Faithful Vitae Foundation supporters hung on every word uttered by former U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy at Tuesday night’s sold-out event in Overland Park, Kan. His stories and message of life brought tears to many in the room.
Before Gowdy spoke, Vitae Senior Market Director Stacey Kromer explained that a fundamental rule of marketing is to know your audience. Vitae has invested millions of dollars in psychological research to better understand the mind of the woman considering abortion. Put that proprietary gold mine of information into messaging to women who believe abortion is their only option and lives are changed.
Gowdy agreed. “I want to thank Vitae for messaging in a positive and hopeful way, because I believe that is what is most likely to change the hearts and minds of generations behind mine,” Gowdy said.
Kromer shared a couple of stories from the Kansas City area where women found lifesaving help due to Vitae’s messaging expertise. One story was about a woman we’ll call “Stephanie.”
Stephanie came to Parkville Women’s Clinic looking for an abortion. She told them: “My boyfriend supports me as long as I choose abortion.’ When the nurse discussed abortion, Stephanie flinched. It was too early for an ultrasound, so they scheduled one for two weeks later and gave her prenatal vitamins, just in case. Two weeks later she and her boyfriend came in for the ultrasound and they saw the heartbeat. Stephanie looked at the screen and said, “That’s our baby!”
Kromer shared with the Vitae audience that Sonya Rice, Executive Director of Parkville Women’s Clinic, says they’ve seen a significant increase in growth since collaborating with Vitae. Most of the women they encounter are looking for abortion, which means the ads are working!
“We love Vitae because they are the ONLY pro-life organization who is doing the marketing for free. On top of that, they share their research with the centers. We are so blessed to have this support from Vitae.”
Kromer gave an update on how Vitae’s research will be used to supplement the middle school reproductive health curriculum in the Kansas City, Kansas Archdiocese. In honor of Archbishop Joseph Naumann’s pro-life vision, Vitae wants to combat that Culture of Death by equipping our children with tools to address the pro-death rhetoric.
This research-based handbook will automatically compliment Theology of the Body and other theological-based reproductive health programs.
The goal of the project is to empower our youth to be messengers for a Culture of Life. In addition to learning about reproductive health in a way that relates to this age group, it will also give them the tools to communicate their convictions in a way that will move others—saving lives and families—instead of polarizing them further.
Vitae President Debbie Stokes warned that one of the growing threats to unborn lives and their mothers is by or through the increased online availability of chemical abortion kits, many from overseas suppliers.
The pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute identified 72 websites that provide these drugs directly to the consumer. Only two of the abortion-focused sites required any interaction with a doctor.
“Is this legal? No, not in the U.S., but it certainly happens. There are trials currently being conducted in the U.S. with the goal of making abortion drugs more accessible,” Stokes noted.
With online drugs and more laws going into effect that strengthen abortion up to and past birth, there is still hope, according to Stokes.
“We are blessed to be living now, when God is providing unlimited opportunities for us to join together and put our pro-life beliefs into action,” Stokes stated. With these blessings comes great responsibility, however. Our work is just beginning. The abortion advocates are waging war, and we refuse to let them win.
Trey Gowdy stood before 650 Vitae supporters and urged them help with this fight. He shared stories from his years as a federal prosecutor, gritty stories that helped form his current belief system. In closing, he asked those gathered who care deeply about women and their unborn children to consider where they are in this moment and how will they make a difference in this fight for life.
“What are you willing to do?” Gowdy concluded.
If you were unable to attend the Kansas City event and you would like to help Vitae with its lifesaving mission, please give today. As you read this, thousands of women are looking online for abortion—the action they believe will “solve” their unplanned pregnancy. Help us today so we can REACH HER FIRST!