More Than 50 Years of Advocating for Women
Since 1972, Women Deserve Better® has worked to systematically address the root causes that drive women to abortion by advocating for practical resources, policy support, and empowering campus and workplace environments.
1972
Today
Advocating for student mothers and families across generations.
1972-1993
Continuing the work of early suffragists
1972 Women Deserve Better is Founded
Founded in 1972 as Feminists for Life of America by Pat Goltz and Cathy Callaghan, Women Deserve Better was established to continue the tradition of early American suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The founders envisioned a world where women are supported holistically, eliminating the root drivers of abortion through community support and policy transformation.
- 1976: First Educational Kits Distributed | WDB began developing systematically organized informational outreach programs addressing pregnancy, birthmotherhood, and nonviolent options.
- 1974: Supports Human Life Amendment| WDB co-founder Pat Goltz testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Human Life Amendment.
- 1987: Suffragist Heritage Excavation | Historical research successfully unearthed deep connections between original 19th century suffragists and the modern modern pro-woman, pro-life movement.
1994-2000
A New Era of Advocacy
1994 A New Era Begins in D.C.
With the opening of our Washington, D.C., headquarters and new national leadership under Serrin M. Foster, Women Deserve Better accelerated federal lobbying and public advocacy, turning original suffragist philosophy into modern, actionable policy initiatives.
- 1990: Advocating Against Domestic Violence | WDB joined as the only pro-life group in the National Task Force on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence to work successfully for the Violence Against Women Act.
- 1997: Taking the Conversation to Campus | WDB hosted the very first Pregnancy Resource Forum at Georgetown University, systematically evaluating and improving resources for student parents on campuses.
- 1999: Working with the ACLU | WDB worked with the ACLU to successfully sue the National Honor Society for denying admission to two teenage moms.
Women Deserve Better
More than saying “no” to abortion — saying “yes” to nonviolent choices, including open adoption, partnered parenting, and complete economic support.
2001-2009
Women Deserve Better Campaigns
2001 “Women Deserve Better” Trademarked
WDB officially registered the hallmark slogan Women Deserve Better, cementing a positive, solution oriented message that shifts the conversation away from polarizing debates and toward systemic support for pregnant and parenting women
- 2002: Landmark Speech Recognized | President Emerita Serrin Foster’s landmark speech “The Feminist Case Against Abortion” was recognized as one of 22 pivotal speeches on Women’s Rights in the anthology series “Great Speeches in History.”
- 2004: Testifies In Support of Unborn Victims | President Emerita Serrin Foster testified before Congress for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, also known as Laci and Conner’s Law.
- 2005: Empowering Pregnant Students | Developed customized Pregnancy Resource Kits for over 150 top universities, advocating for lactation rooms and housing flexibility.
- 2007: Launched First Pregnancy Resource Survey | Launched its first-ever nationwide Pregnancy Resources Survey, created to discover students’ awareness of resources and support for pregnant and parenting students on college and university campuses.
- 2008: Child Support Enforcement Action | Lobbied successfully for reinforced paternal responsibility and child support enforcement, directly mitigating maternal poverty.
- 2008: Released Nationwide Resource Report | Released “Perception is Reality,” a study of WDB’s first nationwide Pregnancy Resources Survey. This report, the first of its kind, highlighted the perceptions that students have about the lack of available resources on their campuses.
2010-2017
From Ideas to Infrastructure
2010 Campus Support Becomes Federal Law
Decades of campus advocacy culminated in federal policy with the enactment of the Pregnancy Assistance Fund. WDB was an instrumental driving force behind this landmark support for pregnant and parenting college students.
- 2013: From Guide to Online Resource | Raising Kids on a Shoestring, FFL’s national guide to practical support for parents and families, evolved from a publication into an online resource as its articles, topics, and resources continued to grow.
- 2016: Won abortion debate at Yale | In a historic first, an Ivy League debate society proposed the motion that “Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.” FFL President Serrin M. Foster was invited to make the case in support of the motion before the Yale Political Union. After a long and spirited debate passionately argued by seven political parties — which was live-tweeted — a vote was taken, and we won! It was the first time a pro-life motion won at the Yale Political Union.
2017: WomenDeserveBetter.com | That growing resource was renamed and expanded as WomenDeserveBetter.com, bringing practical support for women and families together around four areas: Live, Work, Learn, and Love.
2018-Today
Expanding the Modern Mission
2020 “Girls Deserve Better” Initiative
WDB expanded its advocacy to launch Girls Deserve Better, addressing systemic exploitation, child marriage, and human trafficking, ensuring every young woman’s dignity and life are fully protected.
- 2018: Assessed California Parent Student Drop-Out Rate | Released a “Report on Resources and Support for Pregnant and Parenting Students at Highest Risk of Dropping out Attending California State Colleges and Universities,” in advance of a vote that, if passed, would require California state colleges and universities to provide abortions by medications on campus (SB-320).
- 2023: Systemic Financial Equity Programs | Implemented nationwide campaigns targeting childcare subsidies, workplace maternity leave, and equal compensation for parenting mothers.
- 2026: WDB Celebrates 54 Years | More dedicated than ever to solving the challenges pregnant and parenting women face through nonpartisan, nonsectarian holistic resources.
The Work Continues
More than saying “no” to abortion — saying “yes” to nonviolent choices, including open adoption, partnered parenting, and complete economic support.