March for Life

The next young lady we’d like to introduce you to has been attending the March for Life since she was only 4.  An 18 year old from Northern Virginia and student at Northern Virginia Community College, Claire Lejeune has been marching on for many years.  In fact, she’s already created an international pro-life organization.  Read more about her in our interview below, and don’t forget to share YOUR “Marching On” story.

What impacted you the most at this year’s March for Life?

I’ve been attending the March for Life every year since I was just a little kid, but this year was the most impactful.  This past January I truly realized the extent of the pro-life youth that attend the March for Life.  I went with the purpose of seeing how many young people really were there, and I was blown away, that despite the absolutely frigid temperatures, young people from all over the country, and all over the world came to DC in droves to speak out for life.

How have you been marching on for life?

At the March, and since January, I’ve had the opportunity to advocate for the group I started when I was 16, Prolife Youth.  It first started as a Twitter presence, then Facebook, and then the blog was established at the beginning of this year.  Youth bloggers from all over the world, in the age range of 15-28, contribute to the blog.  The goal is for young people to be able to educate our peers, and help each other stand up for life.  We even made #ProLifeYouth trend nationwide this past June!

How do you see yourself involved in the pro-life movement in the future?

I love to help people see the truth about life.  So I don’t know exactly, but I know that’s what I want to do. I certainly want to keep growing Prolife Youth; we’ve got lots of ideas and projects for the near future.  I also plan to begin sidewalk counseling as well.

What’s your advice for fellow young people?

Don’t be afraid of what other’s think of you.  Doing something that makes you uncomfortable can often make the biggest impact.  Wether you post a pro-life article on your Facebook page or walk across America for life, just do something. That’s what will end abortion.

You can follow Prolife Youth on Twitter @ProlifeYouth and Claire@TheFrenchChicka

Be sure to check out the ProLife Youth Blog HERE.

Our next “Marching On” interview introduces you to Cassandra Jimenez, from St. Joseph’s, Missouri.  Cassandra, 16, is a sophomore at Bishop LeBlond High School.  Cassandra shared some of her experiences from the 2014 March for Life in an online essay called, “Unforgettable Lessons Learned at March for Life.”  Read what she’s been up to since January, and don’t forget you can share YOUR “Marching On” story with us HERE.

When did you first come to the March for Life?

I first came to the March for Life in 2011 when I was in 7^th grade on a trip with my school.  This past January was my second trip, and it impacted me greatly.

What was your biggest take-away from this past March for Life?

This year, I was most impacted by the reality of how abortion harms women and families.  I had a powerful conversation with a post-abortive woman whom I met at the top of the Hill as we were marching, right before the Supreme Court. (Here’s a quote from Cassandra’s essay at Catholic Key Online)

When I got to the top of the hill there was a woman standing there with a sign that said, “I regret my abortion.” I think when she saw me crying, she wanted to comfort me. She walked up to me and told me about her pain and sorrow and everything she has lost. She cried and hugged me and confided to me, “I made the wrong choice but I can be the one to help many others make the right decision.” She kissed me on my forehead and sent me up to the courthouse. I walked up to the courthouse and heard so many stories from women who have had abortions.

It became clear to me that while the media says that abortion is positive, they ignore the horrible impact it has on women, and families.

How have you been marching on for life since January?

I had the opportunity to write an essay about my experience at the March for Life and was able to read it at my church and have it published in our diocesan newspaper, to spread the truth about the March and abortion.

I’m also speaking at a Walk for Life in my town, and at a rally at my school this fall.  Not many people know about the March for Life, so it will give me an opportunity to share my experiences and what I learned about abortion and its impact on women.

How do you see yourself being involved in the pro-life movement in the future?

I hope to keep attending the March for Life – until we don’t have to march anymore!  And I want to keep talking about the March and sharing the pro-life cause to help people understand what a huge problem abortion is.

What’s your advice for fellow young people?

Stick to what you believe in, and keep working at it!  By doing that, people will see the reason why you do what you do, and hopefully you can join them to the pro-life cause.

Our second installment in our “Marching On” blog series, features Sean Maguire.  Sean, from Lynchburg, Virginia, is a second-year law student at Liberty School of Law.  If you are interested in sharing your “Marching On” story, please contact us HERE.  We may share it on our blog or social media!  

Read Sean’s story and inspiring words below:

When did you first come to the March for Life?

My first trip to the March for Life was my freshmen year of college in 2010.  I had become president of our pro-life club on campus, and organized a trip, even though I didn’t know what we were doing!  But I knew it was important, so we just learned as we went.  I’ve been going to the March for Life every year since.

What was your biggest take-away from this past March for Life?

My March for Life experience this year was a bit different.  A friend in my group had twisted her ankle, so we decided to do the march on our own prior to the official start.  It was a great opportunity to be reflective, and to have a quiet, prayerful time, even amidst the busy city and growing crowds.  We also got to see some of the groups on display, which was a great reminder of how many groups are out there with which to be involved!  We then ran into some 40 Days for Life folks from our local area – that was a reminder that while the pro-life movement is vast, it’s a small world too, and there are so many people in our community with whom we can work together.

How have you been marching on for life since January?

I was able to help with the spring 40 Days for Life campaign in Roanoke, VA, in addition to doing sidewalk counseling outside an abortion facility, which is so meaningful.  I also had the opportunity to start an official pro-life group at my law school, and raise funds for the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center and Liberty Godparent Home.

This summer, I had the honor of interning for the Liberty Center for Law and Policy and was able to research and write memos and blogs on pro-life isues, as well as research and write a memo on unconstitutional local city rules that hinder pro-life activism.  I’ll be sending that to the city council in hopes of getting a change that helps more people in Roanoke to be courageous for life.

How do you see yourself being involved in the pro-life movement in the future?

In many ways.  Right now, I will continue to encourage other students to get involved, and get connected.  In the long term, I see myself being involved politically and legally, in ways similar to my Roanoke city rules project. I want to spend my entire life making sure pro-life laws and policies are passed, and fighting those that laws that destroy life and hinder religious liberty. 

What’s your advice for fellow young people?

Wherever you are, get involved.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel either, just join an organization or group, but don’t limit yourself.  There’s so much you can do right around you, for example, do a 5K fundraiser for your local pregnancy resource center.  Just do something. 

Note: After the 2013 March for Life, Sean’s pro-life group made this video: