We sat down with Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, to learn more about what she and her husband are doing to make their intentions clear in their will, ensuring the pro-life mission endures.

Q: Can you tell us about where the pro-life movement has come since you started Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America in the 1990’s, and where we find ourselves now?

I’m of a certain age now, but when I began this work at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America in the early 90s, I was 27. At that time, I felt an overwhelming sense of urgency – like something had to be done right now. We believed we had to find the right strategy for that moment in the battle to save lives and serve women. There were urgent things that needed to happen, and we were fully caught up in that urgency, making the decisions we believed were necessary to reach our goals.

At that time, the goal was singular and clear: to stop abortion in America. The first objective, of course, was to overturn Roe v. Wade. My mind, my heart, my prayer—and the focus of the entire Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America community—were centered on that mission for many years. All of us across SBA and our related entities, worked together toward that end.

Only now, at this point in my life, have I been able to step back and reflect. With God’s grace, strategic thinking, and decisive action, we accomplished something far greater than ourselves. We overturned Roe v. Wade, and with that came an open door—an opportunity in the years ahead to do something truly meaningful. To protect children in the law, to serve women in tangible ways, and to make a lasting difference in the lives of children after they are born.

We are in the middle of that work now. The urgency is still there, and the goals remain. But one thing I’ve learned since I was 27—hopefully with a bit more wisdom—is that because of the brokenness of the world, this struggle will likely always be with us until every child is protected and every mother is served. Every child is created with purpose, uniquely and beautifully. God knew them before time began, and He also knew their mothers. Each deserves life and love.

In my impatience at 27, I thought that perhaps this mission could be all wrapped up in a period of time if we just did the right thing. I’m aware now that there’s no question that this struggle for life and service to mother and child will extend into the future, beyond my own time. In those last moments, mine and I imagine yours, my prayer is that beyond my life, children and mothers will be cared for.

Q: What have you done to ensure a lasting pro-life legacy, practically, through your will?

Petrina, our Director of Planned Giving, has really taken me on this journey. I’ve been so immersed in the urgency of the moment—talking with senators, engaging presidential candidates, working with governors to pass laws. It all feels so immediate and so important right now.
But there will always be new governors, new candidates, new senators, and new needs—at pregnancy resource centers and beyond. Those needs won’t end when my work here does.

What my husband and I have done is make our intentions very clear. We have a will, and we’re in the process of updating it to reflect where we want our financial legacy to go. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is central to that vision.

Whether it’s a large issue, or medium, or even a little for you, I know that, along with me, you’ll never regret leaving a legacy that continues protecting life. And there’s no one better than Petrina to walk you through that process.

Q: What would you say to others who have fought hard for the pro-life movement and want to do as much as they can to continue saving babies and serving moms in the future?

I would ask you to consider leaving Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America in your will—looking at this decision in light of eternity, in addition to the joy you’ve experienced doing the work of the pro-life hero.

I pray that in Heaven I will meet the children and the mothers whose lives were touched through this movement. There are so many people I’ll never meet here on earth, but I believe we’ll all rejoice together in the company of those children you loved, those mothers you served, and the lives you helped protect.

I’m grateful for this season- for the opportunity to plan a legacy I’m deeply proud of. Thank you for your curiosity and for considering how you might leave a legacy that makes an enormous difference for unborn children and serving their mothers.

If you have any questions about including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America in your will or want to learn more about our planned giving program, please contact Petrina Williams, Director of Planned Giving:

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