A fond farewell to Planned Parenthood leader

Friday
Dec 1, 2017 at 7:40 AM Dec 19, 2017 at 5:44 PM

Gayle Guynup Social editor @gayleguynup

For Sarasota's most famous woman warrior, it was an evening of nothing but peace and love at "All About BAZ," a goodbye party for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida CEO Barbara Zdravecky. More than 300 guests packed the Michael's on East ballroom for the occasion, including Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood.

Richards looked back at some of Zdravecky's many accomplishments, noting that during her tenure, the number of Planned Parenthood supporters has more than doubled, now topping 10 million, while the number of centers in the state has grown from three to 11.

"Barbara has been the heart and soul of Planned Parenthood for 24 years in this country. She has a warm heart, a wicked sense of humor and is the one you want to be around if you've had a really bad day," Richards said. Noting that Zdravecky was always a fierce advocate in the political arena, Richards added, "There are politicians who revere her, and there are politicians who fear her."

Responding to a standing ovation, Zdravecky said, "It is simply not possible to summarize 24 years in five minutes. I know this event is 'All About BAZ,' but it's really not about me. It's about our patients, our incredible staff and our volunteers. It is about the individuals who, one by one, come in and share their most intimate stories. Thank you for sharing and thank you for believing in me."

The emotional highlight of the evening was delivered by Zdravecky's daughter, Maggie Bartles, who tearfully told her mom, "My mother is my best friend, my guidepost for who I want to become."

In a video, the new Planned Parenthood board chair, Laurie Cowan Phillips, announced that Planned Parenthood's Sarasota headquarters would be renamed the Barbara A. Zdravecky Pavilion, and that the BAZ fund has been established to to be used at the discretion of the organization's board of directors. The goal is to raise $500,000 for the fund before Zdravecky's final day as CEO on Jan. 31.

Also speaking at the event were co-chairs Gerri Aaron, Cornelia Mason, and Dr. Washington Hill. "You have made a difference, Barbara, and are leaving Planned Parenthood and Sarasota better than you found them," said Hill.

Seen among the guests were Marvin Albert, Jan Chester, K.T. Curran, Willa Bernhard, Peggy Abt, Nathalie McCulloch, Elisabeth Waters, Sally Yanowitz, Susan McLeod, Barbara Banks, John and Amanda Horne, Gloria Moss and Marian Moss, Aundria Castleberry, Carolyn Johnson, Sophia LaRusso, Charlie Huisking, Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Patricia Courtois and Maureen Maguire, among many others.

Friday
Dec 1, 2017 at 7:40 AM Dec 19, 2017 at 5:44 PM

Gayle Guynup Social editor @gayleguynup

For Sarasota's most famous woman warrior, it was an evening of nothing but peace and love at "All About BAZ," a goodbye party for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida CEO Barbara Zdravecky. More than 300 guests packed the Michael's on East ballroom for the occasion, including Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood.

Richards looked back at some of Zdravecky's many accomplishments, noting that during her tenure, the number of Planned Parenthood supporters has more than doubled, now topping 10 million, while the number of centers in the state has grown from three to 11.

"Barbara has been the heart and soul of Planned Parenthood for 24 years in this country. She has a warm heart, a wicked sense of humor and is the one you want to be around if you've had a really bad day," Richards said. Noting that Zdravecky was always a fierce advocate in the political arena, Richards added, "There are politicians who revere her, and there are politicians who fear her."

Responding to a standing ovation, Zdravecky said, "It is simply not possible to summarize 24 years in five minutes. I know this event is 'All About BAZ,' but it's really not about me. It's about our patients, our incredible staff and our volunteers. It is about the individuals who, one by one, come in and share their most intimate stories. Thank you for sharing and thank you for believing in me."

The emotional highlight of the evening was delivered by Zdravecky's daughter, Maggie Bartles, who tearfully told her mom, "My mother is my best friend, my guidepost for who I want to become."

In a video, the new Planned Parenthood board chair, Laurie Cowan Phillips, announced that Planned Parenthood's Sarasota headquarters would be renamed the Barbara A. Zdravecky Pavilion, and that the BAZ fund has been established to to be used at the discretion of the organization's board of directors. The goal is to raise $500,000 for the fund before Zdravecky's final day as CEO on Jan. 31.

Also speaking at the event were co-chairs Gerri Aaron, Cornelia Mason, and Dr. Washington Hill. "You have made a difference, Barbara, and are leaving Planned Parenthood and Sarasota better than you found them," said Hill.

Seen among the guests were Marvin Albert, Jan Chester, K.T. Curran, Willa Bernhard, Peggy Abt, Nathalie McCulloch, Elisabeth Waters, Sally Yanowitz, Susan McLeod, Barbara Banks, John and Amanda Horne, Gloria Moss and Marian Moss, Aundria Castleberry, Carolyn Johnson, Sophia LaRusso, Charlie Huisking, Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Patricia Courtois and Maureen Maguire, among many others.

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