Nellie Gray listened to the breaking news, not believing her ears.
How is this possible? she wondered. Surely everyone agrees that slavery was wrong, treating men, women, and children as less than human. And have we already forgotten the horrors of Nazi Germany, where revolting experiments were performed on babies?
Nellie’s thoughts transported her back to the days of World War II, when she served as a corporal in the Woman’s Army Corps. And though nearly thirty years had passed since Nazi war criminals faced a panel of judges at the Nuremberg Trials, the atrocities revealed at that time remained fresh in her mind.
Nellie bristled. How can our Supreme Court sanction another atrocity against innocent victims?
And she began to consider what might be done to reverse the decision of Roe vs. Wade, handed down on January 22, 1973.
Not long after a group from Long Island, already involved in the right-to-life movement, asked Nellie to host a meeting in her home. They desired to expand their local efforts to the national stage. “You live near the Capitol—it’s the perfect location,” the spokesperson explained.
Later Nellie would quip, “Be careful who you let into your dining room because you may wind up being the president of a corporation.”[1]
The group first met in October 1973, and someone presented the idea of a march, to be held in Washington D. C. on the first anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. They hoped to draw thousands of people, which would urge Congress to overturn the court’s decision.
Nellie was asked to arrange for speakers, because of her contacts in and around Washington as a federal lawyer. The one role she was unable to fill was emcee, so Nellie provided that function herself.
The event did raise awareness, as twenty thousand people gathered in Washington, and peacefully marched twenty-one blocks on Constitution Avenue to the steps of the Supreme Court Building.
It was supposed to be a one-time-event.
“We thought we were going to march one time and Congress would certainly pay attention to 20,000 people coming in the middle of winter to tell them to overturn Roe vs. Wade,” Nellie said.[2]
But their expectation proved erroneous. And because there were leftover funds after the ‘74 event, someone suggested holding another march the following year.
Nellie decided to retire from practicing law and established the March for Life and Education Defense Fund, dedicating the rest of her life to the pro-life cause. She and the vice-president, Terrence Scanlon, took no salaries; Nellie ran the organization from her home.
As the decades passed, support for their cause continued to grow. In recent years, well over 100,000 have participated in the March for Life, enduring the cold and even snow to draw attention to the plight of unborn babies. In 2011, fifty-three members of Congress spoke at the March for Life Rally.
Also important to the cause: neonatal research, proving fetuses develop much more rapidly than we knew in 1973. For example:
- Within the first few weeks, the beginnings of a face become apparent.
- The heartbeat can be heard at 6 weeks.
- The neural tube (brain, spinal cord, and other neural tissue of the central nervous system) is well formed at 8 weeks.
- Fingers and toes are easily distinguishable by 11 weeks.
- Thumb-sucking has been photographed at 18 weeks.
Of course, Nellie Gray and the March for Life participants have been criticized for their stand against abortion. But she explained her position this way:
“God Almighty created man and woman in his own image, and we recognize that. The United States Constitution recognizes that human beings are endowed with a right to life. We must carry out our patriotism and our love of God through such events.”[3]
In 1998, Nellie asserted the eventual overturn of Roe vs. Wade. “I have complete, utter faith that we are going to get this,” she said.[4]
Nellie Gray led every March for Life through 2012, with undaunted enthusiasm and conviction. But in August of that year, at age 88, she died of natural causes in her home.
I’ve often wondered if good news from Earth becomes known in heaven. If so, might Nellie know what happened last week–that ten years after her arrival in heaven, a giant step has been taken here toward the right-to-life of unborn babies, that her faith is being rewarded and her conviction is becoming fact?
I’d like to think so.
Notes
[1]https://religionnews.com/1998/01/15/news-profile-nellie-gray-25-years-behind-the-march-for-life/
[2] https://religionnews.com/2012/08/14/march-for-life-leader-nellie-gray-dead-at-88/
[3] https://heavy.com/news/2017/01/nellie-gary-march-for-life-founder-biography-anti-abortion-pro-life-quotes-2017-date/
[4] https://religionnews.com/1998/01/15/news-profile-nellie-gray-25-years-behind-the-march-for-life/
Other Sources:
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.wikipedia.org; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.canva.com.
From the Inside Out 
Nellie’s story is new to me, and what a grand one it is, Nancy! Yes, I do hope she has heard to word in Heaven. I think Jesus would make sure she knows her earthly mission was not in vain.
Blessings!
When Nellie first turned up on my radar several months ago, one thing and then another kept me from writing a “Heroes of the Faith” post about her. Little did I know what was coming that would make her story all the more grand to us! Blessings to you also, Martha!
I had not heard of Nellie’s story either, Nancy. EXCELLENT post. Thank you.
Thank you, Shelley. I’m so glad you enjoyed learning about Nellie. I did too!
I enjoyed reading about Nellie’s story and thought what a great day it will be in Heaven when we all get to meet her and thank her for her efforts on behalf of the lives of the babies who will be saved.
So many heroes to meet and so many stories to hear when we’re altogether in heaven! With no time constraints, we’ll be able to savor every single one!
Hi Nancy, I had not heard of Nellie’s story either. What a great lady!! I am sure she already knows about the overturning of a barbaric law. God said he knew us when we were in the womb and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Made in God’s image! Thank you for another enlightening story.
You’re welcome, Sam. I love Psalm 139 too. So many uplifting verses; 13 & 14 are certainly among them!
You were so correct Nancy! Those were the two verses I was trying to remember. Keep up these intriguing stories. Sam
Thank you, Sam!
Thank you for sharing this. Much of these details I did not know. Praise God for this progress we made. This story shows us that we shouldn’t give up. We should keep fighting the good fight, as we expectantly wait on the Lord to move.
You are so right, Bridget. Nellie is another stellar example of perseverance, especially in circumstances that had to be difficult and disappointing as the years went by.
I was unaware of Nellie Gray and her story. It is amazing what can be
accomplished from a small meeting in a dining room. I am so glad she answered the call to save the unborn, created in the image of God. Thank you for sharing, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Pam. Who was it that said, “Little is much if God is in it?” What Nellie Gray and those around her accomplished certainly speaks to that truth!
I’m so thankful that you shared this story, Nancy. Nellie was certainly used by God for such a time as this. And each of us can be used during these times as well if we are only obedient and willing to be used by God.
You’re welcome, Patty, and you are so right. We might not be called to plan a march for 150,000 people in Washington, but each of us does have a unique and vital purpose in God’s kingdom! One example: all the prayer warriors behind the March for Life movement. They may not have been able to travel to Washington, but they filled an important role too! I heard a pastor once say, “If we knew how much difference prayer makes, we’d spend a lot more time on our knees!” Strong truth in that, I think.
Fun fact: The Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade came on June 24, the day before what would have been Nellie Gray’s 98th birthday.
Oh my goodness–how about that! Can you imagine an angel knocking on Nellie’s door up in heaven to tell her God has a birthday gift for her? Thank you for sharing that interesting info, Bob!
Nancy,
She made her impact and she will meet many saved souls because of her actions.
Thanks,
Gary
That’s right, Gary!
A wonderful foundation story Nancy. I shall remember Nellie Gray and her story.
I have often wondered about those whose life’s work came true after they were gone.
So you’re a wonderer too, Gary! Nice to have company. Also glad you found wonder in Nellie’s story. SHE must have been a wonder, with God as her strength and help to accomplish such a monumental task–year after year!
Thank you, Nancy, so much for sharing Nellie’s story. Thankful for her perseverance!!❤️
You’re welcome, Alicia. Nellie Gray must have been as tenacious as the come!
This is the first time that I have heard of Nellie Gray and her wonderfully persistent efforts to support the rights of infants in the womb by initiating the Right to Life movement. It occurs to me that we may not see the successful outcome of our prayers during our lifetimes but God is faithful and I, too, would like to believe that ten years after her arrival in Heaven she is well aware and rejoicing that Roe vs Wade has at last been overturned by the Supreme Court.
Indeed, Nellie’s story teaches us that lesson too, that we may not see the successful outcome of our prayers during our lifetimes. But! We are NEVER without hope (1 Corinthians 13:13)! Thank God for that.
Let’s see, about 15% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Which is nature’s abortion, which is therefore God’s abortion. And some miscarriages happen in the ninth month of pregnancy. And about 30% of embryos die before becoming a fetus, which is why it often takes several months for a couple to be aware that “they” are indeed pregnant. And, worldwide, about 3,000 babies a day die on the day they’re born due to being born premature, and hundreds more will die within the following month for the same reason. So, if the Christian God does exist, he is a baby murdering lunatic. And everything that I’ve stated can easily be verified online. So it’s always strange to see people who are opposed to abortion on the grounds that their personal invisible deity in the sky would supposedly condemn it, when in fact quite the opposite is true….And of course the Iron Age God of War in the Old Testament is a mass murdering lunatic anyway, so we know THAT GOD certainly has no problem with killing babies…….
Thank you, Ken, for taking the time to comment. It seems fitting that on Independence Day weekend you and I are exercising our freedom to express differing views! May we as a nation never lose that constitutional right. / I also appreciate the information you included in your comments. Whole books have been written that address your concerns about Christianity and a God who allows suffering. I’d recommend The Case for Faith and The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. He was legal editor for The Chicago Tribune and an atheist. But his wife became a Christian and he couldn’t help notice how different she was—in a good way. He decided to investigate: Could Jesus be who he said he was? Is the Christian faith to be taken seriously? He interviewed top intellectuals and specialists in their fields, asked the tough questions, and received some surprising answers. I think you’d appreciate his scholarly approach.
i always learn something when you share these historical notes with us, Nancy. i realize how little i know and how much there is yet to learn.
I didn’t know anything about Nellie Gray either. Some time ago I jotted her name on my list of “seed-ideas”, but don’t remember now where it came from. I always enjoy researching for these historical posts; I’m delighted you and a number of other followers enjoy reading them! We benefit greatly from the examples of those who’ve gone before us!
Thank you Nancy for introducing me to Nellie Gray! I like many who commented previously no idea about the story behind March for Life. What an incredible legacy she has left and may her work continue to inspire the next generation to choose life.
How delightful for me to be able to introduce you to Nellie Gray, Beth. She did leave us an incredible legacy of courage, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.
My heart is so moved by your post of Nellie’s story as it emphasizes and confirms the truth of Luke 18:1-8 where “persistence” and “patience” prevail, reflecting the character of God, Who is “persistent and patient” in His love for all. Thank you for sharing this historical account. Blessings!
You’re welcome, GWTU. Praise God he brought Nellie to my attention. I too was inspired by her story! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment!