March For Life Board Is Committed to Ensuring a Continuation of Nellie Gray’s Legacy

The Board of Directors of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, which organizes and runs the annual March for Life in Washington, DC, met on August 14, 2012, and approved a transition plan that will continue the legacy and vision of their former President, Nellie J .Gray, who passed away last week. In a unanimous decision, the Board of Directors elected board member Patrick E. Kelly as Interim Chairman of the Board of Directors and board member Jeanne F. Monahan as Interim President. Mr. Kelly and Ms. Monahan will guide the day-to-day operations of the March for Life and ensure the continuation of the vision of its founder, Nellie Gray.

Mr. Kelly serves as Vice President for Public Policy for the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, where he is responsible for matters relating to public policy, legislation, and government affairs. He has over twenty-five years of distinguished military and government service, which has included work in the U.S. State Department, the Justice Department, and on staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. A Captain in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps Reserve, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctor from Marquette University and a Master of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America.

Ms. Monahan is the Director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council in Washington, DC. In this capacity, she is an expert on life issues and is a regular media contributor on issues related to the dignity of human life. Previously, Ms. Monahan served in various capacities at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A life-long advocate for life, Ms. Monahan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from James Madison University and a Master of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America.

“Patrick and Jeanne are fantastic and intelligent leaders in the prolife movement who will continue the great legacy set forth by Nellie Gray,” said Terrence Scanlon, who has served as Vice President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund for more than two decades.

The 40th March for Life will be held on the National Mall on January 25, 2013.