Autumn Whetsell, one of the National Leaders Collective’s (NLC) leaders of the month, is a Students for Life of America (SFLA) William Wilberforce Fellow attending Cerritos College in Norwalk, California.  Learn more about Whetsell’s activism below.  

 My journey in the pro-life movement started with something deeply personal. Before I was even born, my mom almost sent me to heaven early.   

Because of her medical history, she went to an abortion facility for an ultrasound—but in the end, she chose Life. That decision changed everything for me, and it is the reason I stand where I do today.  

As I have grown, I have taken more steps into leadership in the movement, proactively planning events, creating opportunities for members to get involved, and making sure our mission stays strong.  

Recently, I was nominated by a friend to apply for the Wilberforce Program, and I decided to go for it. Since then, I’ve witnessed tremendous growth in my group. Our group just wrapped up an exciting group rush, and the results were amazing!  

What started as a small group of just three members has now grown to twenty-three—and the best part is, students are still signing up. The enthusiasm and support we’ve received show just how needed and valuable our group is on campus, and we can’t wait to welcome even more new faces as we continue to grow.  

We’ve nominated officers, added a Vice President and Secretary, and are now preparing for two fundraising events. On top of that, we’ll be working alongside Letters of Hope and Foster Love to extend our impact even further.  

The quote I carry with me is: “Be unapologetically pro-life.”   

For a long time, I let fear get in the way. I worried too much about what other people thought of me, and I allowed that fear to sway our mission. But this year, I’ve made a choice—to stand firm and bold in what I believe.  

I’m excited to see my group continue to grow, and I can’t wait for all the meaningful and fun events ahead. Together, we’re pushing forward with one goal: to bring hope, to serve, and to end Planned Parenthood. 

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