Three years ago this month, we celebrated a shining moment in West Virginia’s legacy: the passage of the Unborn Child Protection Act.
As the second state to enact pro-life protections after the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, we’re grateful to our state legislature for paving the way to make West Virginia one of the best places for mothers and families to raise their children.
In the three years since our lifesaving law went into effect, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to be here for our littlest Mountaineers – and their mothers.
Abortion has never and will never help a woman escape an abusive relationship. Abortion has never and will never help a woman who is behind on rent and fears she won’t have a safe shelter for herself and her baby.
Nearly 70% of women with a history of abortion describe their abortions as inconsistent with their own values and preferences, with one in four describing their abortions as unwanted or coerced. Despite the abortion industry’s claims that abortion gives women a choice, the majority of women feel like they never had one. Pressured by an abusive partner, shipped dangerous abortion drugs in the mail, left to take the abortion drug in her home, isolated and alone without follow up care – this is the reality of the so-called “choice” the abortion industry claims to offer.
Women deserve better. And that’s why we’re here – we meet her wherever she is and offer her real options, real hope, and real support.
Each day, we see countless life-affirming providers, passionate individuals, and local leaders step up to serve. These individuals support vulnerable moms with the hope and help they deserve – so they don’t have to resort to abortion. And each day, we are encouraged by stories of hope. Stories about women choosing life, mothers being reunited with their children, and families receiving the support they desperately need.
In these last three years, West Virginians have hosted baby showers for struggling mothers. Pregnancy centers and maternity homes, dedicated to serving moms and babies, met critical needs for emotional and material support and provided housing and transportation assistance. In the New River Gorge region, a community member with a heart for moms and babies has opened a brand-new pregnancy center. Local businesses donated new flooring and over 15 volunteers helped to paint the center’s rooms and prepare it to be a beautiful and welcoming place of refuge for vulnerable moms facing unexpected pregnancies.
Walking With Moms in Need, a nationwide, parish-based initiative to increase support for vulnerable pregnant and parenting mothers, has been here for her. This ministry ensures that any woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant or parenting in difficult circumstances can turn to her local Catholic Church and connect with the resources she needs. Volunteers are here to walk with moms throughout their journey of motherhood, offering tangible, ongoing support and authentic friendship.
The nearly 6,000 life-affirming providers and resources on Her PLAN’s Directory – with over 260 of them right here in West Virginia – have been here for her by providing quality, life-affirming support across seven categories of care, including mental health support, childcare, food and nutrition assistance, job training, medical care, and so much more.
We’ve always been here for her, and we’re not going anywhere.
As long as vulnerable mothers and their children need us, we will be here. It’s who we are as Mountaineers: we’re compassionate, we’re resilient, and we’ll never stop standing in the gap to give our littlest Mountaineers a chance at life and to empower their mothers with the support they need to achieve their dreams.
So, as we celebrate three years of West Virginia’s lifesaving law, we also look to the days and years ahead with hope as we renew our commitment to moms and babies: we’ll always be here for you, no matter what.
Born and raised in West Virginia, Kayla Kessinger is State Program Director for Her PLAN, an initiative of SBA Pro-Life America Education Fund to connect and grow communities of support for moms and their babies. She previously served as a Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2015-2022.
A West Virginia native, Kathy Barton is the Director for Social Ministry for Walking With Moms in Need in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. She is passionate about encouraging parishes to engage with the Walking With Moms in Need ministry, an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Currently, Kathy also chairs the board of directors for the West Virginia Mothers and Babies Support Program.
