On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, SBA Pro-Life America held our gala at the historic Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The Gala brought together pro-life leaders, elected officials, and supporters from across the country for a night that honored recent victories and looked ahead to the work still to come.
Even Planned Parenthood couldn’t ignore the night — In a bit of irony, our Gala was featured in a POLITICO email that wassponsored by Planned Parenthood. We couldn’t help but share the moment on social media.
The evening began with a pre-Gala reception where attendees heard from several prominent pro-life lawmakers, including Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma (left) joins Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of SBA Pro-Life America, on stage at the reception, where he addresses the crowd with a powerful reminder to stay engaged in the fight for life.
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri followed. Introduced by Marjorie Dannenfelser as a pro-life hero, Hawley thanked those gathered for standing boldly for life, and spoke to the importance of meeting the moment: “There is no more important time in our country’s history to stand for life than right now… we still have tremendous work to do.”
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri (left) and Marjorie Dannenfelser (right) on stage during the reception, as part of the evening's celebration of the pro-life movement.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina concluded the reception with a message of determination and optimism: “When it comes to the rights of the unborn child, I believe the best days lie ahead.”
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina (left) addresses the crowd at the reception, with Marjorie Dannenfelser (right) by his side.
As the formal program began and all the attendees took their seats, Marjorie, along with her daughter Terry, welcomed guests to the evening portion of the Gala. Terry then introduced the Friends of Club 21 Choir — a choir made up of individuals with Down syndrome— who delivered a heartfelt performance. Their rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the song “Extraordinary Magic,” reminded everyone in the room of the value and dignity of every human life.
The Friends of Club 21 choir, a talented group of individuals with Down syndrome, who performed at the Gala, bringing a moving rendition of the National Anthem and Extraordinary Magic.
The Friends of Club 21 choir delivers a powerful and moving performance of the National Anthem and ‘Extraordinary Magic’ during the Gala.
The next speaker to take the stage was Glenn Story, founder and CEO of Patriot Mobile — a Christian conservative wireless provider. He shared how his organization shares SBA’s values and thanked the group for their unmatched grassroots work. “Susan B. Anthony is the tip of the spear when it comes to activism in pro-life,” he said, offering his full support for our mission.
Senator Steve Daines of Montana then delivered a toast. Daines, who founded the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, reflected on how SBA’s voter contact program helped him win his seat in 2014, part of a historic GOP Senate flip that laid the groundwork for the eventual overturn of Roe v. Wade. “It’s about playing the long game,” he said. “It’s about perseverance.”
Senator Steve Daines of Montana delivers a heartfelt toast, reflecting on the long-term perseverance needed in the fight for life.
Senator Jon Husted (recently appointed to Vice President JD Vance’s former Ohio Senate seat) took the stage next. Husted shared his deeply personal story about how he was born into foster care and adopted by a loving family after his birth mother faced pressure to have an abortion. “She faced a very difficult choice, and she chose to have an adoption,” he said. Reflecting on the life he was given through adoption, he added, “The greatest thing that could have ever happened to me was being adopted by the two people who became my mom and dad.” He closed with a heartfelt toast to the mothers who choose life and the families who welcome children through adoption “who have saved children and given life to this nation.”
Senator Jon Husted of Ohio shares his personal story, emphasizing the life-changing impact of adoption and the importance of supporting mothers and families.
Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio followed, offering a candid look at how SBA stood by him during his recent campaign. “The one group that did support me from the very beginning was SBA,” he said. Going up against a 50-year incumbent, Moreno credited SBA’s field efforts with helping him defy the odds. “They try to brand us as radicals and that we are trying to take rights away. We’re putting rights in the hands of who God ordained as having the most ultimate rights, which is the unborn.”
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) shares his personal journey and reflects on SBA Pro-Life America's vital role in his campaign, thanking the organization for its unwavering support and crucial impact in advocating for the pro-life cause.
Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana echoed that theme. Running against a well-funded opponent with strong name recognition and media backing, Sheehy said he knew he couldn’t compete on airwaves — so he turned to the ground game. “SBA was there from the very beginning knocking over 100,000 doors in our state, reaching 600,000 voters,” he shared. “Trust me when I say that this organization makes a huge difference on the ground and makes a huge difference at the ballot box.”
Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) speaks about his campaign journey and highlights SBA Pro-Life America’s significant influence, detailing their grassroots efforts that made a critical impact in his race.
Later in the evening, Marjorie addressed the room. She spoke plainly about the opportunities and challenges facing the pro-life movement after Dobbs, especially the growing threat of abortion pills and misinformation. She called for courage and unity in this new phase, rooted in the belief that every child and every mother deserves better than abortion.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of SBA Pro-Life America, delivers a passionate speech, emphasizing the movement’s momentum after Dobbs and the ongoing fight against new challenges to life.
Marjorie then introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. His speech was personal, principled, and clear: “There’s never been a more important moment to stand for this cause.” He praised SBA Pro-Life America as “one of the most effective grassroots organizations in the country” and shared his own story of being born as the result of an unplanned pregnancy. Johnson framed the fight for life as part of a broader moral struggle, urging the movement to meet it with both strength and compassion. “We must speak the truth in love,” he said, calling on the audience to continue defending America’s founding creed — that all are created equal and endowed with the right to life.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson delivers a powerful keynote address, sharing his personal story and urging the pro-life movement to continue defending the right to life with clarity and compassion.
Marjorie returned to close out the evening with gratitude for those in attendance and a look ahead at what still needs to be done. It was a night that celebrated what the movement has already achieved and looked ahead to the work that still needs to be done.
Where do your legislators stand on the right to life?
The SBA Pro-Life America National Pro-life Scorecard is a tool that helps hold members of Congress accountable for their legislative records on life and that highlights leadership in the fight to serve women and save babies.
