Marjorie Dannenfelser

Contents

Marjorie Jones Dannenfelser is an American political 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.[1] She was brought into the organization as its executive director in 1993, shortly after its founding by Rachel MacNair.[2]

Activism

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 Georgetown house for interns at The Heritage Foundation changed that, when "group-house drama" erupted over what Dannenfelser called an "inappropriate video". According to a 2010 Washington Post profile, 'a bitter schism erupted between social conservatives and libertarians over a pornographic video', which led to her conversion to Catholicism and a new anti-abortion stance.[3] After graduating Duke, Dannenfelser worked for the Reagan administration.[4]

In the 1990s, Dannenfelser was the staff director of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus,[1] and worked for U.S. House Representative Alan Mollohan (D-WV), whom the SBA List later worked to defeat in the 2010 Democratic primary.[3][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.[2][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

Marjorie 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]

References

  1. 1.[1.2]Susan B. Anthony List website Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 2.[2.2]Dannenfelser, Marjorie (1997). "Exotic Fruits of Grace". Crisis. 15 (1). Brownson Institute: 30–33.
  3. 3.[3.2]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.
  4. 4.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.
  5. 5.Barr, Andy (May 12, 2010). "Right claiming Mollohan scalp". Politico. Archived from the original on May 15, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  6. 6."History of SBA List". Susan B. Anthony List. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010.
  7. 7.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.
  8. 8.[8.2]Ertelt, Steven (March 10, 2008). "John McCain Gains Support From Prominent Catholic Pro-Life Advocates". LifeNews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  9. 9.Barr, Andy (May 14, 2010). "Palin praises 'mama grizzlies'". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  10. 10.[10.2]Lerer, Lisa (September 12, 2008). "Palin powers abortion groups' coffers". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.Howley, Kerry (May 9, 2022). "The Woman Who Killed Roe". The Cut. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  13. 13.Trump, Donald. "A Letter Invitation for Pro-Life Coalition" (PDF). Susan B. Anthony List. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  14. 14.The Washington Post, quoted in Get Religion
  15. 15.Congressional Yellow Book. Washington Monitor. 1990. p. 36.
  16. 16."SBA List founder shares how she found a mission that motivates her everyday". Federal News Network. December 18, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2021.