By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
A year after the Dobbs decision dropped, you might be asking, “Where are we as a movement?”
The 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade was the most important pro-life development of my lifetime. Roe has been tossed into the dustbin of history, where it belongs.
Many people waited a lifetime to see Roe’s demise. Forward-thinking advocates for life–most notably the staff and volunteers of National Right to Life–had prepared for Roe’s overturn.
I believe we are now in what I would call Phase Two of the pro-life movement. It is a time filled with possibility and promise and, yes, challenges. But pro-life advocates have weathered plenty of storms in the past and will continue to do so as we work to ensure that each pregnant woman is empowered and each preborn child is protected.
I believe we were made for a time such as this. At times, our advocacy efforts will be focused on achieving life-saving, life-affirming legislation. At other times, we will be concentrating on educating people about a range of subjects–from abortion coercion to abortion trafficking to abortion pill reversal to human development to pregnancy resources. We can harness technology, from 4D ultrasounds to phone apps to social media platforms, to revitalize our society.
And we need to be in a constant state of recruitment. Gen Z needs our message–and we need them to rebuild a culture of life. Efforts such as the National Right to Life Academy, internships, essay and oratory contests can light the flame of pro-life advocacy in the hearts of our young people.
Some media narratives have painted the pro-life movement as struggling in the wake of Dobbs, a classic example of the triumph of hope over experience. The fact is, we are just getting started.
Phase 2 is barely a year old. Let’s get busy!