Local anti-abortion group wants to support both mothers and babies
CHILLICOTHE— Since the leaked U.S. Supreme Court document came out showing that current justices were looking to overturn Roe V. Wade many people have been waiting for an official ruling.
This wait came to an end on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court officially announced on Friday that they were overturning the 1973 ruling in a 6-3 vote.
More: The day that Roe v. Wade fell: Panic, praise at Ohio's abortion clinics
Roe V. Wade was a decision where the court ruled that a woman had the constitutional right to get an abortion if she wanted to. With it now being overturned it is up to each state to decide if abortion is legal. Soon after the ruling, Ohio made it illegal to receive an abortion after the fetus has a heartbeat, which is around six weeks.
Judy Harness, who is the chair of the Ross-Pike Right to Life Chapter, believes this overturning is a great step forward in history and that the original rulings belong in the "annals of history." While she believes this is more of a human rights issue than a political one, she is happy about the possible legislation saying it will send a great message about the country and what the U.S. believes in.
"It will send a message to the rest of the world that America stands for life," said Harness.
The Ross-Pike chapter of the Right to Life organization often holds events such as its annual march every year. This march is meant to be a nonpolitical peaceful event to educate people about the rights of a human life. They also hold fundraisers to raise money for expecting mothers who need assistance.
Harness started her role as chair in 2017, but long before she ever took an official role she has been fighting. She remembers being a child when Roe was first decided and while at the age of 10 she did not fully understand the ruling she knew she was not happy about it.
"I knew something really bad had happened in our country," said Harness.
She would grow up supporting the anti-abortion movement even attending marches across the country. As a nurse, Harness would see the impacts that performing abortions had on physicians. She says it is impossible for someone to walk away from a room the same way they walked in after an abortion. Harness ended up leaving her job in North Carolina as a nurse because the administration continued to offer abortion services.
One part of the overruling still in question is if states will add any type of exceptions to the anti-abortion laws in the event of a child being conceived from rape. Harness does not think there should be an exception. Instead of punishing an innocent child with death she said she believes there should be harsher punishments for the rapists.
She also believes there is a difference between a doctor intentionally aborting a baby and inducing early labor to help with the mother's health.
Harness understands that emotions can come into play when making decisions around abortions. She also understands it can be hard to understand the consequences, she herself did not fully understand everything for some time. It took many hours of research and praying she said for her to understand what was right. This is why Right to Life aims to help educate women on what they are facing.
"God has put me in a position in life to be a voice for the voiceless," said Harness. "It comes down to the right thing to do."
Harness believes people need to spend less time fighting and more time supporting mothers. Right to Life works to support the local women's center, Elizabeth's Hope, as well as the Bottoms Up campaign that offers free clean diapers to mothers. She believes we should be supporting the new baby, and family, and surrounding them with love.
In a news release from the Ross-Pike chapter Harness calls for legislation for simpler and more affordable adoption processes, awareness of "mothers empowered" programs, awareness of pregnancy recourses in the area and continued work on family-friendly policies on places such as college campuses and the workforce.
"We should care for all people," said Harness. "Every human life is valuable."
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Local anti-abortion group wants to support both mothers and babies
