"Beginning At Home ..."

By Anne Hermann
Volunteer Identification Program Director

The year 2001 is already into its second month!! While we have all expected in the waning months of the year 2000 that significant changes were ahead, little did we know exactly what some of those changes might be!

For myself, I would have never expected that Felicia Goeken, my mother, consultant, and, confidant, would pass away on Christmas Eve.

The Volunteer Identification Program (VIP) was near and dear to Felicia's heart. She first began working on the VIP in 1977. For 16 years as I worked beside her and learned the "ropes" of the VIP I never for a moment doubted the importance of the program.

Along with the thousands of other NRL News readers, over the years I've been inspired and encouraged by Felicia's folksy, motivational, down-to-earth articles. By responding to the NRL News VIP columns, thousands and thousands of pro-life individuals showed their willingness to make phone calls, look up phone numbers, organize their communities, and do whatever it takes to stop the killing of innocent unborn children.

Just this past week I received a call from a woman who volunteered to do anything she could to stop the killing. She noted that she had read the last VIP column about Felicia's death and expressed her sympathies.

Then she stated, "I'm just an old lady, but then again, so was your mother." A smile came over my face and I knew that Felicia's life's work was continuing to inspire others. Mamma would have enjoyed that phone call, just as I did.

Volunteers from all over the country have contacted the VIP office in the past several weeks. We have had inquiries and requests to help out from pro-life people in Rhode Island, Kentucky, Illinois, California, and many states in between. I think I understand why.

Now is the time for change. We have a new pro-life administration in Washington. The pro-life movement is alive and well and growing, and now more than ever we must come together to continue growing so that we may carry on the saintly work of those who came before us.

We must stand together that the pro-life work the founders of the pro-life movement began and sustained for over 25 years might continue full force. To do so we must reach out to the generation of youth who have survived a lifetime of legalized abortion on demand.

I have begun at home, educating my own children (third generation pro-lifers), just as my mother did 29 years before. I can think of no higher tribute to Felicia, and all of those who have dedicated so many years of their lives working to end abortion, than to assure them that we will walk in their footsteps.