The debate of Roe V Wade is one that has been happening for many years. Even though the court case made it legal to have an abortion, there are many organizations that have come together to fight against abortions. People who are pro-life have been fighting to save babies’ lives who are not born yet. There are many famous activists that have used their platform to talk about anti abortion ideas. One of the biggest activists is Abby Johnson who does not believe in abortion. One of the things that many people are surprised to learn about her is that she actually started out working for planned parenthood, which is an organization that tries to fight for the right of abortion. According to Logan Smith, Abby Johnson became the director of a planned parenthood that gave abortion and she even helped carry out over 20,000 abortions [1]. After she decided to change her views because of the abortion that she was apart of . Since that moment she has dedicated her life to fighting against abortions and fighting for the lives of babies. In an article by Logan Smith, Abby Johnson once stated: “I knew in that moment that what I saw in just those few seconds was not choice, was not reproductive justice; it was not justice of any kind,” she said. “It was certainly not health care. I knew that what I witnessed in those moments was murder. Murder of an innocent human being in the womb. And I knew I could not participate in that again.” [2].
As I read this quote from Abby I truly agree with her because I don’t believe in abortion as well because you are taking the life from someone that doesn’t have a choice to live or die for her to step down from that position shows how much she cares for someone’s life. She is not the only activist to use their life to fight for unborn lives and fight against abortions.
Another pro-life activist is Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s niece Alveda King. Alveda King held the first Respect for Life celebration and believes in talking to people across the world about pro-life views [3]. she is not someone that many know is a prolife activist but is giving her life to fight for what she believes in.
A lot of pro-life activists are also a part of big organizations that do a lot to fight against abortion. For example, Marjorie Dannenfelser is the president of an organization called Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America [4].
Susan B Anthony America is a pro life organization that was founded by women who believe in fighting for an end to abortion. They named it after Susan B Antony who fought for women’s rights to vote. For them, using her name for the organization shows that they have a vision and a positive mindset to save and fight for what they believe in. Susan B Anthony represents an important figure in our collective memory. By using her name, they are making their organization a part of that memory. The goal of the organization is to look at the Politics of abortion and fight for anti abortion laws and make sure that anti abortion voters know what laws are out. [5]
Another pro life activist is Penny Nance who is in charge of the Concerned women for America organization. [6] The mission and vision for the Cornered Women of America organization is based on religion. They believe in accomplishing things by praying and they believe in having a society based on christ. As for them getting open ears they have done so much to spread the word, including things like working with the media and also getting it to the white house, Congress, and the courts [7]. Penny Nance does a lot for the organization including working with the members of the organization and going on TV and other media to fight for what they believe in. A lot of her interviews have been on fox news [8].
Leaders and advocates for pro life are not just females there are also men who lead and advocate as well. One advocate for pro life is David Bereit is a National Director of 40 days for life organization and is on the advisory board of equal rights institute.[9] He worked with churches to fight abortion clinics and has a very big religious background that he uses to bring people together and work to advocating up to end abortions[10].
These are just some of the pro life anti abortion organizations and leaders that fight for what they believe in. There are many other pro life activists and organizations across the United States that are doing a lot of work to end abortion and abortion clinics. There are even some pro life activists and groups trying to make it illegal to use things like Plan B and some even want to end birth control[11].
Paul Billups II
5. https://sbaprolife.org/about
6. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/24/us/anti-abortion-activists-roe.html
7. https://concernedwomen.org/about-us/
8. https://concernedwomen.org/penny-nance/
9. https://equalrightsinstitute.com/leadership-team/david-bereit/
10. https://equalrightsinstitute.com/leadership-team/david-bereit/
11. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/27/us/abortion-pill-plan-b.html
Paul Billups II
I really like how you included the names and occupations of the important figures on either side of the abortion movement. I find it really interesting how the Pro-Life group ties their case to the memory of Susan B. Anthony, which could change how Americans today view her as opposed to how she was viewed by citizens of this country before. I also like at the end how you included the extreme views of conservatives today, such as the fact that some want to abolish birth control.
I found this post very interesting in the language that was used in the article. The sentence about saving “babies’ lives who are not born yet” is an interesting example of how people often use language to reword the issue at hand. Similar to how people have rewritten the two sides of the abortion debate to be pro-life and pro-choice. Everbody wants to preotect their right to life and the freedom to choose. However no one would say they are on the side that kills babies or the side that forces birth. I think the language used throughout this article is an example of that as well.
I also find it interesting how two of the anti-abortion groups mentioned are tied back to civil rights leaders like Susan B. Anthony and MLK Jr.. I think this is very interesting because the right to choose an abortion is more of a civil right than wanting to limit someone elses action is. However I found this article very interesting.
I found this post very interesting for how you used important figures to tie in the impact Roe v Wade had on society. Penny Nance was a person that you mentioned in your article on how he manages the organization and what they do to protect women’s rights. I also liked how you mentioned some of these organizations are tied back to civil rights leaders who wanted to limit the action of peoples rights of abortion.
I noticed that throughout your post some sort of religious aspect was mentioned. This caused me to wonder if not all, but most pro-lifers have a religious reason for their political stance? It was also interesting to see the different people who used their platform to speak out on what they believe to be as right. Also the fact that you mentioned the niece of Martin Luther King jr. was a good connection to cultural memory since everyone remembers King to be a civil rights leader and activist. King’s niece showed a shift in activism by standing against abortions.