Meet Our 2013 Academy Student!

North Carolina Right to Life is pleased to announce the 2013 Scholarship for Life recipient. William Moore is a rising senior at Guilford College, where he's majoring in Political Science with U.S. History and Economics minors. He is also the Guilford College Republicans chair and is an active leader of Guilford's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

As a scholarship recipient, Will's room and tuition at the National Right to Life Academy will be fully covered, but he is currently fundraising to help with the expenses not paid for by the scholarship, such as travel costs and food. 

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help Will with his expenses, please make a check to North Carolina Right to Life Education Fund with "William Moore" on the memo line. Mail checks to 

NCRTL

P.O. Box 9282

Greensboro, NC 27429-0282

Thank you for your support! The Right to Life Academy is a wonderful opportunity for college students interested in furthering their pro-life education.

"Safe" Abortions?

As news of the Kermit Gosnell trial creeps into headlines, more people are becoming aware that abortion may not be as straightforward a procedure as its proponents like to make us believe. Abortion is a deadly practice; it results in a dead baby almost every time. Abortion is responsible for more than the death of the unborn child, however. How many mothers have died as a direct result of an abortion?

While estimates place the number of adult victims of abortion in the hundreds, it is very difficult to know for sure. Hospitals list the complication (for example, hemorrhage) as the cause of death rather than the abortion. In addition, many women die because they never tell their loved ones that the reason for their distress is abortion. By the time she seeks medical help, it is too late. We may never know all the women who are victims of their “choice,” women who were told that abortion is “safer than childbirth.”

Most medical procedures come with risks, but typically doctors are required to inform their patients about every aspect of the surgery. Abortion facilities, however, are often under-regulated and in many cases not required to describe the long term risks and other important health aspects of the abortion procedure.

Although the Gosnell clinic might be an extreme example, the practices there show just how inhumane, unsanitary, and disgusting the abortion practices can be. According to Gosnell’s staff, the abortionist used unsterilized utensils and did not dispose of the remains properly, creating unsanitary conditions for surgery. This, along with his grossly undertrained staff, led to the deaths of Semika Shaw and Karnamaya Mongar. Shaw died from infections after her cervix and uterus were perforated during the abortion procedure; Mongar died after an overdose of anesthesia.

Shaw and Mongar are the victims of late term surgical abortions, but even the chemical abortions, which take place within the first 7 weeks of pregnancy, are dangerous and sometimes fatal for the mother. According to a study in Australia, 5.7 percent of women who had chemical abortions were admitted to the hospital for treatment of complications, while 0.4 percent of surgical abortion patients did so.  A chemical abortion takes place over several days; the mother first takes the RU-486 pill, which causes the lining of the uterus to deteriorate and the baby to starve to death. After 48 hours, the mother then takes a second pill containing prostaglandins, which begins labor.

The women who opt for a chemical abortion are often unaware of the side effects and complications involved. Even though they take the pills in the abortion clinic, the labor, delivery, and any side effects take place at home without medical supervision. These women often experience extreme cramping, heavy and prolonged bleeding, nausea, and pain. Chemical abortions also leave psychological scars on their victims; many women believe they are delivering a “clump of cells” and are unprepared to see the tiny body of their baby.

One of the more famous victims of RU-486 is Holly Patterson. In 2003, the 17 year old took the abortion pills without her family’s knowledge. For several days, she suffered from severe cramps, bleeding, and nausea; when she consulted with the clinic, they told her it was normal and gave her painkillers. Four days after the abortion, Patterson’s stunned father watched his daughter die from what he later learned was a toxic shock infection. Since then, at least 11 other women have suffered the same death, while others have been hospitalized for hemorrhages.

Thankfully, organizations like North Carolina Right to Life and the other state affiliates of National Right to Life work hard to ensure that pro-life legislation is passed to prevent tragedies like these from happening. In North Carolina, one of the current pieces of legislation, S308—Amend the Woman’s Right to Know, would require that the physician be physically present to administer the chemical abortion, RU-486, in order to prevent abortion providers from dispensing this drug over the internet, a practice commonly known as web cam abortions.

Thanks to Woman’s Right to Know laws being passed nationwide, including the one passed in 2011 in North Carolina, abortion facilities are legally required to give the mother more information so she can make a truly informed abortion decision. Abortion will never be truly “safe,” especially for the unborn children who are targeted for death, but hopefully more mothers and their families will be spared the trauma of abortion and its complications.

WANT TO HELP? 

CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND 
TELL THEM TO VOTE FOR PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION!

Ethen’s Law: Ensuring Justice for Unborn Victims of Violence

In 2011, North Carolina’s General Assembly passed an Unborn Victims of Violence Act, becoming the 26^th state to have legislation fully protecting unborn babies who suffer injury or death due to violence. The law is also known as Ethen’s Law; in 2007, Jenna Nielsen was 8 ½ months pregnant with Ethen when she was brutally stabbed to death outside a convenience store. Although the case has yet to be solved, should her attacker ever come to trial he could not be charged for the baby’s death. Since the passage of Ethen’s Law, however, anyone who injures or kills a mother and her unborn child, even without prior knowledge of a pregnancy, can be charged with two crimes. 

The law, which took effect in December 2011, has since ensured justice for several unborn victims. The first conviction came quickly; in January 2012, Mark Anthony Cox pleaded guilty to the double murder of Danielle Watson and her baby and is now serving two life sentences in prison. Watson, who was two months pregnant at the time, was engaged to be married. Her fiancé Keith Smith was excited about being a husband and father. Without Ethen’s Law, his son would not have been recognized as an additional victim of Cox’s attack.

In an ongoing trial, Tina Louise Bailey has been charged with the murder of an infant who was stillborn in July 2012. Bailey advertised herself as a midwife; however, she is not certified in North Carolina, which requires all midwives to receive master’s level training and to pass a national certification exam. The mother reportedly labored for four days under Bailey’s care before going to a hospital, where her baby was stillborn. Bailey has been charged for falsely presenting herself as a midwife as well as for obstruction of justice. Under Ethen’s Law, she has also been charged with murder.

On May 1, 2013, Lance Powers pleaded guilty to a plethora of charges related to his October car crash that resulted in the death of his girlfriend and numerous injuries to others involved, including the unborn child of another driver. Mary Fontana was seven months pregnant when Powers’ vehicle crashed into hers. She and her children were all fine, but doctors were worried about her unborn child because of the bruising she sustained. Because of this, Powers was found guilty of battery on an unborn child. Fortunately, baby Breleigh is now four months old and in good health.

The most recent example of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act at work happened just last month. On April 18, Guanghui Lei of Greensboro allegedly shot and killed his wife and sister, who was in her second trimester. Lei has since been arrested and charged with the murders of the two women and the unborn child.

The tragedy of these crimes makes the importance of Ethen’s Law clear. When a mother or her unborn child is a victim of violence, the perpetrator should be tried for the injury of both. The families of these women and their unborn children are grateful that each are considered victims under the law. Without laws like the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, assaults on the unborn go unpunished and criminals receive lighter sentences than they deserve. As unfortunate as it is that such laws need to exist, North Carolinians should be glad to know that their state recognizes and protects the unborn victims of violence as such. 

Pro-life Lobby Day a Success

Thanks to our faithful grassroots supporters, Tuesday’s Pro-life Lobby Day was a success.  Approximately 150 people of all ages and backgrounds came to Raleigh’s Legislative Building to show their support for the pro-life legislation.

The day began with approximately 15 organizations setting up pro-life display tables in two of the main floor’s courts. Legislators, staff, and visitors strolling through had the opportunity to pick up literature, study the displays, and speak to the groups’ representatives.

At 11:30, everyone gathered in the 3^rd floor auditorium to hear pro-life legislators speak. Lieutenant Governor Forest, Speaker Pro Tempore Stam, and individuals from both the House and Senate spoke to the crowd about the importance of pro-life legislation. Afterwards, the audience was invited to pick up free T-shirts and to visit their representatives.

NCRTL had two shirts for people to choose from, and both were popular. Though most men opted for the white “Americans born to be free if only they were free to be born” shirt, the pink “No Sex Selection Abortions” option also went well.  All participants also received “Opt out! Abortion is not healthcare!” stickers. Hopefully lots of our legislators noticed the pro-life supporters wandering the halls with the shirts and stickers on!

To conclude the event, everyone was invited to sit in either the House or Senate gallery when the legislators went into session. If they didn’t see the pro-life crowd in the halls, they probably saw them in the gallery.

NCRTL was pleased by the success of our Pro-life Lobby Day, but we encourage all our grassroots supporters to continue contacting their representatives and urging them to support pro-life legislation. A simple phone call or email makes an impact, and a personal visit is even better. Our legislators are working hard to pass pro-life laws, but they need to know that their constituents support them. You can make a difference in the lives of unborn children simply by lending your voice for a few minutes!

2013 Oratory Contest Just Around the Corner

Are you a high school junior or senior looking to use your pro-life knowledge and maybe earn some money, too? The Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest may be right for you!

Last year's national winners.

Every year, National Right to Life holds the Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest at its annual convention. One winning student from each state competes for the grand prize of $1000 and the chance to give his or her speech at the popular closing banquet. This year’s convention will be held in Dallas, Texas on June 29, 2013.

North Carolina’s regional contest will be May 18, 2013 in Greensboro. The winner will receive a plaque and a spot in the national competition, as well as up to $300 to be used for travel to Dallas.

Any North Carolina high school junior or senior who is interested in preparing a 5-7 minute pro-life speech on a relative issue is encouraged to attend.

Who: High school juniors & seniors      

   

What: A 5-7 minute pro-life speech on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or stem cell research

When: May 18, 2013 at 1pm

Where: Greensboro, NC, location to be decided

Why:  Great experience and a chance to go the National Right to Life Convention in Dallas! 

NCRTL Will Host Its First Camp Joshua in July

As increasing numbers of young people identify themselves as pro-life, National Right to Life and its affiliates are seeking better ways to engage the youth in their communities.

While NRLC hosts an annual summer academy for college students, many of the state affiliates are reaching out to high school students by holding pro-life camps. Some states, such as Wisconsin and Louisiana, have had strong teen programs for years, while others, like Arkansas and Virginia, held their first pro-life teen camps last year. This July, North Carolina Right to Life will join them in hosting its first Camp Joshua.

Camp Joshua is named after Joshua, the Old Testament man who led his people into the Promised Land. The camps are not affiliated with any religious denomination, but they encourage the participants to be like Joshua, full of strength, wisdom, and character. Students learn how to speak knowledgably about abortion, euthanasia, and other life issues, and they are encouraged to spread the pro-life message in their communities. 

Erin Karlovich, NCRTL’s assistant director and organizer of the camp, said, “Teenagers are full of energy and passion, and they are eager to spread the pro-life message. Camp Joshua is a great way of giving them the tools they need to be effective leaders and to really embrace the movement as their own.”

Besides being an awesome place to receive a pro-life education, Camp Joshua is fun! Campers meet other teen pro-life enthusiasts from all over the state and develop friendships based on a common cause. They also have lots of time for games, skits, outdoor activities, and movies during free time.

Camp Joshua North Carolina will be held July 19-21, 2013, at Short Journey Retreat Center in Smithfield.  The registration cost is $95, which includes meals, accommodations, and materials. The camp is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school.  

Anyone interested in Camp Joshua NC should contact Erin at ncrtl.erin@gmail.com to receive an application. While there will be need-based scholarships, we strongly encourage students to ask their churches or family members for support.

The Problem of Sex Selection Abortion in the United States

Sex selection has long been a problem in countries such as India and China, where cultural customs place greater value on male children. Before there were accurate tests to determine the sex of unborn children, infanticide or abandonment was common, and girls were in danger as soon as they were born. Now, however, advances in technology make determining a child’s sex possible months before birth, endangering girls long before delivery. Many people are aware of sex selection in other countries, but what they don’t realize is that it is widespread across the United States, too.

While some places, like India, have passed legislation to ban sex selection abortion, in the United States no such federal ban exists. Last year, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, which would have made sex selection abortions illegal, failed to pass in Congress. Though a strong House majority voted in favor of the bill, it failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote. Currently, sex selection abortions are illegal in only four states: Illinois, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Arizona. This means that in most states, women may obtain abortions at any time during their pregnancy and for any reason, including sex of the child.

This is ideal for many of the immigrant families who come to the United States from cultures where gendercide is practiced and accepted. They can abort their female children, no questions asked, and continue trying to have a boy. Although these families leave their country’s culture behind, they bring the expectations and traditions with them, and these include placing greater importance on boys. Even if a pregnant mother wants to keep her baby girl, she often feels pressure to abort from her husband or extended family. In one study of immigrant Indian women, one of the participants revealed that when she gave birth to her second daughter, her mother-in-law refused to hold the child. Another woman said she had to know the sex of the baby she was carrying because, if the baby was a girl, “I will have to get an abortion because he [husband] does not want another daughter.”

Though sex selection is most common among women of Asian and Indian descent, it is not limited to them. Abortion on demand has fed American women a sense of entitlement when it comes to children. Not only can a woman abort an unwanted child, but modern technology allows for “customized” families, too. Using in vitro fertilization, women can screen their embryos for health problems, certain genetic traits, and yes, even sex. While American culture does not directly place greater value on male children, it does emphasize a “perfect family” stereotype of one boy and one girl.  

In 2012, Live Action began a series of undercover videos to show just how prevalent sex selection is in the United States. Women entered abortion facilities and posed as expectant mothers who had one daughter and wanted a son. They would then ask the counselors how to test for sex and schedule an abortion “just in case” they were carrying a girl. In each video, the counselor assures the woman that they are there to help, not judge, and gives her the information she requests. In some cases, they advise the women how to lie in order to get away with a sex selection abortion. Live Action’s most recent videos were filmed in North Carolina.

To view the complete video series or to learn more about Live Action’s investigation, visit http://protectourgirls.com/learn/.

For a more in depth look into what National Right to Life and its affiliates are doing to ban sex selection abortions, visit http://www.nrlc.org/Sex-SelectionAbortion/index.html.