The Students for Life team countered Women’s Marches nationwide on October 2nd. Unfortunately, an unprecedented amount of violence was directed towards us and the students we serve… but it wasn’t all bad. Despite a heavy load of negativity, we’re happy to report a few mamas helped and even some minds changed about abortion.

Amidst Chaos, Three Pregnant Women Helped

At two different Women’s March locations, in the middle of the counter-protesting chaos, our team was actually able to help at least three pregnant women by offering them real help with their pregnancy and parenting journeys.

In Allentown, Pennsylvania

In Indianapolis, Indiana

At the Women’s March in Indiana’s capital, SFLA Regional Coordinator Mary Carmen Zakrajsek was also able to help a mother in need. She shared:

“When we were marching in Indianapolis, we saw a homeless woman who had a sign saying she was pregnant! We gave her Standing With You supportive resources we had on hand and I told her the number to call!”

Even at unexpected events, the Students for Life team and students are always ready to assist women in need by guiding them to actual help. After all, abortion doesn’t solve any of the problems that leads a mother to Planned Parenthood’s doorstep. It doesn’t find her a job, get her out of an abusive situation, give her more money in the checking account, or improve her living situation. Community support can do those things – without pitting her against her child.

Changing Minds in Unlikely Places

Some members of the Students for Life protesters in Phoenix managed to change a very unlikely mind about abortion. Amongst the Women’s Marchers, a young woman was shouting over a bullhorn in support of abortion. A few of the Students for Life crew approached and chatted with her for about 20 minutes, and she ended up completely changing her mind about abortion. 

A little ways north in Bellingham, Washington, a slightly smaller heart change took place. The sister of one of our team members spent time conversing with a Women’s Marcher who supported abortion up until the moment of birth (an extremely radical stance). After hearing more about fetal development and the philosophy behind why humans are valuable at every age, she “re-drew” her line of support to end at viability, which is around 21 weeks. Convincing a stranger at a pro-abortion event to go from supporting due date abortions to cutting that support timeline in half isn’t a full victory – but it’s a great start.

Students for Life are not strangers to changing minds about abortion. During the 2020-2021 school year, our team reported just shy of 1,500 minds changed about abortion. Since March 2021, as part of our Campaign for Abortion Free Cities, volunteers and team members have changed 305 minds.

Last October, SFLA had 17,180 online conversations and a conversion (mind changed) rate of 19% through Digital Conversion Quizzes geared towards changing public perception on Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The following month, there were 99,440 minds changed and an average conversion rate of 19.6% during the entire digital campaign leading up to the November election. Needless to say… we’re in it to win it.