January 2, 2012
We are thrilled that Operation Rescue, a leading Christian, pro-life activism group, has honored our dear friend Kortney by naming her their 2011 Pro-Life Person of the Year. Kortney had dedicated her life to defending the unborn and serving as an Abortion Abolitionist for many years before the tragic car accident that claimed her life and that of our friend, Jon Scharfenberger, In Macon, Georgia this past fall.
On behalf of our entire team at Students for Life and the Blythe and Gordon families, we thank Operation Rescue for honoring our dear friend and her lasting legacy that continues to change the hearts and minds of abortion proponents across the globe.
“Operation Rescue announces today that Kortney Blythe Gordon has been named as recipient of the 2011 Pro-life Person of the Year Malachi Award in recognition of her life-time achievements and dedication to the protection of the pre-born and ending abortion.
Kortney served as Field Director for Students for Life in America, a position that had her traveling across the nation training, equipping, and encouraging student pro-life leaders. She also served as the Director of Campus Life Tours with the Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust from September, 2006, to May, 2009. During her service to these organizations, Kortney distinguished herself as a dedicated leader who tirelessly advanced the Pro-life cause while touching the lives of many, many people. She was a close friend and cheerleader of the work of Operation Rescue.
Tragically, Kortney died in a car accident in October that also claimed the lives of her pre-born baby daughter, Sophy, and fellow SFLA staff member Jon Scharfenberger.
“While she is terribly missed, Kortney’s life’s work stands as a tribute to her warm, loving personality, her fierce dedication to protecting the defenseless, and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. We honor her work by posthumously awarding her with Operation Rescue’s 2011 Pro-life Person of the Year Malachi Award,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
Honorable mention: Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams receives an honorable mention for his investigation and prosecution of abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s horrific and illegal late-term abortion and infanticide scheme. Williams’ 281-page Grand Jury Reportcourageously stripped the cloak of secrecy off governmental corruption that allowed Gosnell and other abortionists to operate without accountability for years and brought national attention to the issue of abortion abuses and corruption. Williams arrested and charged Gosnell and nine of his employees with hundreds of criminal counts ranging from murder to participating in a corrupt organization. So far, six of those charged have pled guilty – three to murder charges – with Gosnell facing a capital murder trial in 2013. William’s work has helped Pennsylvania to purge corruption and bring reforms that provide greater protections for women and hold abortion clinics accountable to meet minimum standards. In addition to the closure of Gosnell’s “house of horrors” mill, resulting abortion clinic inspections led to the closure of two additional Pennsylvania abortion clinics and two abortion clinics in Delawareconnected to Gosnell.”
To view the press release on Christian Newswire, click here.