An 18-year veteran of Planned Parenthood in New Orleans talks with her daughter about her life and work
Pat Thomas, better known to most as “Ms. Pat,” has worked at Planned Parenthood for 18 years. She briefly retired — then came back to work. Today, at age 75, she is as proud as ever to provide lifesaving health care in her New Orleans community.
“The neighbors always say, ‘Why is Ms. Pat going to work?’” her daughter, Tasha Branscomb, teased. “‘It’s time for her to retire.’ And I say, ‘Oh, no, not my mama. She just can’t sit down. That’s not something she can do.’”
“I just love Planned Parenthood,” Ms. Pat explained. “There was some moments that Planned Parenthood stood by me, so I had to stand by them.”
The two recently sat down for a heart-to-heart about Ms. Pat’s work, the ups and downs of parenting, and the importance of continuing to fight for progress, even when it’s hard.
Their conversation was recorded by StoryCorps Studios as part of Abortion in America’s collection of interviews with people in Louisiana about the ways in which the state’s abortion ban has affected their lives. This project was produced in collaboration with Glamour and the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University.
It’s like walking through mud. It’s tough, but you got to keep going. You keep going.
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