On Friday, April 24 at 9:30 AM ET, Georgia State Representative Saira Draper will welcome members of Amber Nicole Thuman, Candi Miller, and Adriana Smith’s families will join Free & Just for a roundtable to discuss how Georgia’s abortion ban has devastated their families, and highlight new attacks on reproductive freedom.
The roundtable kicks off a day of programming for storytellers from across Georgia. Hosted by Free & Just, the gathering in Atlanta is an opportunity for advocates to build community with others impacted by abortion bans. Storytellers will strengthen their advocacy skills and hear from local experts and partners about the work they are doing to fight for abortion access in Georgia and nationwide.
Reporters in attendance will also have the opportunity to interview local patients, providers, and advocates participating in programming (see availability below).
From weaponizing federal agencies to gut access to medication abortion, to sneaking new national abortion restrictions into critical health care legislation, and undermining federal protections for lifesaving care, the consequences of attacks on reproductive freedom are deadly and impact everyone.
Join Free & Just and advocates as they spotlight the impacts of abortion bans and attacks on care nationwide.
APRIL 24 SCHEDULE
9:30 AM — Roundtable featuring families of women killed by Georgia’s abortion ban
- Introduction by State Representative Saira Draper
- April Newkirk, Mother of Adriana Smith
- Turiya Tomlin-Randall, Sister of Candi Miller
- Shanette Williams, Mother of Amber Nicole Thurman
Moderated by Rebekah Sager, Award-Winning Journalist
10:30 AM — The Landscape of Abortion Access & The Future of the Fight
- Grabiela D. Hernandez, JD, Lead Movement Lawyer at SisterLove
11:30 AM — Lunch and interview opportunities
- See advocate availability below and complete this media request form to connect with storytellers participating and we will be in touch to coordinate interviews
Speakers include:
April Newkirk, Atlanta, GA: April Newkirk is the mother of Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old mother and nurse who was nine weeks pregnant when she was declared brain dead after a medical emergency. Adriana’s story made headlines in May 2025 when the state forced Adriana to remain on life support against her family’s wishes. Adriana’s baby, a boy named Chance, was delivered via emergency Cesarean section in June 2025, and remained in the hospital for more than six months.
Turiya Tomlin-Randall, Lenexa, KS: Turiya Tomlin Randall is the older sister of Candi Miller, one of the Georgia women whose death could have been prevented if she received timely abortion care. When Candi became pregnant in 2022, she decided to seek abortion care on her own. However, she experienced complications, and did not pursue medical care for fear of jail time or other punitive repercussions. Maternal health experts deemed Candi’s death preventable and blamed Georgia’s abortion ban.
Shanette Williams, Covington, GA: Shanette Williams is the mother of Amber Nicole Thurman, the Georgia woman who lost her life due to the state’s abortion ban. While experiencing rare complications from a medication abortion, Amber was forced to wait 19 hours before doctors performed a D&C, and Amber tragically passed away.
Dr. Larmia Robbins-Aguilar, Macon, GA: Dr. Mia Robbins-Aguilar is the co-founder of Middle Georgia 4 Choice, a group established as a direct response to the Dobbs decision in 2022. Today, Mia leads over 700 supporters across the state who advocate for access abortion and reproductive care in their communities. Mia recalls feeling genuinely blindsided by the Dobbs decision, afraid for her young nieces, and compelled to do something with her anger over the fall of Roe.
Julia Callahan, Macon, GA: Julia Callahan is a mother from Savannah and the co-founder of Middle Georgia 4 Choice. Julia was denied care for a miscarriage in July 2022, and rapidly deteriorated in front of her husband and son while awaiting treatment. Julia credits access to abortion care with saving her life and allowing her to raise a happy family.
Suki O., McDonough, GA: Suki O. is an abortion clinic ultrasound technician in the Atlanta area. Suki goes out of her way to support patients in need of care, even when they can’t get it in Georgia. In September 2024, Suki came to DC to testify before a House hearing on Project 2025, and she shared how her life has changed since the Dobbs decision.
Elisabeth Stovall, Taylors, SC: In March 2025, at nine weeks pregnant, Elisabeth Stovall learned her pregnancy was no longer viable. She was sent home to miscarry but did not pass the tissue. When she returned to the ER seeking a D&C to prevent infection, doctors told her South Carolina’s abortion ban prevented them from performing the procedure, despite the absence of a heartbeat. After weeks of pain and waiting, she was finally able to receive care.
