Feminists for Life

Feminists for Life of America, commonly known as Feminists for Life or FFL, is a United States nonprofit organization that combines an anti-abortion position with a feminist vocabulary and policy agenda. Founded in Ohio in 1972 by Pat Goltz and Cathy Callaghan, the group emerged from a disagreement within the women's movement over whether abortion was compatible with feminism. FFL argues that abortion is inconsistent with the protection of women and children, and presents pregnancy support, economic assistance, housing, child care, health coverage, and protection from coercion as alternatives to abortion. The organization is distinct from mainstream abortion-rights feminism, although it has often sought to reclaim the word “feminist” for an anti-abortion position. Its public language has frequently emphasized being “pro-woman,” framing abortion as a consequence of unequal social and economic conditions rather than as a form of liberation. FFL has argued that women may face pressure to end pregnancies because of unsupportive partners, poverty, educational constraints, workplace expectations, or inadequate family policy. Its preferred remedies have included child care at colleges, housing for student parents, maternity-related health coverage, and institutional assistance for pregnant and parenting students. FFL began as a relatively small activist organization with an unusual position inside the broader feminist and anti-abortion movements. In 1974, Goltz was expelled from the Columbus, Ohio, chapter of the National Organization for Women after arguing that abortion violated feminist principles, although the source material indicates that she and Callaghan retained national NOW membership. During the 1970s, FFL distributed literature, attended both feminist and anti-abortion events, corresponded with newspapers, and developed an annual conference or workshop for anti-abortion feminists. The group supported both the Equal Rights Amendment and a constitutional Human Life Amendment, treating gender equality and fetal protection as compatible goals. The organization gained greater national visibility under Rachel MacNair, who became president in 1984. MacNair operated the group for roughly a decade from a crisis-pregnancy-center office in Kansas City, Missouri, while expanding media appearances, public speaking, and participation in anti-abortion activism. During this period, FFL promoted historical claims that some nineteenth-century women's-rights leaders opposed abortion. Its use of statements attributed to Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton produced disputes with historians, who questioned both authorship and interpretation. In the early 1990s, MacNair also worked toward the creation of the Susan B. Anthony List, a separate political organization intended to support anti-abortion candidates. After MacNair's departure, Serrin Foster reorganized FFL in Washington, D.C., and placed greater emphasis on political pragmatism and college outreach. Foster began speaking on campuses in 1994, initially presenting “The Feminist Case Against Abortion,” and FFL formalized a nationwide college program in 1996. The program supplied student activists and campus staff with posters, literature, pregnancy-resource materials, residence-adviser resources, counseling materials, and a feminist-history kit. It also promoted the idea that colleges should make parenting compatible with education. Some of the campaign's materials were criticized for presenting abortion-rights arguments selectively and for using disputed historical quotations. FFL publishes The American Feminist, a biannual magazine containing original and reprinted material. The publication and the college program have served as central vehicles for the organization's identity-building and advocacy. FFL has also participated in litigation and legislative campaigns intended to restrict abortion. It filed an amicus brief connected with the 1993 Supreme Court case Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic, supported proposed federal partial-birth-abortion bans in the 1990s, and backed legislation concerning pregnant and parenting students. In 1999, it proposed that the Violence Against Women Act should not permit abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape. The group has attracted media attention through its association with prominent members and supporters. Sarah Palin was identified as an FFL member beginning in 2006, and membership in the organization by Jane Roberts, wife of Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, became a subject of public discussion during his 2005 confirmation hearings. FFL reported 26,000 members in 2007, a figure that reportedly included family members of women who joined. The organization has also been criticized by abortion-rights advocates and some feminist scholars, who argue that its practical objective is to restrict or prohibit abortion and that its approach does not adequately address contraception, sexual health, or the range of circumstances faced by pregnant women. FFL remains an active American advocacy organization centered on anti-abortion feminism and support for pregnant and parenting women.

Feminists for Life was founded in Ohio in 1972 by Pat Goltz and Cathy Callaghan. The founders met through a judo club at Ohio State University, where Callaghan was a tenured linguistics professor. They created the organization around the conviction that abortion was incompatible with feminist principles. This position placed FFL at odds with the dominant direction of the American women's movement, while also distinguishing it from anti-abortion groups that did not identify with feminism. In 1974, Goltz was expelled from the Columbus chapter of the National Organization for Women after arguing that abortion violated feminist values. The organization continued to develop during the 1970s through literature distribution, correspondence with publications, and participation in both feminist and anti-abortion events. After Goltz completed approximately five years as president, administrative operations moved to Wisconsin in 1977. FFL also developed a national workshop that became an annual gathering for anti-abortion feminists. Many members supported both the Equal Rights Amendment and a Human Life Amendment, presenting women's equality and opposition to abortion as compatible causes. Rachel MacNair was elected president at the 1984 annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. She managed FFL for roughly ten years from an office connected with a crisis pregnancy center in Kansas City, Missouri. Under MacNair, the organization achieved wider public exposure through interviews, speaking engagements, and participation in anti-abortion campaigns. By the late 1980s, FFL promoted research asserting that early feminists had opposed abortion. Those claims, especially references to Susan B. Anthony, were contested by historians who questioned the authorship and historical context of texts cited by the organization. During the 1990s, FFL increasingly used “pro-woman” language to construct an anti-abortion identity that it regarded as authentically feminist. The organization argued that abortion could reflect gender inequality and that women should not have to choose between motherhood and education, employment, housing, or economic security. At the same time, its political activity supported restrictions on abortion. FFL filed an amicus brief associated with Operation Rescue in the 1993 Supreme Court case Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic and supported proposed federal bans on so-called partial-birth abortion. Both bills considered during the 1990s were vetoed by President Bill Clinton. In 1992, MacNair also worked toward establishing the Susan B. Anthony List, a separate political action committee intended to help elect anti-abortion candidates. MacNair's departure in 1994 was followed by a move to Washington, D.C., and a reorganization under Serrin Foster. Foster began visiting college campuses that year to present “The Feminist Case Against Abortion.” In 1996, FFL expanded the effort into a formal College Outreach program. The program supplied materials for students, residential advisers, counselors, and libraries, and promoted campus policies such as child-care facilities, family housing, and maternity coverage. FFL described these policies as practical support that could make continuing a pregnancy more feasible. Critics argued that some of the program's posters and historical claims presented abortion-rights arguments tendentiously and omitted information about obtaining abortions. FFL's public profile increased through its magazine, The American Feminist, its campus activity, and its association with prominent supporters. Sarah Palin was identified as a member beginning in 2006. Membership in FFL by Jane Roberts became an issue during the 2005 confirmation hearings of her husband, John Roberts. The organization reported 26,000 members in 2007, counting family members in its total. Its offices were affected in 2005 when the Woodward Building in Washington, D.C., was closed for conversion to residential use. The organization has stated that its members hold differing views on contraception and that FFL has no official position on the subject. Nevertheless, critics have argued that its limited emphasis on contraception and safer sex leaves out important reproductive-health concerns. Other critics, including feminist writers and scholars, have characterized FFL's policy agenda as an effort to restrict abortion broadly, including in circumstances involving rape, incest, serious fetal conditions, or threats to a woman's health. FFL continues to present itself as an anti-abortion feminist organization focused on changing social conditions so that pregnancy and parenting are more compatible with women's education, work, and civic participation.

• 2007

  Membership figure reported

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  FFL's president reported approximately 26,000 members, including family members in the stated total.

• 2005

  Washington office building closes

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  The Woodward Building, which housed FFL offices among other organizations, closed for conversion to apartments.

• 1996

  College Outreach program launched

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  FFL formalized a national campus initiative offering advocacy materials and promoting support for pregnant and parenting students.

• 1994

  Washington, D.C. reorganization

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  Following MacNair's departure, Serrin Foster led a move and reorganization of the group's operations.

• 1993

  Amicus participation in Bray litigation

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  FFL filed an amicus brief in litigation connected to Operation Rescue's clinic-blockade activities.

• 1984

  Rachel MacNair elected president

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  MacNair began a decade of leadership associated with greater national media and movement visibility.

• 1977

  Operations move to Wisconsin

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  After the founding period, organizational management was transferred to Wisconsin.

• 1974

  Goltz expelled from local NOW chapter

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  Goltz was removed from the Columbus chapter of NOW after disputing the chapter's position on abortion and feminism.

• 1972

  Organization founded in Ohio

  [1]Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org

  Pat Goltz and Cathy Callaghan founded Feminists for Life as an organization opposing abortion from a feminist perspective.

An anti-abortion feminist advocacy organization positioned around the claim that women should be supported in continuing pregnancies through economic, educational, housing, child-care, health-care, and social-policy measures.

• Magazine

  The American Feminist

  A biannual publication produced by Feminists for Life. It presents original and republished material supporting the organization's anti-abortion feminist perspective and its emphasis on social support for women and families.

• Educational and advocacy resources · 1996

  College Outreach materials

  A collection of posters, student-activist kits, residence-adviser resources, counselor materials, library materials, and pregnancy-support information developed for college audiences. The program argues that campus child care, family housing, and maternity-related support can reduce pressure to choose abortion.

• 2005

  Media scrutiny during John Roberts confirmation

  Membership in FFL by Jane Roberts, wife of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, prompted discussion of the organization's anti-abortion position during the confirmation process.

  Source

• 1989

  Dispute over historical claims about early feminists

  FFL promoted claims that early feminists, particularly Susan B. Anthony, opposed abortion. Women's-history specialists disputed the attribution and interpretation of several cited texts.

  Source

Read more

• 2000Question Abortion poster campaign

  United States college campuses

  The organization offered a series of posters challenging abortion-rights arguments and presenting abortion as inconsistent with women's interests.

  Outcome. Critics questioned several posters for selective framing, disputed historical attributions, and positions concerning abortion after rape or incest.

  Source
• 1996College Outreach program

  United States college campuses

  FFL distributed campus-oriented materials and encouraged student institutions to provide child care, housing, health coverage, and other support for pregnant and parenting students.

  Outcome. The initiative became a major component of FFL's public identity and campus advocacy.

  Source
• 1994The Feminist Case Against Abortion

  United States college campuses

  Serrin Foster began visiting college campuses with a presentation arguing that opposition to abortion could be grounded in concern for women's equality and welfare.

  Outcome. The speaking effort was expanded into FFL's formal College Outreach program in 1996.

  Source

• 1999

  Position on rape-related pregnancies under the Violence Against Women ActStrategy

  Background

  FFL sought to apply its anti-abortion position to pregnancies resulting from rape.

  Action taken

  The organization proposed that the Violence Against Women Act should not permit abortions for pregnancies caused by rape.

  Aftermath

  The position contributed to criticism that FFL opposed abortion even in circumstances that many abortion-rights advocates and some feminists regard as exceptional.

  Source

• 1996

  Expansion into college outreachStrategy

  Background

  FFL sought to reach young women and college students by linking opposition to abortion with campus and family-policy proposals.

  Action taken

  The organization expanded Foster's campus speaking into a structured outreach program with educational materials and policy advocacy.

  Aftermath

  College students became a central audience for FFL's public education and recruitment efforts.

  Source

• 1993

  Support for Operation Rescue position in Bray litigationOther

  Background

  The organization participated in legal advocacy connected with Operation Rescue's efforts to blockade abortion clinics.

  Action taken

  FFL filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic.

  Aftermath

  The case became part of the legal debate over civil liability and abortion-clinic blockades.

  Source

• 1990

  Support for partial-birth-abortion bansStrategy

  Background

  FFL participated in anti-abortion legislative advocacy during efforts to enact federal restrictions on a particular abortion procedure.

  Action taken

  The organization supported two congressional attempts in the 1990s to enact a partial-birth-abortion ban.

  Aftermath

  Both measures were vetoed by President Bill Clinton.

  Source

1. 1Feminists for Lifeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Feminists for Life official websitefeministsforlife.org