“Pro-lifers should be inspired by the early suffragists who understood the true dignity of women, and that every person, born and unborn, deserves equal rights.”

-Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life-

Washington, D. C. – Today, the March for Life Education and Defense Fund announced the theme for the 2020 March for Life – “Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.” Jeanne Mancini, President of the March for Life, was joined by Gloria Purvis, radio host and Chairperson for Black Catholics United for Life, Serrin Foster, President of Feminists for Life, and Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation of Virginia, to discuss how the theme for the 47^th annual March for Life embodies the current state of the pro-life movement.

2020 marks the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment of the Constitution which guarantees women the right to vote. The movement to pass the 19^th Amendment was led by women suffragists, considered the early pioneers of the feminist movement, who understood that abortion ends a life and harms women. These leaders include such women as Susan B. Anthony, and Alice Paul, who said abortion is the “ultimate exploitation of women.” Today, the pro-life movement is following in the footsteps of the suffragists as they advocate for equality for the unborn, believing that equal rights for women begin in the womb. Like the original feminists, the pro-life movement believes that women and society deserve better than abortion and that life is truly the empowering choice for women, babies, and society.

“Courageous suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who fought for women’s right to vote, also opposed abortion. Pro-lifers should be inspired by the early suffragists who understood the true dignity of women, and that every person, born and unborn, deserves equal rights and protections under the law,” said Jeanne Mancini. “The success of the suffragists in achieving a guaranteed right to vote for women gives us hope that one day all persons, born and unborn, will be guaranteed the right to life,” continued Mancini.

The 47^th annual March for Life, the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration, will be held on January 24, 2020. Leading up to the March for Life and throughout 2020, the March for Life will share more about the theme and the incredible history of the women who pioneered the women’s rights movement and their pro-life beliefs.