TAUW LEGENDS: Steve & Marla Bradshaw
The TAUW Legends video series preserves the voices and stories of those who shaped our first century of service. As part of our Centennial celebration, Jesse Boudiette, president of Propeller Consulting and Centennial Committee member, sat down with Steve & Marla Bradshaw, who c0-chaired the 2016 annual fundraiser.
Join us in continuing Steve & Marla’s legacy of compassion and community impact. Your gift today in honor of Steve & Marla helps write the next chapter of our story, ensuring that future generations will have access to the same life-changing services that have touched so many lives over the past century.
Interview highlights
Jesse Boudiette: Marla, Steve, tell me a little bit about how you both first got involved with the Tulsa Area United Way. How did that start for you?
Steve Bradshaw: You know, for me, I actually got started with United Way in Oklahoma City, like I think most people do. It was an employer-led campaign, which is a fantastic way to get introduced. We moved to Tulsa in ’84 and stayed connected to United Way. Then over time, you stay more engaged, you become part of the campaign, and one day you wake up, and you’re co-chairing that campaign with your wife, Marla. So that’s how it went for me.
Marla Bradshaw: Very similar. I was new to Tulsa, I didn’t really know much about United Way, and my employer was running an internal campaign. That’s what got me interested, got me informed, and it just made sense.
Jesse: What’s it like as an employee in those early days, being part of that internal campaign? Speak to the camaraderie and what it does for culture from the employee perspective.
Steve: It was an event, and it was clear that it was important to the employer. But once you got engaged, you realized it wasn’t a pressure-filled thing; it was really joyful. The company wanted to make a difference, and you had employees giving at different levels and often volunteering their talents, whether it was on the Day of Caring or something similar. It does build spirit and camaraderie. You feel engaged with the community, and you’re also proud of your company.
Jesse: You two are known for doing a lot of volunteer and community service work together as a couple. What’s that like?
Marla: The joke between the two of us has been that when you ask one Bradshaw, whether it’s formal or not, you’re gonna get both. It’s been very rewarding and gratifying to give back. Tulsa has been so good to us, so welcoming, and we’ve been given so many opportunities. It feels really good to be able to give back, and doing it with your spouse and best friend—well, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Jesse: United Way turns 100 this year, and they don’t reach that milestone without passing the torch and enthusiasm from one generation to the next. What’s your advice to those stepping in to do what you two have done?
Marla: I’d say, just dip your toe in—get started. Whether it’s through your employer or meetings they might have, or just your own curiosity about the agencies. I’ll reiterate, I’ve never heard of an agency turning down an opportunity for a volunteer. That’s the best way to get involved, to see what the needs are. See it for yourself—don’t take anybody’s word for it. Go see the work being done in our community.