By Andrew Bair
Recently, we marked 60 years since Rosa Parks boldly refused to give up her bus seat. Her courageous act had a tremendous ripple effect nationwide, changing hearts and minds and inspiring others to get involved in the cause for civil rights. Her story reminds each of us that one person’s activism can have a huge impact.
The National Right to Life Academy, a five-week summer program held at NRLC’s DC headquarters, trains pro-life student activists to become effective advocates for life. The ripple effect of the program’s graduates can be felt across the country.
Over the five weeks of the program, pro-life students learn from the foremost leaders in the pro-life movement on a variety of topics, including abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, Planned Parenthood, legislative strategy, lobbying, politics, communication, grassroots organizing, social media, and more.
Graduates of the program are currently working for state pro-life groups, starting local right-to-life chapters, aiding in the efforts of crisis pregnancy centers and bringing a pro-life perspective to their workplaces in the medical, legal, and social work fields.
Notable graduates include John Seago, the legislative director for Texas Right to Life. John was instrumental in the passage of the Texas pro-life omnibus bill HB-2.
Chelsea Shields currently serves as the legislative/PAC director for Wisconsin Right to Life. She testified before a legislative committee on Wisconsin’s Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which was ultimately passed and signed into law.
Since his graduation from the program in 2014, Brock Schmeling went on to become the executive director of North Dakota Right to Life. Brock also serves on the National Right to Life Board of Directors representing North Dakota.
Lacey Dent serves on the board of West Virginians for Life and heads up a county chapter in Tucker County, West Virginia. Lacey is also a frequent pro-life speaker in her home state.
Students interested in participating in the 2016 summer program, which will run July 7th through August 12th, should email the Program Director Andrew Bair at academy@nrlc.org or call 202-626-8809. More information is also available at www.nrlc.org/academy.
Tuition for the program is $3,600 and includes the cost of the program itself, housing in downtown Washington, DC, and registration/lodging at the National Right to Life Convention. Scholarships may be available!
The National Right to Life Academy is focused on equipping young pro-life leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to put their pro-life passion to work. The efforts of just one person can make an incredible difference. And with an estimated 58 million lives lost since 1973, now is the time for each one of us to stand up and be a voice for the voiceless.