Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America

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Susan B. Anthony List
Formation1992
HeadquartersArlington, Virginia
President
Marjorie Dannenfelser
Websitehttp://www.sba-list.org

The Susan B. Anthony List, also known as the SBA List, is a 501(c)(4) non-profit,[1] non-partisan[2] organization that seeks to advance pro-life politicians,[3] primarily women,[4] through its connected SBA List Candidate Fund political action committee,[5] with the "ultimate goal of ending abortion" in the United States.[6] It has over 280,000 members as of 2010,[7][8] and its activists sent over 1,500,000 letters to Congress in 2009.[9] It has seen a 50% increase in activity over the past two years.[10] The group endorses pro-life female candidates, and pro-life male candidates running against pro-choice female candidates.[11]

They plan to spend $6 million for the 2010 elections[12] and thus far have endorsed eight candidates for Senate, 18 for the House of Representatives, three for governor, and two for attorney general.

History

According to the official website, the SBA List was founded by Jane Abraham and Marjorie Dannenfelser in 1992 after the "Year of the Woman" produced "nothing but pro-abortion women elected to Congress". The women were upset that all but two congresswomen were pro-choice. Dannenfelser had been ardently pro-choice but became pro-life while in college.[13]

It was originally created as just a political action committee, but in 1997 it was reincorporated as a 501(c)(4) called the Susan B. Anthony List, with a connected PAC called the SBA List Candidate Fund.[14]

The SBA List has outspent one of its pro-choice counterparts, the National Organization for Women, in every election cycle since 1996.[15] It is seen by many as the pro-life counterpart to EMILY's List.

Susan B. Anthony and early feminist connection

The name of the organization stems from the belief by its founders that suffragist Susan B. Anthony opposed abortion. This topic has been subject to a long-running dispute about Anthony's views on abortion, the degree of importance with which she regarded the issue, and the relevance of today's issues to the ones faced by Anthony in the 19th century.

Pro-lifers cite an 1869 essay about abortion published in her newspaper, The Revolution, that referred to abortion as "child-murder" and included the following: "Guilty? Yes, no matter what the motive, love of ease, or a desire to save from suffering the unborn innocent, the woman is awfully guilty who commits the deed. It will burden her conscience in life, it will burden her soul in death; but oh! thrice guilty is he who, for selfish gratification, heedless of her prayers, indifferent to her fate, drove her to the desperation which impelled her to the crime."[16] The piece was signed simply "A". Ann D. Gordon, director of The Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Papers Project at Rutgers University, says there is no proof she wrote that piece, and that none of the 14,000 documents[17] the project has examined were written by Anthony and signed "A.",[18][19] though she was known to sign "S.B.A." and was affectionately referred to as "Miss A." by others.[20] Others note that the author of the essay felt laws against abortion would not solve the problem and instead advocated for fighting the root causes of abortion.[21] The executive committee at The Revolution refused to publish "quack or immoral advertisements"[22] for alcohol-laden patent medicines[18][23] including abortifacients[24] in the newspaper.

In a 2010 Washington Post piece, Dannenfelser cites other early feminists, such as Anthony's partner Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who referred to abortion as "infanticide" in The Revolution and wrote a letter saying, "When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit."[25] She notes that Victoria Woodhull, the first female presidential candidate in the U.S., told the Wheeling, West Virginia Evening Standard newspaper in 1875 that "Every woman knows that if she were free, she would never bear an unwished-for child, nor think of murdering one before its birth."[26] Dannenfelser refers to a fourth early feminist, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female physician, who recorded in her diary her thoughts about Madame Restell, an early 19th-century abortionist: "The gross perversion and destruction of motherhood by the abortionist filled me with indignation, and awakened active antagonism. That the honorable term 'female physician' should be exclusively applied to those women who carried on this shocking trade seemed to me a horror. It was an utter degradation of what might and should become a noble position for women."[27] Finally, the organization also cites suffragist Alice Paul,[28] who authored the original Equal Rights Amendment, who said, "Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women."[29]

In 2006, Carol Crossed, a pro-life feminist and advisory board member of the SBA List,[30] purchased the property where Anthony was born.[31] Crossed transformed the house into the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, which includes an exhibit on Restellism, a popular 19th-century term used to describe abortion in reference to Madame Restell.[24] The museum's opening in February 2010 sparked controversy, and a website, susanbanthonymuseum.com, was started by pro-choice opponents of the museum.[32] When asked by a local newspaper if the museum would become a platform for a pro-life agenda, Crossed said, "The pro-life views expressed in Anthony's newspaper, The Revolution, will not be excluded from the exhibition. This vision represented a very small part of Anthony's life, and while it will be presented, it will not be an overwhelming theme of the birthplace. Anthony's own anti-abortion stance is mentioned in just one of the museum's 10 exhibits."[33]

Gordon says that "comparing the debate over abortion today with the debate that was taking place in the 19th century is misleading."[3] Gordon, basing her stance on 30 years of research,[citation needed] wrote of Anthony that "she never voiced an opinion about the sanctity of fetal life ... and she never voiced an opinion about using the power of the state to require that pregnancies be brought to term."[3] Dannenfelser recasts the argument in terms of life, observing that "there has been a shift back to the traditional roots of a Susan B. Anthony feminism that empowers women through their strength to give life even in the most difficult and unexpected circumstances."[25]

2008–2010

The group has gained renewed attention because of the 2008 presidential election after the nomination of then-Governor Sarah Palin for vice president. They had endorsed her 2006 run for governor.[34] They embraced her candidacy for vice president, and started a social networking site called "Team Sarah", which is "dedicated to advancing the values that Sarah Palin represents in the political process."

One current project is called "Votes Have Consequences", headed up by former congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, which is aimed at defeating vulnerable candidates who did not vote pro-life on key issues, such as health care reform.[35] Under this project the group bypassed their female candidate requirements and endorsed Dan Coats of Indiana for Senate against Rep. Brad Ellsworth, who voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[36]

In September 2009, the group endorsed Conservative Party of New York candidate Doug Hoffman over the Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava, saying Scozzafava is an "abortion radical who does not represent the views of the growing majority of pro-life American women."[37]

In January 2010 they launched a "Block Hard for Tebow" campaign in support of star quarterback Tim Tebow, who came under fire from pro-choice groups like NOW for starring in a pro-life commercial for Focus on the Family that aired during the Super Bowl.[38]

The organization was involved in trying to keep abortion coverage out of health care reform.[39] They had targeted Senator Bob Casey to ensure abortion is not covered in H.R. 3590.,[40][41] and were involved in lobbying for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to H.R. 3962[42] The group blasted Sen. Ben Nelson for what they say was a fake compromise on abortion in H.R. 3590,[43] and condemned the Christmas Eve passage of the Senate bill.[44]

The group had planned to honor Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) at its March gala, but after Stupak's last minute deal on H.R. 3590 that Barack Obama would issue an executive order banning federal funding for abortion under the bill,[45] Stupak was stripped of his "Defender of Life Award," which he was supposed to receive three days later at their gala.[46][47] "We were planning to honor Congressman Stupak for his efforts to keep abortion-funding out of health care reform. We will no longer be doing so," Dannenfelser said. "Let me be clear: any representative, including Rep. Stupak, who votes for this health care bill can no longer call themselves 'pro-life.'"[48] No one received the award in his place, and Dannenfelser instead used the occasion to condemn Stupak.[49] The group also dropped its plans to help Stupak fend off a primary challenge[50] from Connie Saltonstall, who is running on a pro-choice platform.[51]

In May 2010 the organization hosted a breakfast with an appearance and abortion-focused keynote address from Palin.[52][53] Over 500 people attended the event and heard Palin speak about the pro-life movement and other issues affecting women.[54][55] Palin also spoke about finding out her son, Trig, had Down syndrome, saying she didn't think she could handle raising a special needs child, but realized "God knows what he's doing" when he was born.[56] The event was the group's second in two months to feature a prominent governor (Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty spoke at their gala in March 2010).[57][58]

2010 endorsements

For the 2010 elections, the SBA List has endorsed 38 candidates thus far,[59] including eight for Senate, 25 for the House, three for governor, one for lieutenant governor, and two for attorney general. This includes 29 women and nine men.

The organization is focusing particularly strongly on the California Senate race where Carly Fiorina is running against Senator Barbara Boxer.[60] They gave $200,000 to Fiorina during the primary and expect to give another $1 million in the general election campaign.[61] They are launching a $100,000 independent expenditure campaign to reach out to pro-life Hispanic voters in the state.[62][63]

Other notable endorsements include Sharron Angle, running against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (they had originally endorsed Angle's primary opponent, Sue Lowden,[64] but endorsed Angle after she won the primary[65]), Christine O'Donnell in the Republican primary against Rep. Mike Castle for Vice President Joe Biden's old Senate seat,[66] and Rep. Michelle Bachmann,[67] whom they have supported in the past.

See also

References

  1. ^ GuideStar: Susan B. Anthony List non-profit status
  2. ^ Stupak 'More Optimistic' Abortion Fight Will End
  3. ^ a b c Stevens, Allison (2006-10-06). "Susan B. Anthony's Abortion Position Spurs Scuffle". Women's eNews. Retrieved 2009-11-21. "...Susan B. Anthony List, a political action committee in Alexandria, Va., that works to boost anti-choice candidates for state and federal office".
  4. ^ Electing - Susan B. Anthony List
  5. ^ History of SBA List
  6. ^ "SBA List Mission: Advancing, Mobilizing and Representing Pro-Life Women". Susan B. Anthony List. 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  7. ^ After health care fight, Stupak ponders legacy, future out of public life
  8. ^ Lowden Picks Up Key Endorsements in Nevada Senate Race
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ Health Bill Revives Abortion Groups
  11. ^ SBA List endorsement process
  12. ^ For GOP women, 2010 may not be their year (Los Angeles Times)
  13. ^ Woman who supported abortion rights experienced evolution that changed her mind
  14. ^ History of SBA List
  15. ^ Under Obama, Abortion Rights Advocates Try To Build Steam
  16. ^ The Revolution, July 8, 1869
  17. ^ "Documentary Editing: What Is It and Why Is It Needed?". The Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Papers Project. Rutgers University. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  18. ^ a b Susan B. Anthony Museum
  19. ^ Sherr, Lynn; Gordon, Ann D. (May 21, 2010). "Sarah Palin is no Susan B. Anthony". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  20. ^ Derr, Mary Krane (2005). Pro-Life Feminism: Yesterday and Today. Feminism & Nonviolence Studies Association. p. 413. ISBN 1413495761.
  21. ^ Schiff, Stacy (2006-10-13). "Desperately Seeking Susan". New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  22. ^ Clark, Cat. "Susan B. Anthony's Revolution". Feminism Course. Feminsts for Life. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  23. ^ Streitmatter, Rodger (2001). Voices of revolution: the dissident press in America. Columbia University Press. pp. 40, 51. ISBN 0231122497. "Unlike other editors of the day, Stanton refused to accept advertisements for patent medicines—she called them "quack remedies"—because she believed that the unregulated elixirs contained so much alcohol they were dangerous."
  24. ^ a b Stevens, Allison (October 6, 2006). "Susan B. Anthony's Abortion Position Spurs Scuffle". Women's eNews. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  25. ^ a b Susan B. Anthony: Pro-life feminist
  26. ^ Ibid.
  27. ^ Ibid.
  28. ^ SBA List -- Early Suffragists
  29. ^ BBC Abortion and the early feminists
  30. ^ SBA List Advisory Committee
  31. ^ Pro-Life Feminist Purchases Birthplace of Susan B. Anthony
  32. ^ Ibid.
  33. ^ Susan B. Anthony museum opens today amidst abortion controversy
  34. ^ Pro-Life Groups Excited John McCain Picks Sarah Palin, Both Oppose Abortion
  35. ^ Musgrave to pilot pro-life push
  36. ^ Indiana Senate Candidate Dan Coats Gets Pro-Life Backing Over Ellsworth
  37. ^ Club for Growth backs Hoffman, too
  38. ^ Super Bowl ad stokes abortion controversy
  39. ^ Abortion foes aren't buying Obama's assurances
  40. ^ The Abortion Hurdle: Can a Pro-Life Dem Bridge the Health Care Divide?
  41. ^ Group Runs Anti-Abortion Ad Against Casey
  42. ^ Pro-Life Groups Applaud Passage of Stupak Amendment to Stop Abortion Funding
  43. ^ Pro-life group blasts Nelson compromise
  44. ^ Reaction from across political spectrum to health vote
  45. ^ Choice, Life Groups Slam Obama Order on Abortion Funding
  46. ^ Stupak award rescinded
  47. ^ Stupak stripped of 'Defender of Life' award he was to receive this week
  48. ^ Choice, Life Groups Slam Obama Order on Abortion Funding
  49. ^ Without Stupak, Anti-Abortion Group's Dinner Goes On
  50. ^ Ibid.
  51. ^ Why I Decided to Challenge Bart Stupak in the Democratic Primary
  52. ^ Palin hits campaign trail for anti-abortion group (CNN)
  53. ^ Sarah Palin boosts 'mom awakening' (Politico)
  54. ^ Sarah Palin issues a call to action to 'mama grizzlies' (Washington Post
  55. ^ Palin Tells Women's Group Washington Should Beware of 'Mama Grizzlies' (Associated Press via Fox News)
  56. ^ Sarah Palin: I Understand Temptation to Have an Abortion (CBS News)
  57. ^ Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann headline anti-abortion fundraiser (Politico)
  58. ^ Susan B. Anthony Gala (The Hill)
  59. ^ Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund: 2010 Endorsed Candidates
  60. ^ Fiorina endorsed by major anti-abortion group in California Senate race (The Hill)
  61. ^ Boxer tries to highlight differences on abortion (AP)
  62. ^ Susan B. Anthony List targets California's pro-life Hispanics in Senate race
  63. ^ Inside the Beltway
  64. ^ Pro-life group endorses Sue Lowden for Senate
  65. ^ Pro-Life Groups Back Sharron Angle in Nevada After Primary Election Victory
  66. ^ Anti-abortion group endorses O’Donnell for Delaware Senate seat
  67. ^ Women's group aiding Clark's attempt to oust Rep. Bachmann

External links

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