Guest blog post by Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Hope Resource Center
(@AndrewHWood & @KnoxvilleHope)

I see you. I understand you. I respect you. Your work does not go unnoticed. We set aside one day a year to honor you, but this one day never does you justice. You are an American treasure…truly a beacon of light in this dark and broken world.

You are there for your child through it all. You are the one we run to when we are scared, hurt, afraid, or alone. You provide the shoulder to cry on when the world around us doesn’t make sense. You provide the discipline needed to keep us in line and the mercy and grace needed to bring us back in.

Your love is shown in countless ways. You have sacrificed so that we may achieve our hopes and dreams. You have gone hungry so that we may be full. You have worn rags so that we may be impressively clothed. You have stood in the shadows so that we may shine. You have lost sleep so that we may find rest.

Moms, you are truly not appreciated enough. You have faced untimely and unplanned situations and stood strong as you carried us in your womb. You have faced ridicule and shame from an unkind populous as society tells you what you can and cannot have. You have looked the neighbor in the eye to boldly proclaim that you can have your baby and your dreams!

You have proven so many wrong as you accomplished so much. You didn’t spend your time seeking accolades or approval. You, instead, calmly and gently became a mommy – a mommy that can be bold when her child is mistreated, comforting when her child is hurt, and thoughtful when her child is lost. You are the constant that we need and cherish.

The love we have for you is difficult to put into words. You have wiped our bottoms, cleaned our messes, and held our head when we could not hold it up any longer. We have gotten you sick, ruined your clothes, and destroyed your vehicle. This, however, didn’t change your love for us. Your sickness didn’t stop you from holding our hand, your ruined clothes didn’t stop you from attending our game or recital, and your destroyed vehicle never ended your constant chauffeuring.

Our neighborhoods, cities, towns, states, and country are better because you get up every day. We fail to tell you enough, but we love you. We appreciate your sacrificial and unconditional love for us. We are thankful God chose you out of every woman in the world to be our mom. I know we do not always show it or say it, but know that you are cherished yesterday, today, and forever. You are a gift from above and an undeserved blessing. We are not sure how or why God chose us to have you, but we are grateful to know He did!

From all of us here at HOPE and from every child that has been impacted, loved, and saved by you…Happy Mother’s Day!

>>>> Tune into the March for Life Instagram page on Wednesday for a guest takeover by Andrew and the Hope Resource Center team!

The post Moms, We Salute You appeared first on March For Life.

Guest Blog post by Callie Jett

Started by a group of birth moms in 1990, and established on the day before Mother’s Day, Birth Mother’s Day recognizes and honors the choice a woman has made to place her child with a loving family through adoption. As a birth mom of fourteen years myself, there’s no doubt that adoption is a choice that is difficult and selfless. We have made this choice out of love for our child, not out of abandonment. We place the needs of our child before our own wants or desires. Ultimately, birth moms have an amazing way of looking towards the future, and not so much at their past.

Birth Mother’s Day is becoming increasingly recognized as more women are choosing adoption and sharing their decision with others. Due to the evolution of adoption over the last two decades, a majority of domestic adoption agencies and attorneys now offer open adoption plans, and prospective birth parents are not only able to choose the parents who will raise their child, they are also able to continue a relationship with their birth child and his or her parents, unlike before. As open adoption continues to improve in the United States, it will become more common to hear of birth moms breastfeeding or pumping breast milk for their birth child, and those who are adopted visiting with their birth family on a daily basis.

Even with the option of open adoption today, Birth Mother’s Day still evokes many different emotions for birth moms across the nation – especially concerning those who placed their child through adoption around two decades ago, when most adoption plans were closed. On this day, may we not only recognize a birth mom’s decision of adoption, but also progress with the times and educate ourselves on the experiences of birth moms who have an open adoption relationship with their birth child and their birth child’s parents. These five points, below, will help you understand today’s birth moms better, and will also give you more confidence in talking to women who are abortion-determined about the option of open adoption. One thing is clear – No matter how difficult our decision was, you will never hear a birth mom say, “I wish I had an abortion.”

First, birth moms are grateful for the mothers – and overall the adoptive couples – who we have entrusted to become the forever family to our birth child. We understand the sacrifice we make when choosing adoption, but we also understand the sacrifice adoptive mothers have made. Adoptive mothers have not only opened their home, but they have opened their hearts… To love a child who did not grow inside of their belly. This is why biology is not necessarily the greatest thing that defines a family unit – Love is. Family is defined by the pure love that is given to a child; and with adoption, this love begins with the birth mom and continues throughout the child’s life with his or her adoptive family.

Second, when people use words such as “Give up” or “Give away” regarding a birth mom’s decision of adoption, it creates a misconception about the choice of adoption and adds to its stigma. Those words are equated with failure and bad decisions. A birth mom’s decision has nothing to do with giving up, but everything to do with giving life. In fact, giving should not be equated with “Giving away” or “Giving up.” Birth moms do not give up anything. When we chose adoption, we never gave up – we kept going and gave everything: Life, love and hope. Better words to describe a birth mom’s decision of adoption are: “Making an adoption plan,” “Choosing open adoption,” or “Placed for adoption.” Words matter. Especially in our modern society that scrutinizes how we say what we way.

Third, just because a birth mom grieves her decision of adoption, this does not mean she regrets her decision. And it certainly does not mean she is going to “take back her child.” Birth moms who do grieve their decision of adoption, all grieve in different ways and for different lengths of time. And that is okay. Grief is a natural emotion and coping mechanism. I heard a wonderful statement recently: “Grief isn’t scary, wrong or untrue. Grief is a natural form of missing you.”

Fourth, birth moms do not fit into a stereotypical mold, and we are not what the mainstream media has portrayed us to be. Birth moms make up all different ages, races, and status quo; some just talk about their decision more than others. Interestingly enough, “Jane Roe,” of the Roe vs. Wade case that legalized abortion in the U.S., never had an abortion and is a birth mom herself; though, the media still neglects to speak about her decision of adoption.

Furthermore, women choose adoption for many different reasons – From financial hardships to simply wanting their child to have a father. And despite popular belief, not all birth moms were abortion-determined before choosing adoption. For many birth moms, adoption and parenting were the only two options in consideration when they faced their unexpected pregnancy. In addition, not all birth moms were teenagers at the time of their pregnancy. Many birth moms who place today are actually older in age and may have one or more children who they parent aside from the child they are placing. Either way, all birth moms share one thing in common: We love our child.

Fifth, and lastly, birth moms want an open, healthy relationship with their birth child and their parents. Again, we do not “abandon” our child when we choose adoption. In fact, it is important for birth moms to have a healthy relationship with the birth child and with the birth child’s parents. And when adoptive parents honor the birth parents, they are honoring the child. They understand that when the birth parents are not honored for their decision of adoption, the child is at risk of believing that something is inherently wrong with them. As healthy relationships are established and boundaries are set between birth parents and adoptive parents, more adopted children are growing to understand that he or she was placed with another family through a decision that required a selfless sacrifice.

Understanding birth moms today will help us to better serve women who are abortion-determined and who are not in a position to parent their child. Even though less than two percent of women facing an unplanned pregnancy will choose adoption for their baby – while four out of ten pregnancies in the U.S. end in abortion – these trends will change when we continue to talk about adoption accurately, and as more birth moms begin to serve in their communities and share their decision of adoption with others.

As a birth mom, it’s devastating to witness mothers walking into abortion centers unaware of the choices of adoption. On Birth Mother’s Day, let’s reclaim what choice really means. Birth mothers are brave, bold and beautiful. We have a powerful story to tell. It’s one of uniqueness, and a story that will help abortion-determined women choose life – Whether these women choose to place or to parent. When an abortion-determined woman sees two wonderful options of life in front of her – between Parenting or Open Adoption – she will be more likely to choose from one of those options over abortion. Adoption truly is a difficult decision that becomes an easy blessing for everyone involved… Because our decision will always be worth our child’s life.

*The above information does not concern state-initiated adoptions in child neglect, dependency, abuse cases, etc.

Facing an unplanned pregnancy? There is hope for you and your baby! And there are birth moms in your area that would love to speak with you! Simply contact us at talkaboutadoption@gmail.com!

About the Author:

Callie Jett is a birth mom of fourteen years and the Founder of Talk About Adoption™. Faced with an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager, and pressured to choose abortion, Callie chose life for her birth son through the option of open adoption. After placing her son for adoption, she went on to marry, completed Graduate School, and worked as a Child Protective Service Social Worker before having children of her own. Callie describes abortion as the biggest threat to adoption. Her passion is to shine a light on open adoption as a wonderful option for women faced with an unexpected pregnancy while encouraging other birth moms to serve in their communities and share their experiences with adoption. Callie travels around the U.S. sharing her story of adoption, how to introduce the option of adoption to mothers who are abortion-determined, and how adoption continues to evolve into a beautiful option for women who find themselves unable to parent.

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“The March for Life congratulates the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the American Healthcare Act and for reaffirming their commitment to life. Abortion is not healthcare, and in light of that – this bill provides Hyde-like protections and redirects funding away from our America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, to community health centers that offer comprehensive women’s care, and already outnumber Planned Parenthood clinics by 20 to 1. This decision re-baselines our understanding that medical services should reflect the pro-life consensus in America that abortion is not healthcare and that taxpayer funding should not pay for abortion. As this bill moves to the Senate, we urge our U.S. Senators to follow the House’s lead and ensure that pro-life protections and the redirection of Planned Parenthood funding remain, because without it — this bill will fail.”

– Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President

The post March for Life Statement on House Healthcare Vote appeared first on March For Life.

“It is hard to believe that abortion is ‘kind of a fading issue’ when the Democratic party took such a radical stance on it in their 2016 presidential election platform. In doing so, the party not only stepped out of line with mainstream America, but alienated many pro-life Democrats and Independents – a significant portion of their base. Abortion is both a human rights issue and a social justice issue that is as prominent as ever, and the Democratic party would be well served to re-think their extreme position.”

– Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President

The post Jeanne Mancini Statement on Pelosi’s Abortion Comments appeared first on March For Life.

March for Life President Jeanne Mancini had an op-ed published in Townhall.com entitled, “Pro-Life Progress During Trump’s First 100 Days.”

Much has been accomplished in a little over three months and we are grateful that President Trump has been a man of his word. However, there is still more work to be done. Over these next 100 days, we encourage the President and Congress to work together to pass healthcare that codifies the Hyde Amendment and redirects Planned Parenthood funding, to quickly fill the over 127 federal judicial and key personnel vacancies, and to sign into a law a ban on five month abortions (the pain-capable unborn child protection act) – a bill that reflects the 74% of Americans who wish to limit abortion to the first three months of pregnancy.

Click HERE to read the full op-ed.

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Your voice is urgently needed to support pro-life appointments in the Trump Administration!

Last week, President Trump appointed two pro-life advocates to key positions in the Department of Health and Human Services – Dr. Charmaine Yoest as Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Teresa Manning as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Population Affairs. Both Charmaine and Teresa have worked tirelessly for pro-life and pro-woman policies their entire careers, and now pro-abortion activists are protesting their appointments and pressuring the White House to rescind them.

It’s critical that pro-life Americans raise their voices in support of the appointments of Yoest and Manning.

Send a message to President Trump and Secretary Price thanking them for the appointments of Yoest and Manning to HHS.

In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, many pro-life policy successes have been achieved. Check out March for Life President Jeanne Mancini’s op-ed in Townhall, “Pro-Life Progress During Trump’s First 100 Days.”  However, there’s still much work to be done – and your voice is needed!

Urgent support for Yoest and Manning are needed as pro-abortion activists seek to derail these appointments.

Take Action NOW by sending an important message to President Trump and Secretary Price!

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“Tonight, as part of its 100^th anniversary year-long commemoration, Planned Parenthood will award Secretary Hillary Clinton a “Champion of the Century” award. The 100^th  year-long anniversary dates back to the 1916 opening of Margaret Sanger’s first clinic in New York City. Originally known as the American Birth Control League and renamed Planned Parenthood in 1942, the organization has evolved into a billion-dollar business and the single largest provider of abortions in the United States – performing over 320,000 abortions annually.

“Since 1973, over 58 million Americans have been lost to abortion, and approximately a third of those have been at the hands of Planned Parenthood. Abortion is profoundly anti-woman, and while some will celebrate Secretary Clinton’s achievement award tonight, we instead grieve the fact that approximately one-sixth of our nation is not with us today because of the very work of Planned Parenthood.

The 100^th anniversary of our nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is a somber reminder of the work we have ahead of us in building a culture of life. We also use this year-long anniversary to redouble our educational efforts to show the attractive and empowering truth that being pro-life is pro-woman, and, unlike Margaret Sanger, we know that each person – regardless of race, special needs, or “being planned” – has inherent dignity from the moment of conception.”

– Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President

The post March for Life Statement on Planned Parenthood’s 100th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on March For Life.

Over the weekend, March for Life President Jeanne Mancini had an op-ed published in The Hill entitled, “Democratic leaders hurt their own party by ousting pro-life voters.” 

The March for Life has a 44-year track record of inclusivity. Each year, thousands of people across all state, cultural and party lines travel from every corner of this country to march side by side, shoulder to shoulder, down the streets of our nation’s capital for the protection and dignity of human life. For those few, frigid miles, we march not only as individuals from different backgrounds, but as a pro-life community united in our purpose to defend the inherent dignity of all human life.

Click HERE to read the entire op-ed.

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One week after the Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, pro-life America marched in our nation’s capital to remember the 58 million Americans lost to abortion since 1973, and to continue the effort to build a culture of life in this country!

The White House showed unprecedented support for the March for Life by sending Kellyanne Conway, senior counselor to the President, and longtime pro-life hero, Vice President Mike Pence – the highest-ranking White House official ever to address the March for Life!

With this enthusiasm, the 44th March for Life was one of the most powerful and impactful marches ever, further solidifying our commitment to ending abortion in our lifetime.

>>>> Watch a recap of the March for Life with the remarks of Vice President Pence: 

Since the March for Life in January, participants, and supporters across the country have continued to build a culture of life by advocating for pro-life policies under the new Congress and Administration.

Thank you for making your voice heard!

It is hard to believe that we are now at the “100 Day” mark for the new Administration. In a short period of time, we’ve seen many positive pro-life policy decisions. The Obama Administration is considered to be the most pro-abortion presidency ever, possibly only to have been outdone by presidential candidate and abortion champion Hillary Clinton had she won in November. (Clinton is set to receive Planned Parenthood’s “champion of the century” award next week.)

We are grateful for the pro-life policy decisions in the first 100 Days, including:

• Unprecedented support for the 2017 March for Life, sending the Vice President to speak to marchers;
• Strong pro-life appointments to key leadership roles including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, HHS Secretary Tom Price, and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley;
• Reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, prohibiting U.S. funding of abortion providers overseas;
• Defunding of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a participant in China’s one-child policy;
• Enactment of the Congressional Review Act (H.J. Res 43) to allow individual states the ability to redirect Title X funding away from abortion providers like Planned Parenthood;
• Nomination and confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The pro-abortion lobby is reeling from the election losses in November and the enactment of pro-life policies. They protested the nomination of Neil Gorsuch, despite his impeccable education, experience, and previous bipartisan support. With reports of a possible Supreme Court Justice retirement later this year, we can be sure to expect an intense battle like we haven’t previously witnessed.

At the March for Life, we are working tirelessly for pro-life policies — like preventing tax dollars from pouring into Planned Parenthood — and continuing to strive to build a culture of life year-round.

It has been quite a busy 100 days, for the new Administration and the March for Life! Changing our culture and our laws for life is a year-round effort and we are honored to partner with you in this life-saving work.

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