Today, I feel hopeful. Energized. Ready for real change.
Just a few days ago, I returned home from Washington, D.C., where I had the incredible opportunity of being a part of the National March for Life and meeting with national pro-life leaders.
As I walked among the tens of thousands of pro-life people who converged on the national mall for the 52nd annual March for Life, I was struck by the sense of momentum.
“One, two, three, four, Roe v Wade is out the door!” marchers chanted. “Five, six, seven, eight, now it’s time to legislate!”
After decades of hard work, volunteering, protesting, praying, and providing support for moms and babies, we now live in a country where Roe is overturned; where dozens of states have laws protecting the unborn; and where our new presidential administration has already freed imprisoned pro-life advocates, stripped funding for overseas abortions, and signaled a willingness to defund Planned Parenthood, the biggest abortion corporation in the country.
Today, I want to share a few personal takeaways from my time in D.C.
- Showing up is incredibly important. Often we can feel bogged down with all the possible ways we could get involved, but don’t overthink it! Do what you can. Show up. Pray outside an abortion facility, join a local right to life chapter, or be a part of the national or state March for Life (ours is in May!)
- We’re on the right side of history. We want equal protection for all innocent human life without regard for race, gender, ability or disability status, location, size, or stage of development. History will look back on the pro-life movement as a principled human rights struggle. It will not look kindly on the barbaric practice of legal abortion.
- There is power in the conviction of even one person. Sometimes, all it takes is for one person to be courageous enough to stand up for what’s right. To fully commit to his or her values. That passion can inspire others and mobilize an entire generation.
Participating in the March and hearing the incredible talks by people like Lila Rose and Vice President J.D. Vance was so motivating.
It was also deeply energizing and encouraging to meet with pro-life leaders from National Right to Life Committee and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who were so impressed with the work that pro-life Oregonians are doing to protect the rights of the most vulnerable.
“This is really impressive,” our national counterparts told us when I told them about how our staff, volunteers, pro-life partners, and ordinary Oregonians are engaging in the political sphere, distributing pro-life resource guides to vulnerable families, and spreading the pro-life message through year-round grassroots advocacy. “It’s amazing you’re able to accomplish this in a state like Oregon.”
I’m so proud and grateful to be a part of this movement with you.
Thank you for all you do to defend Oregon’s most vulnerable.
