Right to Life Meeting Highlights Members' Work

The Alpha Center in Sidney was the scene of Shelby County Right to Life's Membership Meeting, Friday, March 12. The event, open to all members of RTL, featured presentations by local members and representatives of Ohio Right to Life, based in Columbus. Emcee Kevin Schmiesing, co-director of RTL, described the evening's purpose as as "recharging" attendees' "pro-life batteries."

Sidney teen and 2009 National Right to Life Oratory Contest champion, Elizabeth Trisler, opened the program with a presentation of her award-winning speech, followed by a summary of her experience as the national winner. An area nurse offered a moving testimony of her own experience of abortion, stressing that its negative effects are long-lasting.

Connie McEldowney of Russia recounted the true story behind her children's book, "Josiah's Journey," which follows the development of an unborn baby. Gillian Stechshulte and Elyse Putnam, outreach and media officers at Ohio Right to Life, updated the county group on state-level activities and explained the importance of membership in right to life organizations.

Board member Mary Schmiesing offered a brief history of Shelby County Right to Life. "It began as all great movements do," she quipped, "around a kitchen table." The program closed with a summary of the organization's accomplishments in 2009: 1800 visitors to RTL's downtown thrift shop; 25 individuals referred to the Sidney Women's Center; and 200 students and adults reached through educational programs.

Sidney resident John O'Neill was one member in attendance. "It was wonderful to see the right-to-life people of Shelby County come together to meet and to share their stories," he said. He said he was "amazed at the impact that people from Shelby County have had on a national level."