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February 24, 2022Pro-life advocates from across Oklahoma gathered Feb. 16 at the Oklahoma State Capitol for "Rose Day," an annual event where participants offer roses to their legislators. The gesture symbolized their support for the unborn.
Rebecca Farley stood with her friend, Colin Gormley, next to the Catholic Charities table. The seniors from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School said they attended Rose Day because they wanted to do what they could to make things better.
Looking over the Capitol rotunda, school sponsors pointed in various directions, explaining significant aspects of the building and directing groups of students to their legislators' offices.
Anne Hathcoat, vice principal at Bishop McGuinness, said the Rose Day rally provides an opportunity for students to address the many human dignity issues her leadership class studies throughout a semester.
"We studied an array of right to life issues," Hathcoat said. "That's what we're about as a Catholic high school."
Standing next to her teacher, Maggie Kirt, one of 15 Bishop McGuinness sophomores in attendance, echoed Hathcoat's sentiment.
"Our school upholds being pro-life and giving dignity to all human beings, so we're here to advocate for that," Kirt said.
Fina Chongwa and Victoria Ososanya, Bishop McGuiness sophomores, said the day was about the protection of rights of all people, even after birth.
"We actually had a really big in-class discussion about the pro-life agenda and how it's not just issues like abortion," Ososanya said.
"It's also issues like food and security, quality of life, helping those who come into our country, human trafficking and making sure we don't just protect life before they come onto the earth, but we also protect life while we're here."
Chongwa and Ososanya said their presence represented their desire to advocate for all life, including those in unfair living conditions.
"As Catholics, we want to be able to protect those we believe are our brothers and sisters in Christ," she said.
Four-year-old Grey Snider wiggled impatiently on his "Mimi," Cindi Naylor's lap. Minutes later, Grey, along with his adoptive mother, Laynie Snider, and hundreds of other pro-life supporters, listened to the testimony of his birth mom, Brittany Garrett.
Grey settled in as he watched Garrett walk to the podium. Her voice shook, but soon steadied as she began the words, "What's important to me is the decision to keep a child and be educated on what abortion really is."
The Oklahoma House of Representatives chamber grew quiet as Garrett continued her testimony, with dozens of House members and Senators standing respectfully at attention on both sides of the room.
Garrett, who had a previous abortion, detailed her decision to carry Grey to term, a decision that paved the way for the Snider family to call him one of their own.
"In my mindset, I didn't want to bring a child into a life I couldn't provide for," she said. "On the other hand, isn't that what God wants us to do? He wants us to take care of these babies that come into this life. So, there is going to be a way you can do that."
On the day she was scheduled to abort, Garrett told her pastor about her decision. However, an hour and a half after that meeting, Garrett said she began to have a change of heart.
Garrett was given the name of a pregnancy support center who told her she had three options: keep, abort or adopt.
Garrett lifted her hand and pointed to Grey and his mom. "I ended up being able to place with a family who is here right now – Grey and his mom," to which the crowd applauded.
"Had I not chosen to cancel that appointment, he wouldn't be sitting here right now. I'm so happy that I listened to God. I wish abortion were not an option. As the years progress, I feel more and more sadness and regret. I hope hearing my testimony can get any other woman (in) the same situation not to choose abortion and choose adoption. For families who can't have kids, please, let me help them. "
Laynie Snider, Grey's adoptive mother, recalled her and her husband, Beau's, first meeting with Garrett, who she says, had a choice in who adopted her baby.
"Look at where she is today," Snider said. "She had an abortion, and now she is celebrating the sanctity of life and standing for that. That is just completely God making all things new. I am moved today that she has the courage to share her story. I think that's beautiful."
The Snider family has maintained an open adoption with Garrett, a decision Snider says is important for their son as well as his birth mom.
"It was hard (for Grey's birth mom). It wasn't like it was easy to choose life and give up your child," Snider said. "She put his needs before her own."
Sen. David Bullard emceed the program, including video messages from U.S. Senator James Lankford and Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Kay C. James, with remarks by Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Gov. Kevin Stitt, with testimony by Hope Pregnancy Center nurse, Amber D'Amico.
Rose Day committee members Candy Hines and Gayla White presented two Rose Day "Pro-life Champion Awards" established to recognize outstanding and faithful efforts to protect and save unborn babies. Recipients included Barbara Chishko, chief executive of Willow Pregnancy Support, and Susan Russell of Hope Pregnancy Centers.
Father Gregory Nguyen of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac Catholic Church in Oklahoma City gave the benediction.
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: (above) Fina Chongwa and Victoria Ososanya, sophomores at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. Photos Eliana Tedrow/Sooner Catholic.
Rose Day committee member Candy Hines presented Barbara Chishko the Rose Day “Pro-life Champion” award.
Susan Hogan, Debbie Lynch and Mary Ann Schmidt of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
