By Gina Christian • Posted January 22, 2019

Some 3,000 faithful from the Philadelphia archdiocese attended the 46th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 18. CatholicPhilly.com asked several local participants why they chose to attend.

(Click on the play icon to hear the audio. Read our full story on the archdiocesan experience at the 2019 March for Life.)

 

Robin McLaughlin
(St. Maria Goretti Parish, Hatfield)

McLaughlin, who attended with two of her teenage daughters and one of their friends, said that she wanted to demonstrate a commitment to “life at all levels.”

 

 

Megan Travaline
(Montgomeryville native living in Washington, D.C. and extended parishioner of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer in North Wales)

Travaline, a feminist who has attended the March for Life with her family since childhood, says that “pro-life is pro-woman.”

 

 

Sister Margaret, S.V. 
(Sisters of Life, Archdiocese of New York)

Having attended the march since the early 1990’s, Sister Margaret has noticed a shift in the participants’ ages, with more Millennials advocating for the pro-life mission.

 

 

Valerie McLaughlin
(Sophomore, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School and parishioner of St. Maria Goretti, Hatfield)

A first-time participant at the march, McLaughlin described how the pro-life message speaks to the #MeToo generation.

 

 

Barry Pine
(St. Andrew Parish, Newtown)

Pine has attended the annual March for Life since 1993, and believes the demonstration speaks powerfully to men as well as women.