February Recap

February was a short month, but there was a lot going on!

1. Attorney General Confirms State Will Appeal Abortion Ultrasound Law

Image Source: National Right to Life

On February 7, Attorney General Roy Cooper said the state will appeal the recently rejected abortion ultrasound law. This provision, part of the 2011 Women's Right to Know Act, would require an abortionist to display and describe the ultrasound to each woman seeking an abortion. Although ultrasounds were previously required by the state and are already standard procedures before abortions, in January Judge Catherine Eagles issued a permanent injunction against the provision, stating that requiring doctors to describe the images violated their freedom of speech rights. 

Ultrasounds are high on the list of controversial sub-topics when it comes to abortion, but they are vital to an expectant woman's decision-making process. Too often, mothers are ignorant of their unborn babies' development, and having the opportunity to witness for themselves what their children look like at 8 weeks could influence their decision. What they see on the screen is not someone else's opinion, but a factual representation of pre-born life. Many post-abortive women say that if they had only known the truth about their baby, they would not have chosen abortion.

NCRTL president Barbara Holt expressed her approval of the Attorney General's decision. "We are pleased that Attorney General Roy Cooper has decided to defend NC's ultrasound law in spite of his opposition to the pro-life provision.  A mother has the right to an opportunity to see an ultrasound image of her unborn child and to hear her baby's heartbeat in advance of an abortion.  How else can she make a fully informed decision to have the abortion, which will take the life of her unborn child?  This is critically important information about her developing unborn child which many mothers who later regret their abortions say they wish they had been given at the time of their abortions."

2. Thanks

Our February 8th campaign to thank our pro-life legislators was a success! Almost 500 people saw our Facebook post, and many others saw our tweets.Thank you to everyone who shared our graphic on Facebook, tweeted #NC4Life and #ProLifeNC, and contacted your pro-life elected officials in support and appreciation. We know they were grateful to hear from us! 

Please continue to support your pro-life legislators in the coming year, and remember to vote pro-life! 

3. Choose Life Plates

On February 11, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that North Carolina's "Choose Life" license plate is unconstitutional because a pro-abortion plate was not also permitted. North Carolina Right to Life and other pro-life groups remain hopeful that a "Choose Life" plate will eventually be offered in North Carolina. 

Barbara Holt commented, "The 'Choose Life' plate simply affirms childbirth, in which the state has legitmate interest. Thanks to our current legislature, to help vulnerable mothers, the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship is receiving $250,000 through a special budget apppropriation to make up for those funds being lost from the sale of the plates because of the litigation and this ruling."

It's That Time of Year Again!

The National Right to Life Academy is once again accepting applications! If you are a college student interested in a summer in Washington, D.C. and a life-changing pro-life education, this is for you! 

What is the Academy? From the website: 

The National Right to Life Academy is a unique, five-week academic summer course for college students who are eager to put their pro-life passion to work. Students have the opportunity to earn 3 college credits through the Human Life Studies Program from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

$3600 tuition includes lodging at a university residence in downtown Washington, D.C., registration, room and board at the 2014 National Right to Life Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and five weeks of the most comprehensive pro-life education around

If you're looking at the tuition cost and thinking, "I could never afford that," that's okay. Every year, North Carolina Right to Life offers the Scholarship for Life, which covers tuition for one student. When you apply to the Right to Life Academy, contact our office and let us know you're interested. We'll be happy to work with you through the application process. 

Since 2007, five students have represented North Carolina at the Academy. Their enthusiasm for the Academy is unparalleled, and if you'd like a student's perspective of the program, check out what they have to say here. 

Applications for the Summer 2014 course are due by March 15th, so hurry and apply today!

7 Quick Takes!

1. Sometimes it's easy to take technology for granted, but we think that images of life in the womb never grow old! These are so beautiful. 

2. Earlier this week, Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards got a lot of attention when she posted a video saying that #WhatWomenNeed for Valentine's Day is access to abortion. For obvious reasons, people took issue with that. We saw lots of great responses, including this article from National Right to Life, Women Speak for Themselves' photo album, and this "What Women REALLY Need" photo album from New Wave Feminists. Great work, everyone!

3. Attention aspiring filmmakers! National Right to Life's annual video contest is now accepting submissions. This is a fun way to use your talents to give voice to the voiceless, and the prizes are great! 

4. Speaking of exciting opportunities from National Right to Life, the annual Right to Life Academy is just around the corner! College students have another month to apply for this life-changing summer training camp. Don't forget, if you're a student in North Carolina, you can apply for our Scholarship for Life, too!

5. National Right to Life recently released a report on "The State of Abortion in the United States." Packed full of facts, charts, and images, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this controversial issue.

6. Would you believe that a lingerie company is making some of the most beautiful pro-woman, pro-life videos ever? Titled "My Beautiful Woman," each celebrates the strength of women. This is one. Grab a few tissues and prepare to be moved.

7. Happy Valentine's Day! Remind someone that you love them! 

We're Saying Thanks

The legislature may not be in session, but it's never a bad time to say "thanks" to the men and women who do so much to protect the dignity of life in North Carolina. 

On Saturday, Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups will have a "Moral March" in Raleigh. Not only are they busing in NC college students, they're also bringing in people from out of state. Why? Because North Carolina is one of the leading states in protecting babies and mothers from abortion, and they don't like that. Let's take advantage of this to remind our pro-life legislators that we're PROUD of their hard work! 

In recent years, our General Assembly has passed the following pro-life laws:

• Woman's Right to Know
• Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Ethen's Law)
• SB353
  -Opt out of abortion in Obamacare and the city/county employee health plans
  -Ban sex selection abortions
  -Ban webcam abortions

Do your part. Thank your pro-life General Assembly members*. Please take a few moments to write a note, send an email, or make a phone call. Representatives' contact information can be found here, and senators' contact information is here. These elected officials face a great deal of criticism for their defense of the unborn, and they need to hear our appreciation!

You can also join us as we tweet #NC4Life and #ProLifeNC on Saturday in recognition of all their efforts to stand for life! When you tweet, be sure to use @thomtillis, @PatMcCroryNC, or @SenatorBerger, as well as the names of any other pro-life legislators on Twitter. 

Unsure who to contact? Here are some suggestions: 

• Speaker of the House Thom Tillis
• President Pro Tempore Phil Berger 
• Governor Pat McCrory (signed SB353 into law)
• Those who voted "aye" on SB353
  -Senators
  -Representatives

*All Republican members, with the exception of Representative Charles Jeter and Senator Bill Rabon, voted pro-life. Unfortunately, no Democrats voted for our newly-passed 2013 laws.