Kathryn Pluta graduated from Benedictine College in Wichita, Kansas, in May 2024 with degrees in Journalism and International Studies. Despite juggling college responsibilities, engaging in the pro-life movement remained her priority even in her career. Now, she uses her skills as a copywriter for the Thomas More Society. Read more of Pluta’s journey below.  

Pluta first became involved with Students for Life of America (SFLA) when the president of Ravens Respect Life, Benedictine College’s pro-life club, encouraged her to apply to SFLA’s Christian Leadership Fellowship during her freshman year. The following year, she participated in the Standing With You Fellowship.  

The benefits from these fellowships were twofold: First, she learned a lot about the abortion issue by attending the National Leaders Collective (NLC) kick-off weekend, reading books with her fellowship, and hearing from pro-life speakers. Second, equipped with this new knowledge, she began leading through fellowship projects. Pluta’s favorite projects included planning a fundraising dance for a local Pregnancy Help Center (PHC), advocating for pregnancy mothers’ parking on campus, and starting a ministry for pregnant/parenting students and staff on her college campus.  

Now, Pluta works for a national nonprofit public interest law firm championing life, family, and freedom. Thomas More Society proudly represents clients like peaceful pro-lifers persecuted by the Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) under the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act or sidewalk counselors’ First Amendment-protected right to share the pro-life message with abortion-minded women. The firm also represents several PHCs against lawfare waged by pro-abortion government officials like New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. This lawfare often targets PHCs’ ability to provide and promote Abortion Pill Reversal, a safe and effective way to reverse the effects of the first abortion pill so that a woman can save her baby.  

Her work with the Thomas More Society has even come full circle since the firm provided legal services to SFLA, from defending students’ rights to start a Students for Life group at their school to challenging state policies that would’ve forced SFLA to provide its employees with insurance policies that mandate abortion coverage.  

In college, SFLA allowed Pluta to get boots-on-the-ground experience in the political and legal areas of the pro-life movement. One of her favorite memories was standing before the U.S. Supreme Court as SFLA President Kristan Hawkins announced Roe’s reversal.  

“Being in a Students for Life fellowship made that experience possible for me,” said Pluta, recalling the day. “It’s one I’ll never forget.” 

While personal encounters with abortion-minded women and supportive services are, beyond a doubt, the heart and soul of the pro-life movement, the law remains a crucial part of it as well. Cardinal O’Connor, pro-life advocate and founder of the Sisters of Life, summed up how culture and law work together to change the world.  

 ”Some people argue that changing laws will not eliminate abortions. It is certainly true that a change of heart is more important than a change of law. What is forgotten, however, is that the law is the great teacher,” said O’Connor. “Children grow up believing that if a practice is legal, it must be moral.”   

As an SFLA alumna working full-time to protect Life and family, Pluta gives excellent advice to students eager to do the same: 

“Find out where your strengths and passions lie and lean into those. Start with smaller, achievable goals and work to bigger, multi-step ones. The 5 Pillars of Pro-Life Activism is a helpful place to start as you begin to reflect on your talents and gifts. The SFLA alumni network keeps students involved. If you want to stay active post-graduation, consider joining or starting a Campaign for Abortion Free Cities campaign in your city.  

Whatever you do, remember to stay rooted in prayer and don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn from your mistakes and have fun. Abortion is the most significant human rights violation of our time, and this fight can get dark and depressing. However, there’s so much joy because the gift of life inevitably gives birth to hope. You’re alive and have the opportunity to make a difference in our culture. The Gospel of Life unites us under one banner, and the pro-life movement is on the right side of history. Return to this reality whenever you feel discouraged or burnt out by this fight. The pro-life movement may lose some of the battles; those in the legal and political spheres know this well, but we will undoubtedly win the war.” 

In addition to working full-time in the movement, Pluta has been working to get a Campaign for Abortion Free Cities (AFC) campaign off the ground in Chicago and hopes it’ll build momentum in the Windy City. If you’re a Chicago-based student or recent graduate looking to get involved, connect with Kathryn at [email protected]. 

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