Congressman Mike Pence, who is in the middle of a battle to revoke the federal taxpayer funding of the nation’s biggest abortion business, will headline an event tonight for a national pro-life women’s group.
Tonight, the Susan B. Anthony List will host its fourth annual Campaign for Life Gala at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., and the Indiana congressman, who recently said he would not run for the Republican nomination for president, will keynote the event.
SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser told LifeNews.com this morning that the pro-life movement has experienced several victories recently and expects more as Pence moves forward with his amendment this week to remove all federal taxpayer funding from Planned Parenthood.
“Pro-life America has won tremendous victories over the past several months and is hungry for more results,” Dannenfelser said. “Together, the SBA List and pro-life grassroots America increased the number of pro-life women in the House by 70 percent, filled the void of pro-life women in the U.S. Senate, increased the number of pro-life women governors from one to four and saw 15 out of 20 traitors to the pro-life movement see the consequences of their votes.”
“Many important legislative battles are already upon us – like the fight to defund Planned Parenthood – and others still lie ahead. As we look to 2012 races that will determine the course of this country, the SBA List and the powerful grassroots movement will, again, channel critical funds to wage election-altering campaigns on behalf of pro-life leaders,” she said. “We’ll also fight to protect women, the unborn and the consciences of taxpayers and medical professionals. Our efforts, combined with the commitment from House leadership, will gain ground in the battles being waged in the halls of Congress.”
Last May, pro-life former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin headlined the Susan B. Anthony List event and pro-life former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty headlined one before that.
During the event, Rep. Virginia Foxx, a pro-life Republican congresswoman from North Carolina, will receive the Susan B. Anthony List Distinguished Leader Award.
“As it looks to its future, the pro-life movement needs more women like Virginia Foxx,” said Dannenfelser.
“Inspirational leadership like hers is an invaluable example to the next generation of women. Virginia Foxx has earned a reputation for her tenacity and her passions as an outspoken advocate for women and unborn children. She currently serves on the powerful House Committees on Rules, a gatekeeper for pro-life legislation and has been a vocal pro-life advocate throughout her career,” the SBA List president said. “In her time in Congress, she has co-sponsored critical life-saving legislation including the ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,’ the ‘Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act,’ the ‘Sanctity of Human Life Act,’ the ‘Child Custody Protection Act’ and the ‘Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.’ The Susan B. Anthony List is proud to honor Rep. Virginia Foxx for her record of leadership for Life.”
Four young pro-life women leaders will be honored with the Susan B. Anthony Young Leader Award.
Florida State Rep. Rachel Burgin, who represents Florida’s 56th district and has been involved in crafting the legislative agenda that would change Florida statute to reflect the value of human life, will receive it. She has championed pro-ultrasound legislation and implementing a 24-hour waiting period on abortion.
Catherine Foster is a law clerk on the Alliance Defense Fund’s Life team. While at Georgetown Law, Catherine founded Advocates for Life, the school’s first association for pro-life law students, and continues to serve as its president. She has served as editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Law Weekly and used this platform to promote Life on campus.
Chelsea A. Rearick is the Executive Director of Life Choices, a pregnancy resource center in Western Pennsylvania. Since joining the clinic in 2009, Chelsea has successfully undertaken a ground-breaking fundraising drive to include free ultrasounds for abortion-minded women. Chelsea raised more than $200,000 and plans to continue the expansion of services with hopes of opening additional satellite locations.
And Sarah Makin serves as Policy Advisor and Coalitions Liaison for the House Republican Conference under current Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). She has held this position since 2009, when she joined the staff of former Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN). Sarah has also served as Professional Staff Member for the House Republican Study Committee under then-Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Legislative Aide to Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA). Additionally, Sarah’s research in the field of neurobiology has been published in the Journal of Child Neurology.
