We Can Do More

Audra Nakas, Class of 2015, Psychology
September 27, 2012
Filed under Quill

On Wednesday night, CUA Students for Life welcomed Serrin Foster of Feminists for Life as a guest speaker.  About eighty students, both pro-life and pro-choice, gathered to listen to her landmark speech, “The Feminist Case against Abortion,” in which she explained why true feminism is pro-life.

Like the earliest American feminists, Foster contends that while women are responsible for their actions, those who choose abortion do so because they do not have the resources or the emotional support to raise a child—they believe that they have no choice. Foster explained that unfortunately, the abortion debate often pits women against their own children, resulting in a lack of productive problem solving.

Foster’s organization has worked with both pro-life and pro-choice individuals and organizations to address the underlying causes of abortion.  FFL has successfully fought for government legislation and grassroots action that benefits both mothers and their children and compels fathers to be responsible for their children as well.

Foster also pointed out that most college campuses offer few resources for pregnant students and often automatically refer them to abortion clinics.  In response to this reality she created the Women Deserve Better® campaign to help college women continue their education during pregnancy, and also while parenting, if they decide to raise their children.

CUA Students for Life believes that while Catholic University is an exceptionally caring community, we can do more to ensure that no student ever feels compelled to have an abortion because she has nowhere to turn. Last spring, Students for Life officers began talks with the University administration about finding ways to accommodate pregnant and parenting students on campus.

While plans are still in the early stages, the goal is to create a central location where students can go for help and information on continuing their education at CUA and exploring different parenting and adoption options.  In the meantime, we’d like to highlight some of the resources that CUA already offers.

First, free pregnancy testing is available at Student Health Services, and the University’s student health insurance covers both pre and postnatal care.  Second, Housing Services has an advisor to assist students looking for a place to stay.

Finally, Campus Ministry can offer both emotional and spiritual support, and CUA Students for Life would be more than happy to assist informally.  All services are confidential. Students for Life would also like to thank pro-choice students who came to the speaker event and engaged in respectful dialogue with Serrin Foster and with pro-life peers.

The gathering Wednesday night made clear that pro-life and pro-choice students share many goals, including the systematic elimination of circumstances that lead to demand for abortion.  We welcome any input from the CUA community about how we can foster a pro-life and pro-family culture on campus. For more information, go to nest.cua.edu/organization/life and feministsforlife.org.