Dr. Joseph Graham President - Chairman of the Board
I began serving Texas Right to Life as a Founding Board Member in 1972.
Education PhD (Philosophy), University of Notre Dame
Place of birth Canada
Favorite travel destination
Ireland and Rome
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions I knew that abortion was the willful destruction of innocent human life and had to be stopped.
Information I would like to share I am a Professor of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas
Jim Graham
Executive Director and Board Member
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
April 1994
Education Double major in Philosophy and English, magna cum laude, University of St. Thomas
Place of birth Brockton, Massachusetts
If you were in my office you might see
A very large cup of coffee
Favorite travel destination
Rome, Italy
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions I am a cradle Pro-Lifer as my parents were involved since the late 1960s before the 1973 Roe decision.
Elizabeth Graham
Director
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
September 1998
Education BA in Philosophy, Rockhurst College; Some graduate studies at the Center for Thomistic Studies, University of St. Thomas
Place of birth Kansas City, Missouri
If you were in my office you might see
An original movie poster of the "Ten Commandments" that I personally had Charlton Heston sign, pictures from meeting Pope John Paul II, a huge map of Texas.
Favorite travel destination
NYC, Rome, Austria, any beach
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions In addition to raising their six children, my parents welcomed newborn foster infants who were awaiting adoption into our home. Over 75 newborns passed through our home; each one teaching me how fragile and worthy of protection human life is. My parents later shifted their assistance to providing a home for young moms experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Although they probably think we helped them, I learned more from these women than they will ever know. When I started learning more about the teachings of the Church in college and why we are called to be protectors of innocent human life, I grew restless by not being involved and soon became involved with Texas Right to Life.
Teresa Doyle
Financial Director
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
December 2000
Education BBA with minor in Philosophy, summa cum laude, University of St. Thomas
Place of birth Houston, Texas
If you were in my office you might see
Candles, a fountain, pictures of friends and family
Favorite travel destination
St. Martin, Hilton Head
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions My parents instilled in me a strong belief system that included a respect for life from a young age. I became more interested in the protection of innocent human life as I spoke about the issue with my husband's family (who helped to found the Pro-Life movement in Houston). After attending a Celebration of Life gala with them, I felt compelled to become more involved.
Adam Black
Political Director
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
May 2004
Education BS in Political Science, University of Houston
Place of birth Houston, Texas
If you were in my office you might see
A picture of my wife and a long to-do list
Favorite travel destination
Anywhere with family
Hobbies
Spending time with my wife, playing sports, watching movies
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions
At an early age, Holocaust education taught me the perils of standing by and doing nothing in theface of gross injustice.
Melissa Pici
Chapter Development Director
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
March 2006.
Education BA in Speech Communication with a minor in English; Texas A&M University WHOOP!
Place of birth Laredo, Texas
If you were in my office you might see
Lots of pictures…my fiance and I, my nephew with a smile the size of Texas, my adorable niece, and my pets
Favorite travel destination
Puerto Rico
Hobbies
Volunteering, writing, dancing
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions
My parents and my faith built a strong pro-life foundation in me. Later, while in college, I felt called to work in the pro-life movement for a summer spent in Laredo. Assisting at the crisis pregnancy center there really strengthened my convictions, as I had the opportunity to counsel young pregnant women that felt alone and unable to bring a baby into the world. During that summer, I had the pleasure of seeing the only abortion clinic in Laredo close. Not long after graduating, God led me to be active in the pro-life movement once again through Texas Right to Life.
Shane Williams
Regional Director
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
December 2008.
Education BA Baylor University, Double Major in History and Criminal Justice
Graduate School, Tulsa University, Political Science
Place of birth Paragould, Arkansas
If you were in my office you might see Tom DeLay and Richard Nixon bobble head dolls and my Baylor Football Jersey
Favorite travel destination Anywhere with a nice beach (Jamaica, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta)
Hobbies
Playing and watching sports, grilling outside, reading biographies
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions My parents have taught me the value of life since I was a young child. They have also instilled in me very strong religious beliefs that I hold today and those beliefs have only strengthen my moral obligation that life in sacred from fertilization until natural death.
V. Angela Villasenor
Data Entry Associate
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
February 2005
Education Houston Community College
Place of birth Corpus Christi, Texas
If you were in my office you might see
A cross
Favorite travel destination
Mexico
Hobbies
Walking to enjoy His creation, tennis, swimming
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions
My twin nieces Amanda and Sandra, age 16 and very much Pro-Life
Information I would like to share I teach first grade Catechism at St. Thomas More, tutor children of single moms, and visit with the sick in nursing homes and hospitals.
Ruby Zimmerman
Receptionist
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
October 2000
Education University of Houston business courses; Dale Carnegie course
Place of birth El Campo, Texas
If you were in my office you might see
A picture of babies from around the world, Bible verses
Favorite travel destination
In past years, Italy and the Holy Land. These days I stay close to home.
Hobbies
Gardening, creative ventures – recycling
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions
While working at an answering service, I answered a call from a very distressed woman who was experiencing severe complications from a botched abortion. She was in shock because she had just experienced the passing of her aborted child at home. My heart broke for her, and I could not believe that something so horrible could happen to a woman. I have never forgotten her and her pleas for help. That call made me realize I had to be involved.
Information I would like to share
My father's greatest financial advice:
1. Owe no man.
2. Don't spend it until you earn it.
3. Save it while you have it, so you can have it when you need it.
Chris Donatto
I began serving Texas Right to Life in...
November 2007.
Education I am an undergraduate student majoring in Theology at St. Thomas.
Place of birth Lafayette, Louisiana
Favorite travel destination
Colorado or anywhere with snow and slopes to board down
How I came to my Pro-Life convictions
My Catholic faith played an enormous role in my pro-life convictions. Whether a person is only going to live a few minutes as a baby or a person in their late stages of life we are all God's creation and we deserve the original dignity He bestowed on us and no one can take that away. We all have a right to life. That is the choice He made.
