By Marie Mulvenna

Volunteers manning the Georgia Right to Life booth at the recent Southeastern Fair describe the response of the public to their efforts as “tremendous.” During the 10-day fair in Atlanta, scores of people stopped at the booth’s striking display, a first in the history of the local committee for printed materials and educational aids on the subject of abortion.

In addition to hundreds of inquiries of all types, stacks of petitions were signed by persons seeking a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion.

Shirley Williams of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish said she was overwhelmed by the tremendous response of the public, explaining that endless numbers of people voiced their appreciation to the group for having the display at the fair.

“People really lack education,” Mrs. Williams stated. “Some of them told us they didn’t really realize there was a child there – that the very act of abortion involves a living child.”

Mrs. Williams said the experience at the fair booth had “been an education for me as well,” adding that there was no adverse reaction to the Right to Life Committee’s efforts in reaching the public. “I was very much encouraged that the right to life message was so openly received. I just wish we could do it on a permanent basis.”

Volunteer Ron Bodazer, a youth minister and student at Atlanta’s Christian College, spoke enthusiastically of the project, in which he first became interested about five months ago when he heard Mr. and Mrs. Jay Bowman speak on the topic of abortion.

Now an active member of the Right to Life group, Bodazer said he was pleased at the response of the public. “People are actually ignorant of the real meaning of abortion. This display has helped make them much more aware of life in its varied stages from conception to birth.”

Bodazer said he couldn’t help but reflect on the ironic situation occurring daily in hospitals. “At one end of the hall they are struggling to save a life and at the other they are willfully taking a life.”

Bodazer referred to a book entitled “Handbook on Abortion” written by Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Willke. He called it a “fantastic” description and education in the matter of abortion and said that the writers were expected to speak in Atlanta in November, sponsored by the Right to Life Committee.

Both Mrs. Williams and Bodazer contended that their exposure to the public on the subject of abortion had made it clear that many did not know there was another route. The booth offered a wide variety of pro-life literature and graphic presentations of the fetus at different stages of development. The booth itself was made possible by the contributions of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Knights of Columbus.

Hundreds of names were submitted to the volunteers by people interested in receiving the monthly newsletter of the committee.

Bodazer summed up public reaction to the 10-day project: “People stopped all day long. If they didn’t stop and pick up material, then you can be sure they took a long, hard and surprising look at our display. That itself is encouraging in our pro-life efforts.”