Chapter Profile: Corvallis Right to Life

Real Education in a College Town

By Holly Miller, NRL Field Coordinator

Washington and Oregon share many of the same political stereotypes. The two states are very similar in that they are two of the most unchurched states in the nation and the ideological divide between conservatives and liberals closely matches the topographical dividers in each state.

In general, as in most states, the big cities and college towns are teeming with those lacking respect for human life. So, how does a chapter operating in a city, college town, or any hostile environment get its message out?

In last month's issue, how HUMAN LIFE of Seattle effectively promotes the right to life in an unreceptive environment was examined. This month, another type of community resistant to a culture of life -- the college town -- takes front stage.

Corvallis, Oregon, is the hometown of Oregon State University. This is not the type of community where people routinely attend pro-life potlucks and/or where public displays are effective, according to Corvallis Right to Life (CRL) Chapter Chair Paul Harmon. Thus, since people do not usually approach CRL, CRL has to reach out to the community with carefully tailored messages and projects to make the biggest impact on its audience.

Mr. Harmon and his group recognize that their audience is primarily young and is initially hostile to a pro-life message. These are the young women and men of the post-abortive generation by virtue of being born after January 22, 1973. These are women, many of whom either have had abortions or know friends who have aborted their babies. And these are men who have paid for abortions or had their sons or daughters aborted without having a say in the matter.

Corvallis Right to Life has wisely chosen to emphasize the truth regarding the development of the unborn child and the harms of abortion. This is designed to appeal to the pregnant mother by encouraging her to do what is right and generating enthusiasm for motherhood.

CRL runs radio ads on the local Christian station four times each year. One of the more memorable ads had babies giggling and goo-ing in the background as the announcer makes a positive statement promoting life. The chapter received very favorable feedback; people remember the ad with the laughing babies.

Several ads feature clips of mothers discussing their favorite things about being moms. Having mothers talk about their children is a brilliant way of promoting the right to life in a subtle way.

CRL also sponsors billboards and other advertising for " www.StandUpGirl.com." StandUp Girl.com is a web site developed by Oregon Right to Life and Mr. Harmon that appeals to young women.

Simple but professionally developed ads, like the one that accompanies this article, grab the attention of young women and spark their curiosity. Since the name is easy to remember, more women are likely to log on and then browse around on this " outpost for the inmost."

When women do log onto the site, they are greeted by a video of " Becky's Story" about a young woman who faced a crisis pregnancy. She explains the emotions she experienced and why she stood up against the pressure to abort and carried her child to term. Her powerful story has led other women to stand up and share their own.

Women can share their stories of unintended pregnancies, their decision, and the outcomes. It is heart wrenching to read the stories of women who continue to suffer years after their abortions.

And it is heartening to read the accounts of women who carried their babies to term and rejoice in their decisions. Surely these firsthand accounts have influenced women who might have been considering abortions themselves.

The web site has plenty of information, including "The Inside Story" with "a glimpse into the cool world within the womb via 3-D ultrasound and color e-scopy video" and quick facts about fetal development and abortion. The simple message is that "You are not alone." It is amazing how those four words can change the way a scared mother views her crisis pregnancy.

The chapter also maintains its own web site, www.proaxis.com/~pharmon/crtl/ , as an educational tool. Examples of its billboards, radio commercials, and editorials to the local paper can be found on the site.

By focusing on radio spots that present the goodness of life and publicizing a pro-life web site intended for young women, Corvallis Right to Life has presented the pro-life message in a loving, accessible format to a audience that is not usually initially supportive. In so doing, young women will stand up and choose life and the community at large will be more supportive of motherhood and all the good it brings.

Corvallis Right to Life serves as a great example of what chapters can accomplish despite advocating to a tough crowd. But its approach to promoting life will be effective in any community. Hopefully, CRL's model will help your chapter find new and creative ways to reach your community.