Georgia Right to Life

Georgia Right to Life

Georgia Right to Life Logo
Founder	Jay and Cheryl Bowman
Type	IRS exemption status: 501(c)(4)
Focus	Education, Legislation, Political Action
Location	283 West Crogan Street SW Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045
Area served	Georgia
Method	Donations
Key people	Daniel Becker, President Nancy Stith, Executive Director

Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) is a pro-life advocacy organization that is non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian. It was incorporated in 1971 by Jay and Cheryl Bowman. In 1973, it became the state affiliate of the Washington, D.C. based National Right to Life Committee in response to the Supreme decision of Roe v Wade which legalized abortion. GRTL serves as Georgia’s largest pro-life organization with grassroots chapters across 30 counties in Georgia and more than 240,000 identified pro-life households. Georgia Right to Life is organized for activities in the areas of education, legislation, and political action. The organization uses the aforementioned methods to oppose legalized abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and human cloning and artificially produced genetic transformation.

History

Georgia Right to Life, which was originally titled the Georgia Right to Life Committee, was established in 1970. The organization changed its name to Georgia Right to Life in the mid-1980s. Its first major action was a letter-writing campaign in the same year. The campaign encouraged Georgians to vote for pro-life candidates. By 1971, the Georgia Right to Life Committee was incorporated and became a member of the National Right to Life Coalition. An office was set up in the garage of the Bowman's home and volunteers helped mail packets of information and a newsletter to thousands of Georgians. Several months later, Georgia Right to Life began establishing local chapters in other parts of the state.

In 1973, Georgia Right to Life launched a pro-life campaign in reaction to the Supreme Court case Roe v Wade which was decided on January 22, 1973. The Bowmans appeared on television and radio programs as speakers on abortion and other pro-life issues. Jay Bowman appeared in the "hot seat" on the WAGA show "Confrontation" and Cheryl Bowman appeared on WSB-TV's "Today in Georgia." The group gained national recognition when an article about Georgia Right to Life was printed in a 1975 issue of "Newsweek". The organization eventually relocated its office to Decatur, Georgia.

The Bowmans left Georgia Right to Life in the late 1970s. Mary Boyert joined GRTL's executive committee in 1978. She served as the Education Director from 1979-1980. She was elected president of the organization in 1980. She served for three consecutive terms (1980–1986). After her third and final term, Ms. Boyert was appointed to the Executive Director position in late 1986. She held that post until being appointed the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Director in 2000. Ms. Boyert established the Georgia Right to Life Executive Committee, the Georgia Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, and the Georgia Right to Life Political Action Committee. Under Ms. Boyert's presidency, local chapters were founded and the organization's bimonthly newsletter. By the 1990s, 225,000 pro-life households identified with the organization.

Mary Boyert

In 2000, president-elect Caryl Swift and the State Board of Directors voted to reverse the organization's position on politicians; views on abortion in regard to rape and incest. Previously to 1999, Georgia Right to Life did not disqualify elected public officials from receiving an endorsement from the organization if they held an exception for abortion in favor of rape and incest victims. Caryl Swift and the Executive Committee reversed this position. All politicians who hold an abortion exception for rape and incest can no longer qualify for and endorsement from the GRTL Political Action Committee.

In 2000, Caryl Swift was elected to the presidency of Georgia Right to Life. She held the position from 2000-2007. Under Ms. Swift, GRTL began lobbying for Georgia state representatives and proposed legislation. In the last few years, GRTL has publicly endorsed Casey Cagle, Ralph Reed, Paul Broun, and Mac Collins for higher political office. Current United States Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) did not receive an endorsement from Georgia Right to Life in the 2004 midterm elections.

The REACH Benefit Dinner was first established in 2001 by the Swift administration. REACH, which is an acronym for Reaching Hearts, Changing Minds, is an annual fundraiser for Georgia Right to Life's Educational Trust Fund.

Under Ms. Swift's presidency, Georgia Right to Life was able to successfully lobby the General Assembly on HB 197 in 2006. The bill created a 24 hour waiting period for all women seeking an abortion, tightened parental notification regulations, mandated that all women seeking abortion be offered the chance to view an ultrasound, and mandated all women seeking abortion be informed about fetal pain.

By unanimous vote by the State Board, GRTL, Inc. became a faith-based organization in 2007. Georgia Right to Life is a philanthropic Judeo-Christian organization which is legally recognized as a not-for-profit.

GRTL presidents

Georgia Right to Life has had a democratically elected president since its creation in 1970. These presidents include: Jay Bowman, 1970–1979, Kel MacDonald, 1979–1980, Mary Boyert, 1980–1986, John and Linda Fuchko, 1986–1988, Erik Petersen, 1988–1989, Tom Clark, 1990–1991, Gen Wilson, 1991–2000, Caryl Swift, 2000–2007, and Dan Becker, 2007–Present. All presidents are limited to three consecutive terms. Any president may serve in any position within the organization for as long as the current president sees fit after their presidency.

Recent history

Today, Georgia Right to Life's activities include: the printing of a bi-monthly newsletter with a stated circulation of around 60,000, the funding a multi-media pro-life and "personhood" campaign, the drafting and promoting of legislation to restrict abortion, and the hosting of pro-life events like the Together for Life rally. Georgia Right to Life is also well known for its pro-life organization intended for instilling, mentoring, and fostering a respect for human life in young girls, Miss Right to Life of Georgia Scholarship & Benefit Pageant.

There are currently 30 adult-organized, grass roots chapters and one youth-focused and youth-organized chapter (Mission: Life, see Mission: Life section) under the Georgia Right to Life banner. Daniel Becker succeeded Caryl Swift as president of Georgia Right to Life in 2007. Under Becker's leadership, the organization has lobbied for restrictions on abortion, including the Human Life Amendment which would have defined personhood as beginning at fertilization, to be added to the Georgia Constitution.

Georgia Right to Life has been written about in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Christian Newswire, the Christian Index, and the Times Free Press as well as highlighted by NPR and other sources of media.

Each year, Georgia Right to Life hosts the Together for Life rally and memorial service at the Georgia state capitol. Rep. Martin Scott (R-District 2) and Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the event in 2009.

In most recent news, Georgia Right to Life has received coverage for its endorsement of Governor Mike Huckabee in the 2008 presidential election and its support for The Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act, the Option of Adoption Act (placing embryos in the adoption process), and HR 334/SR 156 "Opposing FOCA Resolution."

Georgia Right to Life has also received media coverage for its strong stand in favor of the Human Life Amendment. The organization has lobbied Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson for a speedy vote on the amendment To date, the Human Life Amendment has not come to a vote in the Georgia General Assembly. Other GRTL-sponsored legislation which has not received a hearing in the Georgia House include SB 223 "The Woman's Reproductive Health Oversight Committee," HR 1 "Ban on Abortion," and HR 5 "Paramount Right to Life Amendment."

The organization's most recent projects include the "Abortion Holocaust Memorial Wall" and the "Choose Life" license plates campaign. The virtual wall is modeled after the Vietnam Memorial but it recognizes every abortion performed in the United States since 1973. In 2009, GRTL joined the non-profit organization Choose Life of Georgia in its license plate campaign. License plates which read "Choose Life" are offered to be purchased by any Georgia citizen. Proceeds from the purchases are donated to agencies that promote adoption (pro-life pregnancy centers).

In 2009, Georgia Right to Life released its Candidate Affirmation statement. Any political candidate who seeks an endorsement from the organization must sign the statement. The document reads:

"Whereas, the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, 'nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law,' Georgia Right to Life PAC affirms the principle that the right to life is the bedrock upon which all other Constitutional rights are derived.

In addition, we believe, in the face of compelling biological evidence, that a continuum of human life and personhood begins at the moment of fertilization and ends at natural death, the ethical treatment of human embryos must include their 'best interests,'

Therefore, as a candidate for public office, I affirm my support for a Human Life Amendment to the Georgia Constitution and other actions that would support these principals. This would assure that regardless of race, age, degree of disability, manner of conception or circumstances surrounding a terminal illness, that the civil rights of the pre-born at an embryonic or fetal level, the elderly and those with mental or physical infirmities are protected by law and are violated when we allow destructive embryonic stem cell research, therapeutic or reproductive cloning, animal human hybrids, abortion (except to save the life of the mother), infanticide, euthanasia or assisted suicide."

Georgia state senator Eric Johnson, Ray McBerry, Georgia state Commissioner John Oxendine, Georgia state representative Austin Scott, and Jeff Chapman, five of the Republican candidates for Governor, have signed GRTL's declaration.

Starting in 2010, Georgia Right to Life will promote a pro-life outreach campaign geared toward the African-American community.

Organization

Georgia Right to Life is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee. Its official status is a 501 (c)(4). Like other NRLC chapters, Georgia Right to Life is an umbrella organization. Georgia Right to Life consists of the Education Trust Fund (ETF), which is a 501 (c)(3), the Political Action Committee (PAC), and GRTL Committee, Inc. GRTL Committee, Inc. is the parent division of the organization to which the PAC reports. Its functions include: mailing a pro-life, bimonthly newsletter, organizing pro-life events featuring pro-life speakers, and fundraising for the GRTL Educational Trust Fund. Although GRTL Committee, Inc. is recognized as a not-for-profit organization, donations are not tax-deductible. The Georgia Right to Life Educational Trust Fund is also recognized as a not-for-profit and all donations to it are tax-deductible because its purpose is solely educational. The majority of the ETF's agenda is advanced through the education committee. The committee provides a resource center of educational materials including: pamphlets, books, videos, fetal models and educational reprints on life issues. Educational workshops are also held, and a speaker's bureau is maintained. In addition to these tasks, the ETF's education committee oversees the organization's media campaign which began in 1999. The first GRTL television advertisement was aired in the metro-Atlanta market in the summer of 2001.

The PAC is the political lobbying branch of Georgia Right to Life. Over the last few years, the PAC has begun publicly supporting candidates for high office. Before endorsing or aiding candidates, the Political Action Committee (PAC) must follow a carefully established criteria which includes a candidate survey and interview, an examination of past voting records, a gauging of the candidate's credibility, and a judgment of the particular circumstances of each race. The candidate must support the civil right to life of every human being, regardless of age, handicap, or social position and may not be favor of the rape or incest exceptions for abortion. In addition, he/she must stand against public funding of abortion. Under present state and federal laws, the PAC can solicit funds only from members of GRTL. Any member, except a profit or non-profit corporation, may contribute to the PAC; but the GRTL PAC is restricted by law to confine its funding solicitation to members of GRTL and its contributions are not tax-deductible.

The State Board, which is GRTL Committee, Inc. is the highest authority in the organization. The board is composed of the executive committee, the presidents of the local chapters, and the organization's delegate to the NRLC. The State Board meets twice a year and when it is not in session, the executive committee oversees the day-to-day operations.

GRTL's Executive Committee consists of the following positions: Board of Directors, President, Executive Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Education and Public Relations, Director of Legislative Affairs, Director of Minority Outreach, the Political Action Committee, Prayer Leader, and At Large Directors. The president of the GRTL, Committee, Inc. is democratically elected. The other members of the Executive Committee are appointed. Although the Executive Committee sets policy, directs GRTL's main efforts in the community, and establishes the state-wide chapters, each chapter is given the authority to plan its own events. Each chapter is required to attend 2 State Board meetings each year and to send an annual financial to the Executive Committee. There are currently 42 adult organizations which attend the biannual State Board meetings.

Mission: Life

Georgia Right to Life's youth chapter, "Mission: Life," was created in 2006 by former GRTL Director of Education and Public Relations Josh Brahm. Mission: Life first took root in Hall County in 2008. The Hall County group continues to meet. Mission: Life Alpharetta, which was established at Alpharetta High School in 2008, is the only other official Mission: Life group. Mission: Life educates high school students in pro-life apologetics. Mission: Life groups were informally established in Marietta and Carlton counties. Mission: Life Marietta held meetings in 2007 and the Hall County group never held official meetings.

Mission: Life Alpharetta was founded by Danny Cohen, a high school junior at the time, at Alpharetta High School in September 2008. Hannah Carter, Director of Education and Press Relations for GRTL, inaugurated the chapter's first meeting. Mission: Life Alpharetta raised $2,800 for A Beacon of Hope Pregnancy resource center through three fundraisers in its first year. These fundraisers included two "Baby Bottle Boomerang" pocket-change drives and the 1st Annual Laps for Life Charity Walk. The club received two grants from The Giving Point Organization on behalf of A Beacon of Hope. One grant was approved in September 2009 and the other was approved in December of the same year. In 2010, Mission: Life Alpharetta organized the second Laps for Life event which occurred on April 17. The event raised $2,800 for A Beacon of Hope Pregnancy resource center. This sum brought Mission: Life Alpharetta's all-time donation total to $5,600.

Mission: Life Alpharetta is presently partnered with A Beacon of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, the North American Mission Board, Roswell High School Rock for Life, and Yoforia Yogurt Shop.

Other Mission: Life events include: Participation in the Pro-Life Day of Silence and Solidarity, the Georgia Right to Life Together for Life Rally and Memorial Service, and the observance of the Sanctity of Life Day.

Events

Georgia Right to Life participates and/or hosts each of the following events annually.

Life Chain: Georgia Right to Life encourages citizens to peacefully assembly in public facilities with pro-life signs in order to promote dialogue for pro-life issues.

Regional Conferences: The regional conferences are annual meetings throughout Georgia among pro-life leaders, students, and adults. Presentations are given on pro-life topics such as abortion, adoption, personhood, and biotechnology.

REACH Benefit Dinner: Each year, Georgia Right to Life hosts a fundraising dinner which features speeches from the winner of the GRTL oratorical contest, a leader in the Pro-life Movement, and a keynote speaker. Past speakers have included Phillip D. Kline, former Attorney General of Kansas and Star Parker, Founder and President of CURE (Coalition for Urban Renewal and Education).

Oratory Contest: High school students from across the state of Georgia participate annually in a pro-life focused speech contest. The winner of the contest is asked to speak at the annual REACH Benefit Dinner. In 2008, Blake Adams won 1st place in the Georgia Right to Life Oratory Contest.

Miss Right to Life of Georgia Scholarship & Benefit Program: "Mentoring and fostering a respect for human life while touching hearts, changing minds, and saving lives" An organization and beauty pageant for young women who oppose abortion.

Together for Life Rally and Memorial Service: Georgia Right to Life hosts a rally in front of the Georgia state capitol every year. Recent rallies have numbered 3,000 to 5,000 participants. The memorial service was originally founded in 1978 as a memorial for babies born in the Midtown Hospital in Atlanta. One year later, 1979, the service was adapted into a prayer breakfast. The Together for Life Rally Memorial Service was organized as a public march in 1980 and began meeting in front of the Georgia state capitol steps in the early 1980s. The largest number of participants occurred in 1990 and 1991 when Pat Robertson and Cal Thomas were the keynote speakers. 15,000 people came to listen to both men. Each rally includes speeches from Georgia General Assemblymen, members of the clergy, and a keynote speaker. Former speakers have included Ron Ball & Maggie Kollen – 1988, Pat Robertson 1990, Cal Thomas - 1991 George Grant - 1992, Richard Land - 1993, Alan Keyes - 1994, Gary Bauer - 1995, Judith Koehler - 1996, Sandra Cano and Brenda Pratt Shafer RN – 1997, Ralph Reed – 1998, Reba Bishop 2000 and Sean Hannity, Martin Scott (R-District 2), Pastor Mike Stone, and Dr. Alveda King. Performing artists have included Newsong, Babie Mason, Micah, Ken & Barbie Franklin, Beyond the Blue, Crystal Farmer, Heirs of Promise. Ken Blackwell is scheduled to speak at the 2010 event.

Personhood Symposium: The Personhood Symposium was initiated by current GRTL President Dan Becker in 2008. The event focuses on the advancement of "personhood" issues and features presentations from various leaders in the pro-life movement. Joni Eareckson Tada, Nellie Gray, Robert Muise, John Eidsmore, Wesley Smith, Catherine Davis, and Dean Nelson were featured at the 2008 Symposium.

External links

• Georgie Right to Life website
• Personhood website
• National Right to Life website
• Miss Right To Life Pageant