Reagan Pullium, one of the National Leaders Collective’ leaders of the month, is a Students for Life of America, Thaddeus Stevens Fellow attending St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more about Pullium’s activism below. 

I was introduced to the pro-life movement when I was 13 years old. I joined the pro-life group at my school as a young seventh grader, and was instantly invested in the work of the movement. As a Catholic, I was raised in support of the pro-life cause, but it was not until I became involved in my school’s group that I discovered that God was calling me to serve in the movement. As I learned about the horrors of abortion and the struggles that women face that lead them to choose death over life through attending marches, listening to speakers, and researching the movement, I knew advocating for the unborn and for support of vulnerable women would be a foundational cause in my political activism. A quote that has really has stuck with me as I have grown in the movement is the words of William Wilberforce, “Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me.” I love this quote and it continues to motivate me.  

The first leadership position that I obtained as a pro-life advocate was Middle School President of my school’s pro-life club. In eighth grade, I went to the National Pro-Life March as one of two middle schoolers who fought for the opportunity to go with high school students to the march! At the end of my freshman year, I was elected club president, but ended up leaving that position by transferring schools. At my new school, I was head of communications sophomore year for Respect Life club, vice-president my junior year, and president my senior year. During my junior year, I saw Students for Life post an advertisement for their fellowship programs. I researched for more information, and applied for a fellowship! I knew that participating would give me the leadership skills and foundational knowledge to more effectively spread the Pro-Life message in my community. I am currently a Thaddeus Stevens Fellow, and I am so grateful to be part of this program! I have met amazing pro-life friends through the fellowship like Madonna, Charlotte, Elise, Thomas, Ryan, and Danny who all motivate and inspire me to work harder to advance the mission of the movement! 

With October being Respect Life month, I, along with my group, have been very active! We organized and led a diaper drive for Haven of Grade, a local Pregnancy Resource Center, and Cardinal Glennon, a non-profit pediatric hospital. I designed flyers and posters for the drive that were used by 12 volunteers every morning, standing outside with the signs to remind members of the community to donate. I also made several announcements at assemblies, in school newsletters, and reached out to alumna to encourage past classes to donate. We collected over 5,000 diapers and 50 bottles of diaper cream! Second, my group hosted a Respect Life bake sale. We raised over $500 which will be used to host speakers, fund fun activities for the group, and for the National March in January. Finally, at our monthly club meeting, our regional coordinator, Morgan Tiemeyer, came to speak to the group on the topic “All Life Has Value.” October has been an exciting and busy month for the movement within my community!

Being a Students for Life Thaddeus Stevens fellow has been one of the most rewarding involvements of my work in the Pro-Life movement. Everyone at SFLA motivates and uplifts one another to create transformative change to promote a culture of life, and I feel so blessed to have a role in that community.