Darrison Haftarczyk, one of the National Leaders Collective’s (NLC) leaders of the month, is a member of the William Wilberforce Fellowship attending the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Learn more about Haftarczyk’s activism, in her own words, below.  

My name is Darrison Haftarczyk. I am a survivor and a William Wilberforce Fellow at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  

I like to say that being pro-life saved my life.   

Years of abuse ended with a simple statement of “no”–not because I had “said it enough times” or because I was finally “clear enough with my words”–but because I refused to get an abortion if I were to become pregnant. From this moment, the fire of my convictions grew deeper inside me as I attended meetings, protests, and one day found myself as the president of the Students for Life of America (SFLA) group at my college. I was determined to show women like me that there was something much better than the perpetuating violence of abortion.   

Together with my executive team and Let Them Live, we have had the beautiful opportunity this year to walk alongside a mom facing a crisis pregnancy. We have worked to raise money for baby supplies and our mom’s upcoming rent payments to provide her and her family with security and hope. So far, we have raised $599.80 and counting through bake sales, art commissions, and an upcoming car wash. 

We have also rallied alongside local churches to provide community-wide support as we continue our fundraiser, with a goal of $5,000 over the summer. Through tabling, chalking, and a persistent willingness to discuss with our pro-choice peers, we worked to educate 426 students– surpassing our goal by about 100 interactions–on what it means to be pro-life and resources for women on campus.  

Due to our efforts, the pro-life perspective is gaining traction on campus. Our group has even been interviewed for student projects and papers. To further reach the campus community, my team has had the goal of getting our Standing With You (SWY) resources in the school’s wellness center and in the Haven, a safe space for students who have faced sexual assault. So far, we have been in contact with the Haven’s staff coordinator on how best to advertise resources, and we hope to continue these conversations into the new semester.  

When I was young, my grandmother used to tell me a story about a little boy who would throw starfish one by one back into the sea. Seeing the thousands of starfish lying on the beach in danger of drying out, an older man challenged the boy and questioned the boy’s impact. “You can’t save them all. Your work doesn’t matter.” The boy simply replied, “It matters to this one.”   

As I’ve matured, I am often reminded of this story in my pro-life work, as at times it can seem like a never-ending stream of violence against women and children due to the abortion industry. But every conversation, dollar raised, minute spent planning, and hour spent fighting for Life can plant a seed, change a heart, and even open eyes to the integrity of all human life. Women like me and children everywhere are worth fighting for, and I plan to continue my pro-life work into the future as I enter the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I’m looking forward to all the future holds with my career and the pro-life movement! 

READ NEXT: Students for Life of America Alumni Highlight: Cristina Flores