Kortney Blythe Gordon, field director for Students for Life of America and self-described abortion abolitionist, shared her views on the importance of being pro-life and its connection to Christianity on Tuesday, Aug. 28, in the American Studies building as a guest speaker for the Students for Life organization.
Gordon said she was inspired by her uncle, who dissuaded numerous women from having abortions as a full-time sidewalk counselor as he stood outside of clinics. Gordon grew up with a passion for human rights, especially with respect to abortion.
In her presentation, Gordon addressed the history of abortion and provided students with scientific, philosophical and religious reasons as to why she believes abortion is wrong. According to Gordon, her main focus is to equip pro-life groups with the necessary information and to encourage students to be activists.
“This is our chance to be champions for human rights,” Gordon said. “I really try to encourage people that no matter what hardship comes their way, this is the right thing to do.”
Gordon said she truly believes abortion will be abolished in her lifetime.
“Every generation has an injustice,” Gordon said. “I believe our generation’s injustice is abortion, and I want to be part of ending that.”
Gordon ended the presentation with not only a call to action, but also a piece of hope, describing abortion as a “winnable battle.”
The Students for Life organization chose to bring Gordon to Harding because of her contagious passion for opposing abortion and defending human rights, according to Erin Grant, president of Students for Life at Harding.
Grant and Vice President, Ashley Shelton have been associated with the organization since last semester and both see a strong need for a pro-life club on campus, they said.
“Even though at a Christian university most people are pro-life, we decided people need to know what they believe, why they believe it and they need to take a stand for it,” Shelton said.
Grant said that if Christians are not active, then who will be?
Both Grant and Shelton said they hope the club will challenge students to become active in their beliefs.
“We would love to see people transition into saying they believe something to living it out,” Grant said.
The SFLA has an upcoming “Diaper Drive,” in which all students are encouraged to participate. The group will be donating baby clothes, formulas and diapers to Friends for Life, a local nonprofit organization ministering to women and children.
If interested in joining the group, small presentations are given every second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the American Studies building. For more information, contact Grant at egrant@harding.edu.
