June 22, 2024, marks two years since the Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
In the 1998 book Wrath of Angels: The American Abortion War, the authors concluded: “Mainstream abortion opponents . . . had only two legitimate political avenues left open to them: ratification of a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe, or the election of presidents and congressional leaders who could gradually change the composition of the Supreme Court. Both were long shots at best, and both ultimately ended in failure and despair.”
Boy, were they wrong! I hope you understand and reflect on the significance of your part in this great achievement for human rights. Whether you have been advocating since before 1973 or newly joined the movement, you have a part in this victory and a role in the post-Roe era.
Like these authors, you may have heard some say, “Give up! The country isn’t with you.You are losing.” But we will prove them wrong again! You are essential. Now is the time to keep up the effort and push forward.
As we do so, yes, we will work to make abortion illegal, restoring rights to preborn humans. We must also work to make abortion unthinkable. How? By educating people about what abortion is and showing there is a better way.
It is a fact that most people do not know what happens during an abortion. Therefore, it’s really important that we tell them. Because if we don’t tell them, who will? And more often than not, people have formed an opinion about whether or not abortion should be legal without a full understanding of what it entails.
Our neighbors also need to see how much we care about both the mother and her developing child. Oregon’s abortion reporting reveals that nearly 60 percent of women seeking abortions are in their 20s. These are college students and women working at first jobs. How are we making those environments welcoming to life, valuing family and motherhood?
Are we willing to cooperate with churches, charities and governments that believe differently than we do? If we show mothers that we are willing to go to any lengths to help them and their babies, it will have far-reaching effects!
Celebrate Life Month is a perfect opportunity to try out a few advocacy activities. By the time you receive this issue of Life in Oregon, June will be nearly over, but I hope you were able to get involved. If not, you can get started now!
For more information on Celebrate Life Month, see ortl.org/celebratelife.
By Lois Anderson, ORTL Executive Director.
