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Since the Dobbs decision returned the issue of abortion to the states, state legislatures and state courts have taken up abortion restrictions; and the people of Kansas even considered and eventually defeated a pro-life amendment to their constitution. So, what lessons can be learned from this “first round” of state-level abortion contests? And what should the pro-life movement focus on as we head into the fall of 2022? In this episode, I spoke with Sue Swayze Liebel, the state policy director for Susan B. Anthony List Pro-Life America, about these latest developments and lessons.

Sue Swayze Liebel hails from Indianapolis, Indiana where she has worked for over 25 years in policy development, program design and implementation, lobbying and political strategy. Sue currently serves as the State Policy Director for the Susan B. Anthony List in Washington, D.C. She is responsible for implementing the program’s mission of advancing women lawmakers who are dedicated to ending abortion by passing laws that save lives. This involves expanding the caucus’ membership of state elected women across the country and equipping them with policy, legal and communications tools. In her home state of Indiana, Sue is also the Vice President for Public Affairs for Indiana Right to Life, a statewide pro-life advocacy organization, where she assists in developing policy and lobbying strategies and serves as its media spokesperson on issues of human life. Most importantly, Sue is a daughter of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom she has pledged her life’s work.  She now approaches the political arena as a mission field for her Christian faith and strives to impact the lives of children and families by promoting life, marriage, and family issues. She is married to David.

Key Takeaways:

• Her background and call into public square ministry.
• The remarkable story and forgotten advocacy of Susan B. Anthony.
• Lessons from the 3 states that have called special sessions to take up abortion restrictions
• The importance of contrast and compassion in our efforts to promote the sanctity of life.
• A national review of the states that have abortion bans or restrictions at an early gestational age (such as heartbeat bills), those that are considering such measures, and those that are still staunchly pro-choice.
• The importance of state elections and especially judicial selections processes at the state level.
• SBA Pro Life America’s new efforts Her PLAN (Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network), which facilitates collaboration between assistance providers and their communities to empower women and families through comprehensive medical, social, and material support.
• Many churches are asking how they can assist women and children post-Dobbs, and the Her PLAN website offers a free church assessment for focusing ministry resources in this area.