Crisis Pregnancy Centers: The Birth Of A Grassroots Movement

In the early morning a woman is boarding a plane, destination Minneapolis, Mn.  She is anxious and hopeful.  The person she is to meet may have the answer to her burning desire to perform some personal service to save the unborn from the scourge of abortion.  The meeting between Louise Summerhill and Denise Cocciolone turns out to be an historic one--an alliance between two women.  They will gather together thousands of other like-minded people into an organization called Birthright, the alternative to abortion.

Meanwhile, another woman from Kansas is flying to the same destination, Minneapolis, with a similar mission in mind:  to meet with a woman who has a plan for direct action to aid women distressed by pregnancy.  Her name is Bernadette Sanders. 

A few months later a mother of four is preparing a special soup to be served to her pastor in the hopes of obtaining his financial assistance to fund a group known as Birthright in her city of Richland, Washington.  M.T. Hall.

In Missoula, Montana a mother passes the time with her 3-month old infant by watching the Phil Donahue show on TV.  He is interviewing a guest from Right To Life.  The guest tells of the work of a group called Birthright.  She sends for a copy of The Story of Birthright and opens an office with others in her city.  Nancy Morton.

In Eugene, Oregon a mother of five is reading her diocesan newspaper.  She is drawn to an article on a new pro-life group in Portland, Oregon.  She calls the Director.  They meet and an office is opened in March of 1973 in Eugene. 

In California a Sister of Social Work hears the news that a bill allowing abortion has passed.  She, too, has met Louise Summerhill and wonders how she can help.  Sister Paula Vandegaar calls five colleagues together.  They write a manual to help guide lay people in their work with distressed pregnant women. Her organization became International Life Services.

When we follow the stories of these women we find that they fulfilled their dreams to push back against the abortion behemoth by creating and participating in a movement.  It has come to be called the Pro-Life Service Movement.  It is crucial to remember that even in the climate of private options, most women desire to talk about their problems with one whom they trust. That is why CPCs were created and that is why we are here and why we will still be here in the future. I know that God is with us and that there is always hope.