By Lydia Bartlett

Editor’s note. Lydia was one of the thirteen members of the 2024 National Right to Life Academy. She shared the following story with Rai Rojas, NRL Director of Outreach.

Hey Rai,

Recently, I was in front of an abortion center handing out information with the ultrasound van. A lady pulled into the lot and pulled out again a few moments later. As she pulled out, she said, “What is that?” pointing to the bag in my hand. I told her it was resources. She said, “I’m not pregnant. I just want to debate.”

So, I smiled and told her I’d be happy to talk. She pulled her car to the side of the road and got out. She said how she thinks what we are doing is horrible.

But then, with tears in her eyes, she admitted going to Planned Parenthood 28 years prior and getting an abortion. She remembers graphic signs of baby’s pulled apart and side walkers tossing pamphlets into people’s open windows and yelling through the fence saying, “you’re murdering your child”. She said she would drive by years later and yell “F*** you” out her window at the people on the sidewalk.

I told her I agreed, that is a horrible method; that’s why our sidewalk group follows a different method, one that is peaceful and approachable (we don’t have graphic signs, etc.). I also shared information about the Post-Abortion retreat with Rachel’s Vineyard, if she was interested.

She also brought up rape, and I was able to share my stance with her. Throughout the conversation I brought up some facts I remembered from the Academy as we talked about the causes of abortion and economic struggles that woman face. We talked for a little over ten minutes, and I’ll tell you, in our discussion we ended up having more in common than not.

It was the best “debate” experience. She listened to me, and visa versa. As she left, she literally said to me and others on the sidewalk “keep doing what you’re doing out here”.

I just felt so excited by that. I’m grateful for my experience at the Academy; it gave me more confidence in debating with people, sharing what we believe and our heart for both women and children. Also, I’m glad to have been able to enter the situation with a calm approach, and to have found common ground with her. I don’t think she was expecting either of those things.

Plus, lo-and-behold, like you said in the Academy, many of these women are hurting from abortions they’ve had years ago, and we have to remember that as we talk to them. That was in fact the case with her.

Thanks so much Rai for your investment in this area throughout the Academy in teaching us how to have respectful and factual discussions with people. I know not all debates will end so peacefully, but I’m so thankful that this one was favorable.

Have a great day!!

Lydia