Melissa Ohden tells her life story and encourages participants at the annual Stand Up for Life dinner by the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia Nov. 19 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

Carly French (second from left), a Temple University student and graduate of Bishop Shanahan High School, was recognized for her work in the pro-life field as she received the John and Harriett Stanton Young Leader Award from the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia at its banquet Nov. 19.

Nolan O’Reilly of St. Cecilia Parish in Philadelphia is recognized during the dinner for his contribution to the pro-life cause: he asked that all the gifts for his recent birthday come in the form of donations for the Pro-Life Union.

Edel Finnegan, outgoing executive director of the Pro-Life Union of Greaster Philadelphia, speaks to the crowd during the organization’s annual dinner.

Edel Finnegan, outgoing executive director of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia.

More than a thousand people celebrated the work of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia at its annual banquet Nov. 19 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel.

Detective James Woods and his wife show their pride in the award.

Father Christopher Walsh explains the banquet’s baby-bottle fundraiser in which donors fill their containers with gifts for the organization’s work.

Philadelphia detective James Woods (second from right), whose investigation of a notorious West Philadelphia abortion clinic led to the conviction of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, receives an award from the Pro-Life Union Nov. 19 by (from left) new executive director Tom Stevens, outgoing executive director Edel Finnegan and Father Christopher Walsh, master of ceremonies for the banquet.

Dr. Monique Ruberu (second from right), an ob-gyn physician in the Philadelphia-area, receives the Pro-Life Union’s Defender of Life Award.