There are moments in life when you know you are witnessing history unfold.  My first such recollection was 34 years ago today.  I recall vividly when my elementary school principal came over the intercom and told us the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded just after takeoff.  A few years later, I watched Operation Desert Storm unfold from the T.V. in my living room.  And, of course, none of us will forget watching the twin towers fall on 9-11.

It’s more difficult to recall positive history-making moments of my lifetime, but as of last Friday, there is one such event I am certain never to forget: when President Donald J. Trump addressed the national March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.

On Jan. 24, 2020, President Trump became the first sitting U.S. president ever to deliver a speech at the March for Life.  And to my amazement, I stood beside him.  More specifically, I was one of 19 women asked to stand with the president as he delivered his historic speech to the 47^th annual March for Life.

This year’s march honored the 19^th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920.  Many suffragist leaders were pro-life; they did not believe abortion to be beneficial to women.  These women included Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul, who considered abortion the “ultimate exploitation of women.” It was humbling to remember these courageous female pioneers as I stood there — women who would no doubt smile and cheer at the sight of their sisters standing on that stage.

As I stood feet from the president, overlooking tens of thousands of pro-life men, women and children (estimates are 60,000 to 70,000 attended the rally, and a total of 350,000 joined the march itself), I was overwhelmed.  I couldn’t see the end of the crowd, nor could I imagine the end to what this would mean to pro-life Americans.  To say the president’s speech galvanized the pro-life community would be an understatement.  It electrified us, gave us a shot in the arm unlike any other pro-life address could.

President Trump encouraged us with statements including “Young people are the heart of the March for Life — and it is your generation that is making America a pro-family, pro-life nation,” and made powerful declarations like “Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.”  I personally appreciated his words to women and mothers: “Today, millions of extraordinary women across America are using the power of their votes to fight for the first right in the Declaration of Independence — the Right to Life,” and “To all of the moms here today: we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes.”

Undergirding his strong rhetoric were many examples of his commitment to pro-life policies.  President Trump recounted his Executive Order to reinstate and expand the Mexico City Policy, his support of the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, his commitment to veto anti-life legislation, to protect faith-based adoption agencies and the rights of pro-life college students to speak freely.  One of the loudest applause lines came when he recalled his appointment of 187 federal judges, including two Supreme Court justices.

The president did not simply “give a pro-life speech.”  He delivered one of — if not the — strongest pro-life speeches I’ve ever heard.  Moreover, his speech was God-honoring, including lines like “When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God’s creation,” and reminding us of Psalm 139, that “each person is wonderfully made.”  Perhaps strongest of all was his concluding remark: “Every human soul is divine, and every human life — born and unborn — is made in the holy image of Almighty God.”

On the slight chance that this article makes it to the president, I would like him to know how profoundly grateful I was, and will always be, to have stood with him as he boldly and unashamedly proclaimed the unalienable right to life and the inherent dignity and value of every human life.  It was an honor I will never forget, and a historic moment for which millions of Americans will forever be thankful.

 

About the Author

Amanda Banks serves as the Director of External Relations for the Family Policy Alliance. 

Every January since 1974, thousands upon thousands have made a pilgrimage to Washington D.C., sometimes in the frigid cold, to march against the abhorrent decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, to March for Life.

Our marching and our year-round advocacy for the unborn would not be possible without the generosity of many pro-life people from across the country. As we approach the 2020 March for Life on January 24^th, we’d like to recognize a March for Life benefactor whose life testifies to the power of embracing her personal mission in the battle for the right to life for the unborn and compassionate care for women, our friend Mary Ann St. Cloud.

Written below is a short biography of Mary Ann authored by her daughters Mary Pat and Antonia.

We hope her life inspires you to continue fighting for the unborn!

“Mary Ann St Cloud was a lifelong defender of the humanity, rights, and lives of the unborn. Even in her final years and illness her passion for the prolife cause never wavered.

When Mary Ann moved to the Sacramento area in the early 1970’s she and a small group of like-minded women began to meet to strategize ways to fight the pro-abortion laws and culture.  Various pro-life groups were in their founding stages at this time. These ladies formed a group called The Committee to Defend the Unborn. They would strategize on how they could be an effective voice. While these ladies were supporters of the early Sacramento Life Center and Sacramento Right to Life they were also their own pro-life voice. Knowing that their state was one of the first to legalize abortion six years before Roe v Wade, they became educated and knowledgeable of the legislative process; they wrote letters to legislators, stayed aware of pending legislation and were a presence at the state capital as bills came forward. They participated in demonstrations to be a presence to the general public. The committee periodically put out a newsletter. An edition always went out during an election season with information about the candidates so voters would be informed.  The group also corresponded with local spiritual leaders and pastors to keep the pro-life cause alive in the nearby religious communities. Through all these endeavors Mary Ann was involved from the very beginning and at the forefront.  As other pro-life organizations grew and expanded their influence and services, committee members became volunteers for these groups while carrying on their personal missions.

Mary Ann was always proud and forthright about her pro-life support. She was never defensive or apologetic for her views and activism. She instilled this passion in her two daughters who are actively pro-life; including one who has been active for over forty years in a myriad of pro-life activities and is now an officer and board member of the Sacramento Life Center. (The SLC founded in 1972, was the fourth of now 3,000 pregnancy medical clinics established across the country starting as a resource center working out of a member’s home.)

Mary Ann was a great admirer of Nellie Gray.  She was impressed with her eloquence, commitment and ability to bring about a national voice for the unborn. She was thrilled with the growth of the March for Life into the remarkable organization that it is today. She appreciated the importance of this national voice and assemblage recognizing the importance of all our communities coming together as one great voice for the defenseless unborn. The National March for Life has a proven record that inspired confidence in Mary Ann. It was no surprise to the family that Mary Ann chose the National March for Life to be a benefactor of her trust.

Mary Ann Taylor was born in Sacramento on July 2, 1932. Mary Ann graduated from St Francis High School and went on to Stanford University where she met Charles Martell. After she graduated, they were married in 1954. Mary Ann was widowed in 1969 and raised her two daughters alone until she remarried in 1979. She passed away on February 18, 2019.”

The pro-life movement continues to save lives because of thousands, like Mary Ann, who confidently say “yes” to their own unique, unrepeatable mission to uphold the inherent dignity of life. Thank you, Mary Ann St. Cloud, for your generosity to the pro-life movement and to the March for Life!

 

TEN TIPS FOR THE MARCH FOR LIFE

 

Be prepared for cold weather!

The streets of Washington, D.C. can be chilly in January. Check the weather forecast before you leave, but bring your warmest winter coat, no matter what! Wear layers – you can add or remove layers depending on the temperature and bring hand warmers, gloves, a hat, and waterproof boots.

Stay connected with your group members.
The crowds are very large at the March for Life, so try to stay physically connected to your group as much as possible. Make sure everyone has at least one leader’s cell phone number, and inform everyone of the time and meeting place after the March is finished. Give everyone a map of the March for Life route, which you can download HERE.

Know your transportation options.
If you’re with a large group with planned transport, make sure everyone is informed of the meeting and pick-up locations. If you’re traveling with a small group, we recommend using public transportation. Check out the March for Life website for more travel information and tips for DC public transportation.

Check out other events throughout the week
Turn your trip to Washington, D.C. into a pro-life pilgrimage by participating in a number of events around our nation’s capital.
The March for Life is hosting events from January 22-24, including:
March for Life Expo
March for Life Conference
March for Life Youth Rally
Find other related events on the March for Life website:
MarchForLife.org/related-events

Download the March for Life App
Stay up to date on March for Life events, connect with other marchers, and receive event updates by downloading the March for Life app!

Bring signs
Be creative and let the world know why we march! Check out some of our favorite signs for some inspiration! Even if you forget or can’t bring signs, many groups will have signs to hand out on the National Mall.

Share your experience
It’s important to show why we march!
During the event, post pictures and videos of your experience at the March for Life and tag them with #WhyWeMarch and #MarchForLife! We’ll be sharing our favorite posts at all our events, including the March for Life Conference, Youth Rally, Expo, and Rally and on WhyWeMarch.org!

Show your representative that you VOTE pro-life
Traveling to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life gives the pro-life movement a unique opportunity to directly let our nation’s leaders know America is proudly pro-life!
After the March for Life, consider visiting your representative’s office to be a voice for the unborn. Before visiting, be sure to read the official March for Life Action lobbying booklet, Capitol Hill 101.

Thank the amazing volunteers
The March for Life would not be possible if not for the dozens of volunteers who give their time, talents, and service to building a culture of life. We are especially grateful for the continued support and service of the Knights of Columbus. If you pass by one of our amazing volunteers, please give them a big thank you!

Stay connected with the March for Life year-round
Sign up for text message alerts so you can get important, late-breaking information by texting MARCH to 73075.
Follow the March for Life on social media.
Facebook: March for Life
Twitter: @March_for_Life
Instagram: @marchforlife 
Youtube: March for Life Education and Defense Fund
Follow March for Life Action to stay up to date on our pro-life efforts on Capitol Hill.
Facebook: March for Life Action 
Twitter: @MFLAction

 

Thank you for participating in the 2020 March for Life! We look forward to marching with you!

 

2019 was a year of major victories in the pro-life movement! Before we look towards the future of the pro-life movement at the 2020 March for Life on January 24, let’s look back on some of our favorite moments and accomplishments from 2019.

Vice President Mike Pence surprised the crowd at the 2019 March for Life Rally and spoke at the March for Life Rose Dinner.

President Donald Trump shared a video message from the Rose Garden, declaring his commitment to veto any legislation removing pro-life policies.

The 1st Virginia March for Life drew over 7,000 Virginians to the state capital, making it the largest crowd to assemble at the Richmond Capitol outside of a Governor’s Inauguration.

By the close of 2019, March for Life announced the 1st Connecticut March for Life on April 15, 2020, the 1st Pennsylvania March for Life on May 18, 2020, and the 2nd Virginia March for Life on February 13, 2020.

March for Life co-hosted “Alive From New York” with Focus on the Family, the largest pro-life event ever held in the Big Apple. Crowds gathered in Time Square to watch a live 4D sonogram of Abby Johnson’s baby and hear his heartbeat.

The Hill Top Lobbyist 2019 named March for Life Action President Tom McClusky as the leading voice in pro-life activism on Capitol Hill.

Since joining the March for Life team in 2013, Tom McClusky has worked hard to take the collective, massive voice of the marchers to the Hill throughout the entire year.

March for Life Action mobilized thousands of citizens throughout the year to be powerful voices for life.

Through our Action Campaigns, we mobilized:

41K citizens to petition Congress 118K times in support of the Born Alive Act. The Born Alive Act Discharge Petition was brought to the House Floor with a record 191 signatures.

8.8K citizens to petition Congress 111K times to stop funding research on aborted baby body parts. On June 5, the Trump Administration halted all aborted fetal tissue research funding.

20.7K citizens to petition HHS 60K times in support of the Protect Life Rule. As a result, Planned Parenthood lost $60 Million in Title X Funding.

The March for Life team continued to grow, with the addition of 3 new members:

Ann Clare Levy – Social Media Manager

Claire Pullan – Administrative Assistant

Mackenzie Rodgers – Grassroots Project Manager

Their passion for the pro-life movement allows us to take greater strides forward in the fight for life every single day.

We are so proud of the impact we made this year in the fight for life and especially grateful for your support, without which, none of this pro-life work would be possible! Help us continue building a culture of life in 2020 by donating to the March for Life!

DONATE!

The Legacy of Dr. William Hogan

“If we ignore this question of “What is man?”, we can find easy solutions by suppressing part of the problem. We can suppress the question of whether the infant within the womb is a member of our humanity.” – William Hogan, M.D. (June 1970)

 

On the anniversary of Nellie Gray’s passing, March for Life employees Katrina Gallic and Ann Clare Levy had the opportunity to sit down with her friend, and one of the original allies of March for Life, Dr. William (Bill) Hogan. That afternoon we discussed the pivotal events in the history of the March for Life’s founding and the impact Bill has had on the pro-life movement over the past six decades.

From the earliest moments of his medical career as an OBGYN in the 1960s, Dr. Hogan placed the loving care for expectant mothers and babies at the heart of everything he did.

As his reputation as a caring physician grew, he often received as patients mothers in vulnerable situations. Recalling a story from his practice, Dr. Hogan spoke of a young woman who came to his office covered in the muck that only comes from years on the streets. She had been homeless for some time and was now pregnant due to rape. After several doctors strongly recommended she have an abortion, she came to Dr. Hogan, hardly speaking but adamant that she give birth to her child. Over the next months, Dr. Hogan cared for this woman and her child, treating them with dignity the other doctors did not. She went through a normal pregnancy and delivered her child without difficulty. Because of the challenges of her situation, she decided that the best thing for her son was to place him with a loving family through adoption. As was the case with many of Dr. Hogan’s patients, she was unable to pay for her care. But come Christmas, the woman returned to Dr. Hogan’s clinic with a gift, a shoebox of broken cookies in crumpled old wrapping paper. Dr. Hogan nearly choked on his first bite of the cookies, but the thoughtfulness of his patient who had practically nothing, yet still gave what little she could, brought him to tears. In telling the story, he states, “I was well paid for my care of that young woman.”

On another occasion, a woman came to him by mistake thinking he was an abortionist. He gently tried to dissuade her from her decision to abort by describing the development of the little baby growing within her.  The woman angrily stood to leave, but Dr. Hogan pleaded gently, “I know you’re under a lot of stress, but will you please come back tomorrow?” To Dr. Hogan’s surprise and joy, the woman returned. She remained as a patient until she gave birth months later, after which she made the courageous decision to place her child in a loving home through adoption. Years later, Dr. Hogan received a call from the woman, announcing she was now married and just found out that she was expecting, telling him, “I wanted you to be the first to know!”

Dr. Hogan’s medical career was filled with moments like these, as he brought to light the humanity of pre-born children by showing dignity and compassion to their mothers in need.

By 1968, the abortion issue was reaching its boiling point in America. Seeing the shifting culture in his medical field, Dr. Hogan knew he had to do more to give a voice to his pre-born patients. In response to this need, he along with other pro-life doctors, formed the American College of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, after over 40 years they are still an instrumental organization in the pro-life movement. Working together with fellow pathologists and obstetricians throughout Washington, D.C., Dr. Hogan was one of the first to collect a portfolio of photos depicting the development of life in the womb and photos of pre-born babies killed by abortion. In the years to come, Dr. Hogan would present these photos at countless medical conventions, legal hearings, and congressional meetings, imploring our nation to see the humanity of the unborn.

In those days, sonograms were rare and few ever saw the hidden life of pre-born babies. For many viewing these photos of abortion victims was the first time they ever saw an image of the unborn. Dr. Hogan’s own brother, Congressman Lawrence Hogan Sr., was not convinced of the importance of fighting against abortion until Bill showed him these photos of abortion victims. Moved by the horrific truth he saw in those photos, Congressman Hogan Sr. became ardently pro-life. He went on to write and introduce the Human Life Amendment which definitively states that the right to life extends to our first moment of existence in the womb, and defend it alongside his brother, Dr. Bill Hogan, in the halls of Congress. Dr. Hogan recalls that his brother Congressman Hogan Sr. gave one of the first speeches at the first March for Life in 1974. Until he passed, Congressman Hogan Sr. credited his brother Bill’s witness to inspiring his courageous advocacy for the unborn.

Around the same time in the 1970s, Dr. Hogan was met to another vibrant voice in the growing pro-life movement, Nellie Gray. The pair, along with other pro-life activists, testified on behalf of the unborn at state and federal legislatures. This group of early pro-life leaders, including Anne and George Higgins, met on a monthly basis in a community center basement to form an action plan for their grassroots movement to combat legalized abortion. Dr. Hogan brought his medical expertise to the service of these pro-life advocates, helping them combat the lies of pro-abortion lobbyists. In those meetings, the idea for a national march was sparked, a march for life were voices from every corner of the United States could come together in defense of the unborn and the right to life. After the tragic Roe v. Wade decision, Nellie brought the idea to life, beginning the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on the anniversary of Roe v Wade on January 22^nd, 1974.

Forty-eight years later, the March for Life is proud to continue the legacy of these early pro-life heroes that dedicated their lives to defending the lives of others. Like Dr. Hogan, the pro-life movement continues to show compassion to women in need, speak the truth in a world that so often rejects it, and march to defend the defenseless.

“The Right to Life movement is one of the most important movements in human history by virtue of its defense of defenseless human life.” – William Hogan, M.D.

 

March for Life is honored to bestow the “Pro-life Legacy Award” to this year’s Rose Dinner guest of honor, William Hogan M.D., in recognition of his life-long commitment to providing affirming medical care for women, and upholding the profound dignity of the unborn child.

For more information about the Rose Dinner, go to marchforlife.org/annual-rose-dinner/