The Feminist Case Against Abortion

FFL President Serrin M. Foster has led Feminists for Life of America since 1994. Under her leadership, FFL successfully advocated benefits for poor and pregnant women through the State Child Health Insurance Program, worked in coalition with other women's organizations to defeat the mandatory "family cap" and other punitive child exclusion provisions in welfare reform, and helped to prevent poverty and coerced abortions due to threats to withhold child support through passage of the Enhanced Child Support Act. Serrin served on the National Taskforce Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, which worked to pass the Violence Against Women Act, and she also testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in support of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, also known as "Laci and Conner's Law." The creator of the Women Deserve Better^® campaign has been an outspoken opponent of pregnancy discrimination and has focused on developing on-campus resources and support for underserved pregnant and parenting students. In January 1997, Serrin moderated the first-ever FFL Pregnancy Resource Forum^SM at Georgetown University, which became a model for the country and in 2010 became the basis for Pregnancy Assistance Fund grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Serrin's landmark speech, "The Feminist Case Against Abortion," has been recognized as one of the "great speeches in history" in an anthology called Women's Rights. Click here for more information.

FFL College Outreach Program Coordinator Chaunie M. Brusie became a student mother her senior year of college. She shared her personal story as a pregnant student who challenged the status quo in FFL's e-series, Chaunie's Journey. After interning with Feminists for Life, Chaunie founded S.U.P.P.O.R.T., a campus organization dedicated to creating resources and support for pregnant and parenting students like herself. Chaunie hosted FFL's first Rally for Resources^SM, successfully petitioning for more pregnant and parenting resources on her campus. She graduated on time with her bachelor's degree one week before delivering her daughter and is pursuing her master's degree in Non-Profit Administration. She has spoken on Capitol Hill and delivered lectures and workshops across the country. As a Registered Nurse, Chaunie has experience in obstetric, critical and long-term care nursing and was awarded the National Association of Pro-Life Nurses Award in 2007. As FFL's College Outreach Program Coordinator, Chaunie helps student activists and leads the workshop "Woman-Centered Solutions on Campus" to transform campuses across the nation in support of pro-woman solutions. Chaunie and her husband live in Michigan with their daughters, Ada and Mya. Preview Chaunie's lecture here.

Joyce Ann McCauley-Benner was raped at 20 while working her way through college and chose not to abort, not knowing if her unborn son was the result of rape or of her relationship. She says, "I know what it's like to want to run as far away as possible from a problem, how it feels to hang on to 'if I wasn't pregnant anymore, it would all be OK again.'" Ms. McCauley-Benner, who graduated from college while raising her son, worked on a racial justice task force and has worked with victims of sex trafficking. Today she presents her speech, "Victory Over Violence" on college campuses and at Capitol Hill briefings. In addition to her lecture, she moderates FFL Pregnancy Resource Forums. A mother of two sons and current student-parent, Ms. McCauley-Benner lives in the Midwest. Preview Joyce's lecture here.

Sally A. Winn has been an outspoken advocate for women and children since 1996. She founded Indiana Democrats for Life and later co-founded Democrats for Life of America. As the Vice President of Feminists for Life of America, Sally’s own experience with unplanned pregnancy in college helped her advocate for pregnant and parenting students across the country. Sally went on to serve as the Director of Operations for a therapeutic group maternity home serving pregnant and parenting teens in the Pacific Northwest. Sally proudly carried on the legacy of our feminist foremothers as Executive Director of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams, Massachusetts. Today she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her two daughters and continues to represent Feminists for Life moderating FFL Pregnancy Resource Forums^SM and speaking at conferences, banquets, and campuses across the country.

Angelica Talavera founded a pregnancy center shortly after graduating from college and continues to run it in her hometown in the Southwest. Her own mother was advised to abort her but risked her life to continue her pregnancy. Her mother's courage continues to be a motivation for Ms. Talavera. Ms. Talavera presents the perspective of a woman who works daily with pregnant and parenting women, particularly college age women, facing crisis situations and she sees firsthand how lack of support hurts women: "This failure to provide resources is a reflection of how far we still need to go to eliminate the root causes of abortion," Ms. Talavera said. Preview Angelica's lecture here.

FFL Board Member Jessica O'Connor-Petts became pregnant shortly after graduating from university in 1996 but continued with her plan to move to Washington, D.C. to work in public policy and row competitively. With the loving support of family, friends, and caregivers, she made an adoption plan for her birthson, including four joyful weeks with him after his birth. Ms. O'Connor-Petts later completed an MBA, and works with a management consulting firm in Washington while continuing to row competitively. She also volunteers for a number of organizations that serve birthmothers. Ms. O'Connor-Petts' birthson, his little sister and parents were part of her wedding in 2003, with her birth son serving as ring-bearer. Ms. O'Connor-Petts is available to speak on a limited basis in the Washington area.