Press Releases

Kay Coles James Declared Winner of Life Prizes Pro-Life Award

National Pro-life Activist Among Recipients of $600,000 in Prizes Awarded to Greatest Heroes in the Movement

Natick, MA - Natick, MA - The Gerard Health Foundation is pleased to announce Kay Coles James as a winner of its inaugural Life Prizes awards, granted to six individuals or groups that have made unsurpassed strides in preserving and upholding the sanctity of human life. Mrs. James is founder and President of The Gloucester Institute, a non profit 501 (c)-3 organization seeking to recreate a generation of principled "solutionists" willing to tackle the challenges that face our society in a manner not governed by partisan structures, but rather, by the principles of faith, family, and character that defined the civil rights struggle. Building on the legacy of some of America's greatest civil rights pioneers, she provides a haven for young African American leaders to engage in intellectual thought and debate and giving them the access needed to create solutions for current issues faced by their communities. She and her husband Charles James have worked to advance the pro-life cause for three decades as advocates in the highest levels of government, including the Reagan and both Bush presidential administrations and as a founder of a pregnancy resource center. Kay and Charles James live in the Washington, DC suburb of Fairfax, VA.

Cathy Ruse, Executive Director of Life Prizes, offered her congratulations:

"Kay is nothing short of an icon in the movement and in our nation's capital," stated Cathy Ruse. "Her diplomacy and efforts in the most powerful ranks of our government have given credence to the weight of her pro-life ideals. We thank her for being a crucial part of advancing pro-life legislation and for pioneering pro-life activism within minority communities."

Kay Coles James accepted graciously:

"I've stood in solidarity with so many pro-life champions over the years and am truly honored to be among the recipients of the first Life Prizes award," stated Mrs. James. "Today, a new generation of leaders is being called to continue the fight to cherish life through their own personal example, as well as in government and the many avenues of political discourse. To them, I say that we must never forget that the first civil right is life itself and that safeguarding that right requires of them integrity, principle and good will."

The Life Prizes winners were measured by their success in saving lives and selected for best demonstrating their leadership and progress in pro-life achievements through public advocacy, scientific research, legal action, outreach and public discourse activities. More than 100 nominations were submitted to the Gerard Health Foundation which worked in conjunction with Cathy Ruse and the Selection Advisory Committee to evaluate each nomination and select the recipients. Members of the committee who brought their own advocacy expertise and knowledge of the pro-life movement include Archbishop of Denver Charles Chaput, the Reverend Dr. Alveda King, Ambassador Ray Flynn, and Professor Hadley Arkes of Amherst College.

The $600,000 in total prizes will be divided among all of this year's recipients, including the other five winners:

• Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG)
• Richard Doerflinger
• Margaret "Peggy" Hartshorn
• Jill Stanek
• Lila Rose

"The accomplishments of these pro-life heroes are diverse, valiant, and nothing short of inspiring," stated Raymond Ruddy, President of the Gerard Health Foundation. "They are the movement's most successful champions of life and their achievements will inspire future pro-life generations to be bold and brilliant in undertaking the many challenges that lie ahead in spreading a culture of life."

After the initial nomination process made on behalf of more than 100 esteemed nominators, the Life Prizes' Selection Advisory Committee assisted the Gerard Health Foundation in the difficult job of narrowing the finalists down to secure the six prominent recipients. The awards will be given at a ceremony held in Washington, DC on January 23, 2009.

More information is available at www.LifePrizes.org

About Life Prizes
Life Prizes is a program that awards those who have succeeded in awakening the conscience of America to uphold and preserve the sanctity of human life through their leadership and advances in public advocacy, scientific research, outreach and public disclosure activities, legal action, and other noteworthy achievements. The award is named the "Norinne A. and Raymond E. Ruddy Memorial Pro-Life Prize" to memorialize Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Ruddy, strong believers in the pro-life cause and parents of Raymond B. Ruddy, a pro-life philanthropist who has long supported and donated to life causes and charities throughout the world. In addition to recognizing those on the front lines of saving lives and who have most significantly advanced pro-life principles and practices, the initiative seeks to encourage and inspire the next generation of youth to accomplish great things in the name of life.