Danise Rees, one of the National Leaders Collective’s (NLC) leaders of the month, is a Students for Life of America (SFLA) William Wilberforce Fellow attending Arizona State University (ASU) in Arizona. Learn more about Rees’s activism below.  

My involvement in the pro-life movement was spurred by my desire to heal our culture by restoring a deep respect for the humanity of every human life. The abortion industry specifically targets young people and wants them to believe that abortion is a necessary good, which makes it even more vital for me to take a stand. Many of my peers have been directly or indirectly affected by abortion, and I want to be a voice of compassion, truth, and hope. By engaging in this movement now, I can connect with those around me, support those hurt, and encourage a culture where life is protected and cherished at every stage.  

My pro-life beliefs began in high school when I discovered the truth about abortion and the abortion industry. When starting college, I gravitated toward my school’s pro-life club for an opportunity to table and debate students on the issue. Through that experience, I discovered that those who support abortion often do so to show concern for women facing unplanned pregnancies. This led me to learn how to communicate how it is possible to care for women while simultaneously humanizing their preborn children.   

Not long after, I had the opportunity to become the ASU Chapter President. My first year as president challenged me to build administration skills such as event organizing, advertisement, and task delegation. Then, I decided to apply for the William Wilberforce Fellowship to receive the resources and support I could receive to help lead my group during my senior year.   

During the year in the fellowship, I have:  

• Hosted the Campus tour on the ASU campus and joined the NAU and UofA tours. I reached over 400 students to discuss the dangers of Arizona’s Prop 139.   

• Participated in the Mesa, Arizona, door-knocking deployment. Over one weekend, I knocked on over 100 doors to share literature on Prop 139.   

• Organized a diaper drive for a local pregnancy resource center, acquiring 2,424 diapers and 72 bags of baby wipes.  

My experience in the program developed valuable leadership skills, allowing me to build momentum within my group and ensure a smooth leadership transition after I graduate. Not only has the fellowship strengthened my pro-life presence at ASU, but it has also shaped me into a more confident and capable leader—growth that will benefit me in both my future career and personal endeavors.  

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