Our History
The road to realization for a North Carolina chapter of Democrats for Life began after a chat over coffee and a letter on Jan. 7, 2003. On a wintry day in a Washington DC area coffee house, Eva Ritchey met with Kristen Day, executive director of the national Democrats for Life organization to talk about Democrats for Life and the possibilities for that organization in North Carolina.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Ritchey carefully reviewed the beliefs and policies of Democrats for Life and found they were closely aligned with her own. In a letter to Day, Ritchey wrote "Your organization makes it possible for me to change my affiliation from Independent to Democrat which I am doing today. Up until this time, I could not in good conscience identify myself as a Democrat and hold the pro-life conviction which is dear to me...There is a higher law that supercedes man's law. Once we begin to rationalize our accountability to that higher law, then we in effect become gods unto ourselves. And isn't that how we got into trouble in the first place?"
North Carolina, a religiously conservative state has seen the exodus of many pro-life Democrats to other affiliations over the last twenty years. Now, however, the abortion issue is no longer a roadblock. Democrats for Life makes it possible for those who align themselves with the core values of the Democratic Party and cherish all stages of human life to find a valued place within the Party of the People.
The North Carolina chapter of Democrats for Life started organizing in mid 2003. Its first meeting was Feb. 7, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C. There were three persons in attendance: Kathy Hough, Cayce Utley, and Eva Ritchey. NC Pro-Life Democrats has grown to where, at present, there are members in every major city. On August 20, 2005 the first board was formed and the name of the organization was changed from "NC Democrats for Life" to "NC Pro-Life Democrats." NC Pro-Life Democrats was incorporated on Oct. 3, 2005.
The path has not been easy and at times has garnered criticism from certain members of the North Carolina Democratic Party. At the Executive Committee Meeting in Greensboro on August 27, 2005, NC Pro-Life Democrats were rebuffed in their efforts to get abortion language removed from the party platform. However, with the truth, it is not the quantity of the messengers but the quality of the message that will ensure its success. Borrowing from the words of Thomas Jefferson in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, North Carolina Pro-Life Democrats believe they will succeed because "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal and independent; that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life..." from beginning to end.
The time has come for Democrats to address the future. The Democratic Party is the party of inclusion and yet it has marginalized the pro-life voice of the party. It goes beyond fairness to a question of political strategy. Numbers strengthens the party and, therefore, it cannot afford to disenfranchise any democratic group without very good cause. In addition to the 43% of registered Democrats who self-identify as pro-life, there are large numbers of pro-life former Democrats who will find a new home through NC Pro-Life Democrats.
While it is true this issue is highly emotional and divisive, there is common ground for all Democrats to work together to reduce the number of abortions. Even though some passionately believe in a child's right to live while others believe just as passionately in a woman's right to choose abortion, both groups can share the common goals of reducing abortion and strengthening family life. Pro-Life Democrats are Democrats on other issues and should be respected for strongly held beliefs on issues dealing with the beginning and end of life.
Pro-Life Democrats must be respectful of those Democrats who do not share our beliefs on matters of life. The North Carolina chapter of Democrats for Life intends to pursue its growth with a spirit of respect.
Legislative Alert
NC Pro-Life Democrats support HB 263, Victims of Unborn Violence Act
We ask that every pro-life Democrat please contact your representative. For more information:
Contact your representativeLifeNews: North Carolina Needs Unborn Victims Law...
Please call the speaker of the NC House, Joe Hackney, at (919) 733-3451 and the President Pro-Tempore of the NC Senate, Marc Basnight at (919) 733 6854 to ask them to allow the citizens of our state the opportunity to purchase a "Choose Life" license plate. The money raised by the sale of the plate would help fund crisis pregnancy centers.
Upcoming Events
Event: North Carolina Right to Life 35th Anniversary Dinner
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Greensboro, NC
Note: Please join NC Pro-Life Democrats at the NCRTL's 35th
Anniversary Dinner. Special Guests: Wanda Franz, Ph. D and Sentor Elizabeth Dole. For more info, visit: http://ncrtl.org
Past Events
Thanks for joining us at...
Event: State Executive Committee Meeting
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Time: 10:00pm
Place: Hamlet, NC
Note: We will be petitioning for the passage of HB 263, Victims of Unborn Violence Act and the "Choose Life" license plate. For more info, visit: http://ncdp.org
North Carolina Pro-Life Democrats is just one chapter in a large collective of pro-life Democrats.
We are proud affiliates with the national Democrats for Life effort. Find out more about the nationwide effort by going to democratsforlife.org.