July 7, 2025
Sometimes standing for Life means standing alone. These handful of lawmakers bravely took on that challenge.
Students for Life Action (SFLAction) worked with many impressive lawmakers throughout the years, but a select few truly stood out and earned special recognition this year during the “Pro-Life Legislator Strategy Session” at the National Leaders Collective Kickoff Weekend— one of several events held as part of the Pro-Life Generation’s annual National Celebrate Life Weekend from Friday, June 27th – Sunday, June 29th.
From fighting against Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking, to advancing Life at Conception legislation—these FIVE lawmakers led the charge on some of the most critical pro-life bills. The following lawmakers received Pro-Life Champion Award (in alphabetical order):
- West Virginia State Delegate Chris Anders
- Former Oklahoma Senator Nathan Dahm
- Oklahoma State Representative Denise Crosswhite Hader
- South Carolina House Representative John McCravy
- West Virginia State Senator Patricia Rucker
State by state, in alphabetical order, are demonstrations of true, legislative courage.
Oklahoma: As the chief architect of the 2023 Oklahoma Life at Conception Act, former Sen. Nathan Dahm helped set the national precedent for what strong, principled pro-life legislation should look like.
Last session, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed the Anti-Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking Act and sent it to the Senate, where leadership attempted to stall the bill. Then Sen. Dahm challenged the Senate leadership, forcing a roll call vote that ultimately exposed weak-kneed lawmakers and cost several of their seats.
Now, former Sen. Dahm remains committed to protecting Life and works with our students. He received our Lifetime Achievement Award to honor him for his long track record of fighting for Life.
Picking up where Sen. Dahm left off, Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader continued the fight to end Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking. She reintroduced the bill for the second year in a row. Her perseverance, integrity, and leadership in protecting women and preborn babies through Oklahoma’s House of Representatives prove that pro-life champions never give up.
South Carolina: Representative John McCravy proves himself time and time again to be a bold defender of life in South Carolina. As the lead advocate for the Human Life Protection Act, Rep. McCravy fought relentlessly to secure a roll call vote, refusing to let House Leadership bury the bill behind closed doors. Even when faced with retaliation—including attempts to remove him from the South Carolina Family Caucus—he stood his ground.
Rep. McCravy’s courage in the face of pressure exemplifies what it means to be a pro-life champion. He did not just support strong legislation; he pushed it forward while others stayed silent.
West Virginia: Senator Patricia Rucker and Delegate Chris Anders played key roles in advancing bold pro-life legislation during the 2025 session.
Sen. Rucker has consistently filed SFLAction’s Anti-Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking legislation. After former Senate leadership refused to move her bill in previous years, voters responded—defeating the former Senate President Craig Blair in a primary over his weak pro-life record.
In 2025, she reintroduced the bill and fought back when efforts emerged to water it down. Her persistence paid off. Sen. Rucker restored the strong pro-life language and successfully passed the bill.
In the House of Delegates, freshman Del. Chris Anders wasted no time proving his commitment to Life. When it became clear that House Speaker Roger Hanshaw intended to block all pro-life legislation, Del. Anders took a bold stand.
Defying leadership pressure, he demanded a roll call vote on the House version of the Anti-Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking Act—forcing lawmakers to go on the record. While the bill did not pass, his courage drew a clear line in the sand, revealing which legislators are truly willing to defend the lives of preborn children.
The National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) also adopted the Anti-Chemical Abortion Pill Trafficking Act as a model bill during their 9th national conference. The measure has been under consideration in a number of states.
Here are some of the states where this model legislation has been introduced:
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- West Virginia
These legislators show what it means to be bold, principled, and unwavering in the fight for life.
They faced political pressure, internal opposition, and personal risk—but never backed down. The Pro-Life Generation (PLG) is proud to stand with them.