“There is always a reason to choose life!”

By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation

Next year the National Right to Life Affiliate where I work, the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, marks a milestone in its illustrious history. In 2019 PA Pro-Life celebrates its 40th anniversary.

I was not around for the founding of the Federation in April of 1979. But I have been privileged to be on hand for many of the Federation’s accomplishments since.

Just last year, the Federation helped to bring a troubled chapter of Harrisburg history to a close. We discovered the 44 pages of health and safety violations which ultimately led to the closure of the Hillcrest abortion facility. Without the intense media attention and legislative oversight prompted by the Federation, countless preborn babies would have continued to lose their lives at the unsafe facility.

The Federation’s legislative team also discovered a critical loophole in Pennsylvania’s abortion center regulation bill. Once the loophole closed and the bill passed, a half dozen abortion centers closed because they could not meet basic health and safety standards.

The Federation has also been the primary Keystone State cheerleader for the groundbreaking film Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer. The audience favorite chronicles the investigation into the killing spree of abortionist Kermit Gosnell, whose “Women’s Medical Society” was located in West Philadelphia. The movie also showcases the cover-up by state officials of abortion center abuses.

Under the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s leadership, abortion totals in Pennsylvania were cut in half following the passage of the landmark Abortion Control Act. The law requires informed consent, parental consent, and a 24-hour waiting period prior to an abortion.

The Federation has achieved much in 40 years. But much more work remains. Check out our achievements and goals at paprolife.org.

And remember our motto — there is always a reason to choose life!