History
Right to Life League of Southern California History
Even Before Roe v. Wade
Though the incorporation of The Right to Life League of Southern California (RTLL) happened in 1969, the League was already in existence for several years. What grew out of the relationship formed between The Catholic Physicians Guild, The Archdiocesan Counsel of Catholic Women, Cardinal McIntyre and other clergy was a group that wanted to take part in an organized fight against abortion. The focus at the time was on opposing the “Therapeutic Abortion Act”, otherwise known as the Bielensen Bill that came before the California legislature in 1966 and 1967.
In 1967, as the arguments in favor of the “Therapeutic Abortion Act” grew, Bishop John Ward suggested the group take its name from the Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life…”
What became very evident to the group was people didn’t really understand abortion. As the “Therapeutic Abortion Act” was being debated, a group of approximately 100 went to Sacramento for the hearing, and were the only pro-life group in attendance. It was nearly midnight before they had their turn on the floor. Unfortunately, the bill passed with 21 votes – the minimum needed. (“… when you look at the vote almost all of the people we lobbied voted no…” ~Rose Polito)
Before (then) Governor Reagan signed the bill into law, Dr. Walsh and Libby Goodwin dropped everything, booked an 8 AM flight to speak with Reagan about the humanity of the unborn child at a 15 minute appointment. Their hope was a veto from the Governor.
The appointment stretched into an hour and 15 minutes. At the conclusion of the appointment, Governor Reagan said, “I’ve had 57 delegations of people representing the other side. You are the only ones who’ve spoken to me in opposition. Why am I getting this information so late? I have given my word that I would sign this bill. Unfortunately, I made this agreement without the information you are giving me now. But I will never sign another bill involving abortion.” On June 15, 1967 Governor Reagan signed into law the “Therapeutic Abortion Act”.
Feeling slightly defeated, RTLL spent some time trying to decide what to do next. Throughout 1968, the group informally discussed the reality of the new abortion bill. Rose Polito, Libby Goodwin, and others decided that they could not give up the fight, especially since they were being called upon frequently to fill speaking engagements, editorial interviews and spots on TV. With a $50.00 speaker’s donation, they bought a roll of stamps and rented a PO Box. The following year, on July 7, 1969, The Right to Life League of Southern California was incorporated as a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political organization, making the Right to Life League of Southern California, America’s first pro-life organization.
The 12 members who signed the “Articles of Incorporation” were, James Francis Cardinal McIntyre, Virginia M. Brennan, Judge Richard P. Byrne, Veronica H. Dysart, Elizabeth Goodwin, William M. Goodwin, M.D., Edward M. Greaney, Jr. M.D., Warren Knieriam, Rose Polito, Professor Walter R. Trinkaus, Edward J. Wiater, and Eleanor Wiater.
An important decision, early on, was to be an education and service organization, not a political group. As the first anniversary of RTLL passed, the League noted how membership numbers jumped from 7 to nearly 600. Among them, doctors, lawyers, clergymen, educators, social workers, architects, scientists, and journalists, housewives, adoptive parents, and students; from teens to the retired. Though most came from Southern California, the League noted several out of area, out of state, and even international members, from the East Coast to Australia.
The early 1970s were a time of significant growth for the League:
• In 1970, RTLL published “Love For Life”, a high school educational program, the first pro-life book available in the country.
• On May 5, 1971 the Whittier hotline was established, the first of dozens of hotlines.
• In 1971, RTLL is first invited to have booths at various fairs and events to expose the truth about abortion.
• In 1971 and 1972, RTLL speakers address thousands, many of whom are teens.
• In 1972, RTLL administers its first pregnancy testing at the East LA Health Fair.
• New ‘chapters’ open throughout Southern California during 1971 and 1972.
• And, RTLL also hosts events, launches a billboard campaign, conferences and more!
On January 22, 1973 the US Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, and created a culture of people who were able to receive abortion on demand in all 50 states.
