Marjorie Jones Dannenfelser is an American activist who is the president of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an American political organization that seeks to advance anti-abortion women in politics.[2] She was brought into the organization as its executive director in 1993, shortly after its founding by Rachel MacNair.[3]
Marjorie Dannenfelser | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jones in April 2017 | |
| Born | Marjorie Jones 1965 or 1966 (age 58–59)[1] |
| Education | Duke University (BA) |
| Occupation | President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America |
| Political party | Republican |
Activism
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Pro-abortion rights as a college student, Marjorie Jones was the "pro-choice chair" of the Duke University College Republicans. But a summer spent in a house for interns at The Heritage Foundation changed that, when "group-house drama" erupted over what Dannenfelser called an "inappropriate video". This dispute led to her conversion to Catholicism and a new anti-abortion stance, according to a 2010 Washington Post profile.[1] After graduating Duke, Dannenfelser worked for the Reagan administration.[4]
In the 1990s, Dannenfelser was the staff director of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus,[2] and worked for U.S. House Representative Alan Mollohan (D-WV), whom the SBA List later worked to defeat in the 2010 Democratic primary.[1][5] Mollohan was defeated in the primary by Mike Oliverio.
Dannenfelser re-organized the Susan B. Anthony List in 1997, after SBA List founder Rachel MacNair brought her on board as the first experienced political activist to join the group.[3][6] Soon afterwards, Dannenfelser was joined by Jane Abraham to turn the SBA List away from MacNair's bi-partisan and liberal credo, moving to a Republican Party and conservative-oriented group.[7] Dannenfelser and Abrahama led SBA List until 2006, when Dannenfelser assumed both the chairman and president positions. The organization, headquartered in Washington, D. C., lobbies law-makers, and spends millions of dollars per year supporting candidates.
Dannenfelser endorsed the unsuccessful John McCain 2008 presidential campaign.[8] She supported McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, an anti-abortion politician,[9] noting that McCain alone did not engage the "disaffected" pro-life voter bloc.[10][11] Dannenfelser called Palin the "poster child" for the anti-abortion cause,[10] though she later said Palin became a "great disappointment".[12] In September 2016, Dannenfelser became Donald Trump's campaign "Pro-Life Coalition" leader.[13]
Personal life
editMarjorie Jones was born, and raised, in Greenville, North Carolina.[14] She grew up as an Episcopalian, and attended Duke University. She married Martin Dannenfelser, who later served as vice president of the evangelical political activist group Family Research Council.[8] They had both worked as Congressional aides in 1990.[15] The two live in Arlington County, Virginia, where they raised five children.[16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Horowitz, Jason (May 14, 2010). "Woman who supported abortion rights experienced evolution that changed her mind". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Susan B. Anthony List website Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Dannenfelser, Marjorie (1997). "Exotic Fruits of Grace". Crisis. 15 (1). Brownson Institute: 30–33.
- ^ Miller, Lisa (November 2, 2011). "A feminine face for the anti-abortion movement". On Faith. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ Barr, Andy (May 12, 2010). "Right claiming Mollohan scalp". Politico. Archived from the original on May 15, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "History of SBA List". Susan B. Anthony List. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010.
- ^ Sheppard, Kate (February 22, 2012). "Susan B. Anthony List Founder: Republicans Hijacked My PAC!". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Ertelt, Steven (March 10, 2008). "John McCain Gains Support From Prominent Catholic Pro-Life Advocates". LifeNews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Barr, Andy (May 14, 2010). "Palin praises 'mama grizzlies'". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ a b Lerer, Lisa (September 12, 2008). "Palin powers abortion groups' coffers". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Reston, Maeve (November 14, 2009). "'Going Rogue' a shot at redemption and revenge". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Howley, Kerry (May 9, 2022). "The Woman Who Killed Roe". The Cut. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Trump, Donald. "A Letter Invitation for Pro-Life Coalition" (PDF). Susan B. Anthony List. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
- ^ The Washington Post, quoted in Get Religion
- ^ Congressional Yellow Book. Washington Monitor. 1990. p. 36.
- ^ "SBA List founder shares how she found a mission that motivates her everyday". Federal News Network. December 18, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
External links
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