Grand Rapids Right to Life is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian, nonprofit organization of diverse and caring people united to protect the precious gift of human life from fertilization to natural death.
We strive to achieve the passage and ratification of a Human Life Amendment, to educate people on identified Right to Life issues, to motivate them to action, to encourage community support for and participation in programs and legislation that foster respect and protection for human life, and to promote and support pro-life candidates.
We work on behalf of defenseless human beings, born and unborn, within our identified life issues of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.
Grand Rapids Right to Life began informally as a study group in 1969 to become informed on the abortion issue. After a Lansing rally in 1971, Grand Rapids Right to Life was formally organized. The first annual meeting was held on December 2, 1971, at which time the constitution was adopted and a Board of Directors elected.
In August 1972, a referendum proposing abortion-on-demand through the fifth month of pregnancy was brought before the voters of Michigan. Grand Rapids Right to Life became a part of the temporary, loose-knit statewide coalition, Voice of the Unborn, to fight the abortion referendum. Michigan voters rejected the referendum (Proposal B) by 61%.
On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court struck down all existing abortion laws in the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton cases, thus making abortion-on-demand legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy for any reason.
After the referendum, a statewide organization, Right to Life of Michigan (originally Michigan Citizens for Life) was formed.
Grand Rapids Right to Life was incorporated on April 29, 1976. The main goal of the organization is the constitutional protection of all human life in all stages of development. Membership is open to anyone supporting the goals of the organization.
Annual Report
The most recent activities of Grand Rapids Right to Life are detailed in the 2024 Annual Report.
Organization
Discover how Grand Rapids Right to Life works on education, youth outreach, and legislative activity.
Board of Directors
Grand Rapids Right to Life was incorporated on April 29, 1976. It is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization composed of concerned citizens whose main goal is the constitutional protection of all human life at all stages of development.
The Board of Directors participate in the management of the organization’s affairs regarding promoting the dignity and protecting the rights that are possessed by all human beings from the moment of fertilization. This includes the greatest right of all: the right to life itself.
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kevin Rahe, Chairman of the Board
Laura Alexandria, President
Anne Rossi, Vice-President
Trudy VanSolkema, Treasurer
Dan Heintz, Secretary
AT-LARGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Duba, JD
Hank Milanowski, DDS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ingrid Bergsma
Betty Besteman
Kelly Cool
Patrick Firlik
Thomas Flickinger
Suzanne Hooper
Ingrid Konow
Patricia Korte
Albert Mooney
Ann Natte
Katie Puglessi
Katherine Turlington
Josh Volk
Staff Directory
Laura Alexandria
President
E-mail Laura
Phone: 616-532-2300
Laura is passionate about her job and is relatively certain that with a little more hard work, abortion will end. Around town she can be spotted at the opera or cycling on a bike path.
Kelley Wilson
Event Specialist
E-mail Kelley
Phone: 616-532-2300
Kelley enjoys meeting other awesome pro-life people, and she is always willing to do what it takes to make an event successful. She keeps busy due to a great husband and two fun-loving kids.
Andrea Haveman
Pro-Life Ambassador
E-mail Andrea
Phone: 616-532-2300
Andrea has a passion for helping people of all ages embrace life. She is excited to connect with church reps and pastors to build a culture of life. When not at work, she enjoys the outdoors with her husband and three sons.