“Every day do something pro-life” was the motto of the late patriarch of the anti-abortion movement, Joe M. Scheidler. And now, his teenage granddaughter is carrying on his legacy.
Hope Miller, 19, the founder and CEO of “Simply Pro-Life,” residing in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, is one of the many grandchildren of Joe M. Scheidler. Their bond was strong, with deep discussions on abortion and faith being a favorite topic throughout their lives.
As she grew older, their conversations became more profound. Miller told The Epoch Times, “Once you face the sin of abortion, there’s no turning back, and you must take action.”
She firmly believes that the path to this challenging journey is based on “love and forgiveness” rather than “judgment, criticism, or condemnation.”
Having been involved in protests and demonstrations since childhood, volunteering with the Pro-Life Action League founded by her grandfather in 1980, Miller found her true passion for the movement at the age of 12.
“I held a photo of a baby named Baby David, a victim of abortion,” she said. “It shocked me, and I began to deepen my commitment to the cause I had been fighting for all my life.”
Her pursuit of truth led her on a risky, backlash-filled path that requires unwavering faith.
Joe M. Scheidler, Miller’s grandfather, left behind a pro-life legacy of over forty years. As an expert in the “abortion culture” field and related issues, he gave speeches to large audiences, published two books, and actively worked to save unborn babies until his passing at the age of 93.
In a turn of events in 2021, Joe M. Scheidler passed away just before a scheduled speech at an anti-abortion march in Rockford, Illinois. Miller took the opportunity to recite her speech that she planned to deliver by her legendary grandfather’s side. He had praised her as a “powerhouse” before his passing, a compliment soon validated worldwide.
In 2023, Miller launched the “Simply Pro-Life” movement, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping young people find simple ways to practice their pro-life values. The organization’s social media following exceeded one million last year, with Miller often speaking at rallies and conferences, yet believing the best is yet to come.
Miller stresses the importance of sharing anti-abortion messages with young people as their worldview is still shaping, especially during their peak fertility years. Early education on related issues for teenagers is crucial, considering most abortions target women in their twenties.
She emphasizes the need for them to understand the truth about abortion and its implications, stating, “Knowing what abortion is and what it means is crucial for them.”
Her nonprofit has organized various events, including the “Youth Simply Pro-Life” initiative, aiming to engage young individuals in the movement.
One participant in the youth activities, Mary Sanfilipo, found inspiration from Miller and her work. “Miller indeed broadened my perspective on what’s outside and helped me find different ways to assist moms and babies in the pro-life movement,” she shared.
Sanfilipo expressed gratitude for Miller’s guidance in becoming proactive and engaging in various advocacy activities. Miller’s ability to capture attention across all age groups while enlightening teenagers about their role beyond just being students stood out to her.
Another participant in the 2023 youth activities, Anastacia Smith, believes pregnancy is one of the most beautiful things and the reason women are created. She found the stories from individuals of different backgrounds, including men, women, and even college students, along with Miller’s interactions, inspiring and uplifting.
“You see, this is what she truly cares about and will never give up on,” Smith noted Miller’s profound love for unborn babies.
Miller urges American youth to “do something pro-life every day” through various means, including prayer, discussing abortion with others, or taking action. She regularly shares on social media to encourage youth involvement, with the Pro-Life Action League’s and Miller’s website offering details on such activities.
For instance, Miller initiated the “Purely Pro-Life” activity, where she distributed flyers opposing abortion pills outside pharmacies. She encourages bold actions, particularly when related to ongoing events, such as pharmacies selling abortion pills.
Each year, the Pro-Life Action League organizes the “Face the Truth” tour, where volunteers display photos of miscarried and healthy preborn babies on sidewalks. During Miller’s promotional work in Naperville, Illinois, in 2022, she faced a furious woman demanding her to leave the sidewalk.
Only 17 at the time, Miller refused to leave citing the sidewalk as a public space. The angered homeowner even threatened her with a dog attack. The situation was frightening, yet the young girl’s response was extraordinary.
“I wanted her to know that I am not what she thought I was,” Miller said. “I wanted her to know I am kind, loving, and forgiving. So when the police arrived and told me I could press charges, I chose to forgive her.”
For two years, Miller’s passion for those not supporting or understanding the anti-abortion movement remained unwavering. She stresses that support for the movement requires “love, forgiveness, sympathy, and truth.”
Recently, Miller witnessed abortion supporters humiliating a new mother. She shared the video on social media, stating, “This is not what pro-life advocates should be doing on the sidewalks.”
During the 2023 “Face the Truth” tour, another incident occurred in downtown Chicago. Approached by a woman who verbally assaulted her and her sister, invading their privacy, Miller began recording on her phone as a precaution against any unfortunate eventuality.
To her surprise, the woman became even more aggressive upon noticing Miller recording.
“She snatched the phone from my hand, slammed it on the ground, and broke it,” Miller recounted.
The girl had marks on her hand from the struggle over the phone. Subsequently, charges were pressed against the woman, with an arrest warrant issued.
“It was insane,” Miller recalled the dreadful incident, “It was the only time I was genuinely terrified.”
Despite the harm caused by the stranger’s actions, Miller never let fear deter her from continuing her work. She deems faith as “essential” for the anti-abortion movement, advocating for prayer for the angered and misguided women, such as the phone breaker.
“When you do good, people may still get angry,” she said, “Honestly, sometimes the only way to overcome it is to leave it to God.”
The young pro-life advocate persistently encourages everyone to engage in saving unborn lives. Miller’s faith and fervor drive her to continuously spread the anti-abortion message among young individuals, ensuring she will not cease in her fight, much like her widely acclaimed grandfather.