Mataya Watson, one of the National Leaders Collective’s (NLC) leaders of the month, is a Students for Life of America (SFLA), Christian Leadership Fellow attending Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN. Learn more about Watson’s activism below. 

I am involved in the pro-life movement because I recognize the intrinsic value of each and every person made in the image of God. I find a constant reminder for why I fight in my youngest brother, who was born two months after Roe v Wade was overturned. He is such a light, and I cannot help but stand for the classmates he might’ve had, lost to the violence of abortion. 

This is my first year as an NLC leader, and I am proud to be part of the Christian Leadership Fellows. Through CLF, I have found my place and have learned so much about how to act as a humble leader walking in the footsteps of Christ. 

November was quite a busy month for Saints for Life. We brought in not only the Students for Life Tabling Event “Am I Pro-Life?” but also hosted the Cemetery of the Innocents. This display is a personal favorite of mine, especially in the month of the Holy Souls. It serves as a bold witness to passersby that the lives lost to abortion are more than mere statistics, and always sparks good conversation in the days after. At our tabling event, we had thirty conversations and changed three minds. My proudest achievement from this past month was installing our expectant mom parking signs! This was the first of two projects we’re working on to leave a lasting impact on our campus. A relatively easy process, thanks to the amazing staff at our school, I met with the Director of Facilities and the head of security in September after a few back-and-forth emails. Once the idea had been approved, I was tasked with designing a sign and sending the link to our business office for purchase. In late October, the signs were ordered (paid for by the school!) and placed in the ground by early November. With maroon and white colors, this sign shows visitors and students alike that Holy Cross College is proudly pro-life.   

More than an opportunity to network, the National Leadership Collective has given me friendships that will last a lifetime, experiences that have helped me grow, and challenges that have molded me into a better apologist to defend the unborn. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and am eager to keep growing as a steward of all the gifts God has given me.