New March for Life Gets Off to a Running Start

by: Jeanne Monahan

August 13, 2013, marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Nellie Gray, founder of the March for Life (MfL).  Nellie's tireless pro-life work following the decision of Roe and continuing for the next forty years, (until the age of 88!), built the strong foundation upon which the March for Life now continues its work to promote the dignity of the human person.

Following the passing of Nellie the questions were asked by the Board for the March for Life: "What can we do to build on this incredible woman's legacy? And how can the March for Life further promote a culture of life?"  The answers included a strategic expansion of scope of the March for Life, and thus the board brought on new staff to help with digital media, legislative issues, and ecumenical outreach.

As we begin our first monthly newsletter, I'd like to take a few minutes now to share with you some of the work of the March for Life over the course of the past year. Many people often ask MfL staff: "What do you do after January"? In addition to coordinating the largest pro-life gathering in the world every year on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions in Roe and Doe, the March for Life staff also works on a day-to-day basis to build a culture of life. It is our ultimate goal to work to create a culture where no woman would ever choose abortion.

One of the ways we do this is through media; the MfL regularly represents the pro-life voice in mainstream news. Over the course of the past year, the MfL has been interviewed on such major outlets as the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, National Review, and Washington Post on a variety of issues related to a culture of life, including speaking out on Emergency Contraception (which can act as an abortifacient), the safety of abortion clinics, and adoption, among other themes. Please check out our website to view or read any of these interviews: marchforlife.org.

article continues at http://www.marchforlife.org

Jeanne Monahan was recently appointed to the role of President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. In this capacity she proudly directs a small non-profit organization committed to restoring a culture of life in the United States, most notably through the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., held on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Previously Jeanne worked with the Family Research Council (FRC), where she focused on issues related to the inherent dignity of the human person, including abortion, women's health, and end-of-life issues. Prior to FRC Jeanne worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Secretary. Her federal government experience includes global health policy, as well as domestic and international health care issues. Before working in public policy, Jeanne worked for the Catholic Church in a variety of positions involving educating on life issues, human sexuality, marriage, and family.
 
Jeanne has made frequent media appearances including interviews on NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNN's John King USA and FOX News Hour with Brett Baier. Jeanne's writings have appeared in U.S. News and World Report, USA Today , the Washington Post and numerous others publications.

Jeanne holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from James Madison University and a Masters degree in the theology of marriage and family from the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.