April 27, 2010

By Liz Townsend

Part Two discusses what real presidential eloquence consists of. In Part Three David Prentice celebrates the Vatican's investment in adult stem cell. Be sure to send all your much-desired comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com, and be sure to read "National Right to Life News Today" (www.nationalrighttolifenews.org).

The nascent pro-lifers working out of Margie Montgomery's basement in Louisville in 1970 had no idea they would still be fighting for the right to life 40 years later. But although their mission has taken longer than they hoped, their pro-life spirit has grown into a thriving affiliate, a strong state group, and continuing work to protect the most vulnerable Americans.

Right to Life of Louisville celebrated its 40th anniversary at the annual Celebration of Life Banquet April 16. Montgomery shared her recollections about the group's early days, which began when "a small band of pro-death advocates" tried to make abortion legal in Kentucky. After writing a letter of protest, she was invited to speak on television, and received responses from others who shared her convictions.

The small group then began their work to prevent any changes in Kentucky's law. "We began gathering all available materials to educate citizens, we testified at hearings in Frankfort, began speaking at various churches, and selected a board of directors composed of folks from various faiths and disciplines," Montgomery said. "We exuded enthusiasm and hope--we would win!"

They collected as many educational materials as possible and shared their message in different forums. They spoke to audiences in schools, churches, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and more.

However, their mission changed suddenly on January 22, 1973, when the Supreme Court overturned all protective state statutes and made abortion the law of the land. Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRLA), National Right to Life's Kentucky affiliate, began soon after the Court ruling, and Right to Life of Louisville has worked closely with the state organization throughout the years to protect as many unborn babies as they could.

At first, Montgomery was hopeful that the abomination of legal abortion would last only a short time. "I really thought it would be over by 1978 or 1979," she told NRL News. "I thought more doctors, nurses, and lawyers would protest."

But the length of time it has taken has not dimmed Montgomery's or Right to Life of Louisville's determination. The group moved from Montgomery's basement to several different locations until they found a permanent home in Louisville along with KRLA, KRLA PAC, and the Right to Life Educational Foundation of Kentucky.

Now the educational materials collected over the years is displayed in a central location and can be borrowed. Videotapes and DVDs now join the early pamphlets and fetal models, and the subjects range from abortion to euthanasia to stem cell research. Volunteers have staffed a booth at the state fair since 1974 to bring the truth to a wide audience.

Kentucky pro-lifers have also focused on the legislative side of the issue. Montgomery, who now serves as KRLA executive director, said that they have been able to ban state funding and the use of state facilities for abortion, require insurance plans to collect separate premiums for abortion coverage, and institute parental consent and women's right to know laws, to name just a few.

Right to Life of Louisville also works to help women facing crisis pregnancies, helping to establish Birthright of Louisville in 1974 and featuring a toll-free hotline number on television ads that they raise funds to air twice a year.

There are currently 17 active affiliates in Kentucky, and Montgomery said the future for the pro-life movement in the state looks very bright. Many young people are involved in local events and in the annual bus trip to the national March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Montgomery said she is grateful for the work of pro-lifers throughout the years who have stayed strong and kept up the fight, "You are a vital part of Right to Life of Louisville," she told attendees at the Celebration of Life Banquet. "We could not do it without you or without the inspiration and protection of the Lord of all Life. Let us pray for one another and for the protection of all life--the unborn, the disabled, and the aged."

Be sure to send your thoughts and comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com and read National Right to Life News Today at www.nationalrighttolifenews.org.

Part Two
Part Three