About Us

Iowans for L.I.F.E.

Over 30 years ago, a group of concerned Iowans gathered in a meeting room of Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa to form the first state-wide pro-life organization in Iowa's history.  Many of us had been working in our individual communities and had formed local organizations to educate the public on the life issues of abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.  All were illegal at that time, but strident, liberal, feminist groups were organizing across the country to challenge legislatures and the courts to change history.

Eight pro-life organizations from Des Moines, Ames, Dubuque, Sheldon-Hospers, Clinton, Sioux City, Waterloo and Cedar Rapids were represented that day.  We were men and women of different religious beliefs, professions and political parties - all united in one basic belief - the right to life for ALL.

We chose Iowans for L.I.F.E. (Life is For Everyone).  Our choice was to reflect our concern for all human life from conception until natural death.  We were not strictly an anti-abortion group.  Our concerns were to be directed to the unborn, disabled and elderly.

We saw the need to unite our eight individual groups into a state wide organization to be united in one voice and better able to lobby our cause at the Iowa State Capitol.  We began to gather signatures for a petition to our state legislators to retain our 115 year old Iowa law that forbade abortion.  Feminist groups had initiated legislation to remove it.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled on a very important case, the Roe VS. Wade decision.  Abortion-on-demand right up until the day of delivery was now decided solely by a woman and her doctor.

Needless to say, we were devastated!  Do we go home? Do we give up? However, the anger, disappointment and disbelief awakened and energized us all - including much of the general population who either did not know or hear of the warnings we'd been issuing.  By the end of the month, IFL grew from 8 to 11 affiliates.

We had nearly 30 affiliates the following June when our founder Carolyn Thompson went to Detroit to meet with representatives from other states to begin a national organization, as indeed this now was a national concern.  Iowans For L.I.F.E. was the founding organization of Iowa in forming the National Right to Life Committee in Detroit in June of 1973.  In January of 1974, as National Director from Iowa, she was proud to present our Senator, Harold Hughes, to the thousands of marchers at the U.S. Capitol for the first annual March for Life.  Senator Hughes was the co-sponsor of the Human Life Amendment.

Our crusade has continued for over 30 years.  Despite the fact that Planned Parenthood employs often 6 or more highly paid, multi-client, lawyer lobbyists - our volunteer lobbyists have stood toe to toe and battled them successfully for years.

Major legislation credited to our organization has Conscience Clause (protecting healthcare personnel from participating in abortion), Feticide Section of the Criminal Code, suspension of tax money to be used to pay for abortions, and most recently in march of 1996, Terry Branstad signed a new law which would provide criminal penalties for anyone assisting in a suicide.  This legislation was drafted and spearheaded by Iowans For L.I.F.E.

The original make-up of the Board of Directors consisted largely of members of the medical and legal profession.  Doctors and nurses were among the first to deal directly with the life issues and challenges to them.  Therefore, in the early years, we embarked on campaigns to educate the general public in the areas of fetal development and the humanity of the unborn.  The debate then shifted to the quality of life and if that child was to be considered "worthy" of life, to the recent challenges to the elderly, infirm, and disabled where assisted suicide is suggested as the only humane solution.  Chemical abortions have arrived and now more than ever, Iowans For L.I.F.E. must redouble its efforts to do what is does best and the for purpose we originally organized.  EDUCATE!

Iowans For L.I.F.E. became a force to be recognized, educationally and politically, and our efforts on behalf of the unborn, handicapped and elderly have been effective.  It is true that there have been times of frustration.  The past 30 years have shown us that it is not easy -  we'll have to fight for everything we get and then fight even harder to keep it.  But we have the staying power to win and we are committed to stay with it until we reestablish the right to life for all.

Iowans for L.I.F.E. main areas of activity...

Iowa State Fair.   IFL has participated in the Iowa State Fair since the early 1970's.  We started with a small booth under the grandstands and eventually acquired a permanent spot in the Varied Industries Building.  The state fair is one of the yearly activities we use to promote a Culture of Life.  We normally have around 5000 people stopping by the booth during the 10 day run of the fair. We have Pro-life tattoos which draw in the children, fetal models, and tons and tons of pro-life literature.  We also have a 10 point quiz for adults to test their knowledge of the abortion laws and practices in our country. This year we added a wonderful paper for adults to help them speak with their children about sex.  This has been very well received.  We always have petitions available which we use to try and convince our State legislature to be Pro-life. Our teen bags, filled with appropriate information for teenagers are always a big draw.

 

Des Moines Black Expo and Latino Festivals.  This past year, IFL has been asked to partake in the Black Expo and Latino Festivals held in Des Moines.  We are so excited about these opportunities.  Especially when we see that the Planned Parenthood industries target lower income and minority groups to promote abortions and their so called sex education.  Most abortion clinics are purposely located in lower income neighborhoods. We are able to give out materials explaining the Culture of Life vs. Culture of Death.  Education is always the main ingredient in presenting the pro-life way of life.

 

Virtue Media.   In 2007, Iowans for L.I.F.E. raised over $40,000.00 for a television advertising campaign directed by Virtue Media.  These very well made ads were shown in central Iowa last fall with fantastic  results.  All the pro-life ads were aimed at older teenagers and adults in their twenties.  The ads were played on the cable stations where research shows this age group is more inclined to watch. We also did some advertising on local news channels.   Because Virtue Media can track every phone call for help and then follow up with the caller, they found that over 200 mothers chose life for their babies after calling the crisis hotline number posted in these ads during these 2 months. In addition, 130 post-abortive women called seeking help and healing.    We are once again trying to raise money for more ads this fall in other areas of the state.

 

DC Bus trip.   Since  1993, IFL has sponsored bus trips to Washington DC for the Annual March for Life and Rally.  The March produces  hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators marching down Constitution Avenue in DC to the steps of the Supreme Court to petition the Court to reverse its Roe vs.. Wade decision of 1973. This is one of the highlights of our year and the trip is proving to be especially popular with high school pro-life groups from around the state.

 

Capitol Prayer Rally .  Every year Iowans for L.I.F.E. helps sponsor a prayer service at the Iowa State Capitol to ask God for mercy on our State for it's approval of abortion and fetal stem cell research laws.  We use this opportunity to speak with our legislators concerning our lack of laws protecting the most innocent of our State.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

Rose Review.  IFL produces four Rose Review publications a year. This newsletter is sent to anyone who wishes to receive it, free of charge.  The newsletter raises awareness of pro-life activities across our state, gives updates on legislative action in pro-life areas, and offers news stories concerning pro-life works in the country.

 

40 Days for Life.  This campaign takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion in America. 40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program Prayer and fasting ,Constant vigil ,Community outreach .

 

Iowans for L.I.F.E. website.  iowansforlife.org    Our up to date web site gives a variety of information in all areas of the pro-life work.  From abortion alternatives to post abortive healing services and information on fetal stem cell research and euthanasia, this web site has it all. It also includes testimonies from women affected by their abortions decisions.

 

Iowans for L.I.F.E. is totally reliant on the donations of the pro-life community. Anyone wishing to donate may send donations to Iowans for LIFE, 1818 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310 

If you need information , please call 1-800-727-2435 or (515) 255-4113  and speak with our executive director, Maggie DeWitte or our President, Steve Tatz.