The 2026 Acadiana Proudly Pro-Life Gala on Saturday, January 17th, was a beautiful evening and a tremendous success!

Erica Inzina, J.D., Policy Director of Louisiana Right to Life

Our emcee was Erica Inzina, J.D., the Policy Director of Louisiana Right to Life. She gracefully led the event from start to finish!

Bishop Douglas Deshotel

Bishop Douglas Deshotel, Diocese of Lafayette, opened the Gala in prayer. We are grateful for Bishop Deshotel’s pro-life leadership in the Acadiana community.

State Senator Brach Myers and State Representative Beau Beaullieu, our 2026 Gala Chairmen, welcomed the audience and thanked them for coming. They recognized the following other elected officials who were present: Governor Jeff Landry, Secretary of State Nancy Landry, State Treasurer John Fleming, Senator Blake Miguez, State Reps. Josh Carlson, Julie Emerson, and Annie Spell, and former State Senator Ronnie Johns. They also recognized U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy as well as State Reps. Troy Hebert and Jacob Landry for their support of the event.

Becki Landry, Governor Jeff Landy, and Erica Inzina

We were proud to honor Governor Jeff Landry and his family, especially his late mother Edna, for all they have done in Louisiana to protect unborn babies. Governor Landry’s sister, Becki Landry, a longtime advocate for pregnant women and their babies, joined him to accept the award. Governor Landry has been a tremendous Pro-Life leader in his entire time as an elected official, including his most recent efforts as Attorney General and Governor to ensure that unborn babies are protected in Louisiana following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. As Governor, he has signed into law several bills that enhance the protection of pregnant women and unborn babies, including some that have become models for other pro-life states. Governor Landry acknowledged the importance of community in protecting the unborn and reminded us that we all play a vital role in keeping Louisiana pro-life. He also praised the efforts of Attorney General Liz Murrill in her past and current efforts to defend and uphold Louisiana’s pro-life laws.

We are so grateful to Becki Landry and Governor Landry for carrying forward the important pro-life values instilled in them by their late mother Edna Landry.

Mrs. Pam Tebow

Pam Tebow, our keynote speaker, shared how her brave decision in the face of recommendations by doctors to choose abortion has blessed our world with her son Tim Tebow. She recounted the story of how a Super Bowl commercial featuring herself and her son Tim conveyed the simple message “Celebrate Family. Celebrate Life.” was viewed over 5.5 million times and had a profound impact on public opinion regarding abortion. She also shared how she was blessed many years later to meet a young woman who happened to see the commercial after making an appointment to have an abortion but whose mind was changed by that simple yet powerful message. With the young woman was her daughter who was saved from abortion. Pam’s testimony reminded us that we may not always see the fruits of our work and that sometimes our efforts come at a cost, but that we should carry forward anyway.

She was extremely complimentary of the many projects she learned about while in Acadiana at the Gala, along with the many people she met as well.

Hannah Guilliam, Acadiana Youth Programs Director, Louisiana Right to Life

This year’s recipient of the Bienvenu-Smith Outstanding Pro-Life School Club award was St. Cecilia Catholic School in recognition of their outstanding dedication to serving moms and babies. John Bienvenu of the Bienvenu-Smith Fund for Acadiana Pro-Life Education, and Hannah Guilliam, Acadiana Youth Programs Director for Louisiana Right to Life, introduced the award and shared about the great progress Louisiana Right to Life has made in educating high school and college students in the Acadiana area with the support and assistance of the Bienvenu-Smith Fund.

Ben Clapper, Director of Louisiana Right to Life, shared about how the funds from the gala would be used to continue to defend and protect life in the Acadiana community, help mothers, and protect unborn babies. Ben also shared with the audience a brick from the recently demolished June Medical Services abortion clinic in Shreveport, Louisiana, reminding everyone that while we encounter many roadblocks in our joint efforts to protect life at all stages, anything is possible through persistence, faith, and unity.

The evening was capped off with celebratory dancing to the sounds of Coteau Grove, an amazing Acadiana band.

The 2026 Acadiana Proudly Pro-Life Gala was truly an evening celebrating the joy of life and inspiring all to continue ferociously defending it. Thank you to all of our generous supporters who make Louisiana the most Pro-Life state in America!