM does not endorse federal candidates. That is handled through the federal Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF).