Does Feminism Have Room for Pro Life Women?

In modern times, there is no more complex or divisive issue than that of a woman’s right to choose for her own body. Abortion in America rallies people together in large groups, regardless of what side they believe in. Of American women, according to Gallup Polls, 54% self identify as Pro Choice, while 46% identify as Pro Life. Generally, it is fair to say that the consensus is very unclear about this issue. Thousands of American women have rallied to take down the “murderous” Roe v. Wade at the annual “March for Life”. Thousands more too have gathered at numerous rallies to protect the same piece of legislation.

Notably, groups gathered for the 2017 Women’s March and “Day Without a Woman” events, advocating for both more protection and expansion of the bill. At the same time, it is important to remember one critical fact: women’s issues span more than just the right to choose. Women across the board are advocating for more than just this single issue. Problems such as the Pink Tax on personal goods, representation in STEM fields, pay discrimination, Paid Family leave, etc. are also equally important to the modern feminist movement. To disavow a women’s organization that works for some of the aforementioned problems, but identifies as Pro Life, is not fair. In the mission statement for The Women’s March on Washington, the organizers’ position is that “women’s rights are human rights … recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.” However, a controversy started because New Wave Feminists, a Pro Life group, applied to become an official partner for the march. They would have been on the website, brought more people, banners, money, energy, etc. Organizers in charge initially granted the request to join. One organizer, Bob Bland, said that “We must not just talk about feminism as one issue, like access to reproductive care”. She furthered “Perhaps the Women’s March on Washington is a sign that feminism is changing”. Bland was spot on that it is important to be inclusive. Inter-sectional feminism is crucial to making sure all voices are heard. It is hard for the event, and the movement in general to maintain support if there are not enough people. Imagine how many more resources the movement could have if they just included those who agree with us on everything else. But, word spread that this group was Pro Life, the organizers received social media backlash, and the invitation was rescinded. 

If feminism wants to accomplish such feats as ending the pay gap, etc, it is going to take more than just the tools at hand in the status quo. There needs to be an effort to reach out, not exclude even more potential members of the movement. Obviously, abortion is going to be the issue that creates an ideological rift between the two brands of feminism. However, for the time being, it is not fair to let one issue dictate the potential progress that could be made on the many others.