About Us
Florida Right to Life stands as a beacon of hope in turbulent times, championing its nonprofit, nonpartisan, and community-driven goals with unwavering dedication. Our mission is not merely about safeguarding life; it’s about emphasizing the importance of each individual’s right to existence and ensuring they thrive in a society that respects this intrinsic value through both education and pivotal legislative changes.
We resonate with the profound understanding that life’s journey, beginning at conception and progressing to its natural culmination, is sacred. Every moment of this journey, every heartbeat, every breath deserves not just recognition but also the utmost protection and nurturing care.
The modern age presents us with challenges from anti-life forces that aim to negate the significance and sanctity of life. As such adversities grow, our commitment to advocating for every human life intensifies. We fervently believe that every life, regardless of its condition, background, age, or any other distinction, commands respect and dignity. This belief remains unshaken, be it for lives that have seen the world or those still waiting to.
By designing ourselves for adaptability, Florida Right to Life ensures that we can react swiftly to emerging challenges. With a proactive stance, our team remains at the forefront, consistently addressing pressing issues related to the sanctity of life.
A Brief History
In 1971, Florida’s Pro-Life movement was initiated by Dr. John Grady, following attempts by pro-legalized-abortion groups to establish a permissive abortion law. Responding to this, Jean Doyle and Arlene Pelzer lobbied against its enactment. After attending a National Right to Life Convention, they returned with plans for a Florida pro-life organization, which Dr. Grady approved. The organization’s inaugural meeting occurred in September 1971 in Orlando.
By Spring of 1972, a permissive abortion law was passed, triggering the formation of numerous pro-life groups. While an abortion-on-demand proposal didn’t make the 1972 Florida ballot, the 1973 Supreme Court rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton fundamentally shifted U.S. abortion laws. This decision left unborn children with minimal legal protection and buoyed euthanasia proponents.
Later, in 1976, the US Supreme Court ruled against parental or spousal intervention in abortion decisions. Florida Right to Life dedicated the mission to support legislation that affirms Life from conception to natural death by opposing pro-abortion and pro-euthanasia/assisted suicide legislation and advocating for crisis pregnancy resource center support.
Strong lines of communication are kept open between the National Right to Life headquarters in Washington DC and the Florida Right to Life state organization in Tallahassee creating a unified link to successfully pass numerous pro-life bills to make abortion illegal and unthinkable again.
A more detailed history is available upon request to frtl@frtl.org.