I did not know her very well, but her lifelong leadership of the pro-life community and Nellie’s commitment to personhood was certainly one of the more courageous episodes in the history of the pro-life movement, and all at a time when it was not easy to be pro-life.
Though Nellie’s efforts towards pro-life unity were never fully realized, I sincerely hope that in 2013 there is some effort by pro-life leaders to focus on what is achievable and right — not on what is expedient or perfect — in the struggle to defend the culture of life.
This January will prove to be a very special March for Life. Hopefully we can all take a moment to renew our own courage and do in our own ways what we can to end the culture of violence.