Unplanned Movie Actress Establishes Scholarship For Women In A Crisis Pregnancy

19 August 2019

The scholarship will help pregnant women pursue their educations

The world’s oldest pro-life organisation, SPUC, has welcomed news that the leading actress of Unplanned, Ashley Bratcher, has helped establish a scholarship for women pursuing an education during an unexpected pregnancy.

The actress, Ms Bratcher, who starred as former Planned Parenthood clinic Director, Abby Johnson, in the box-office hit Unplanned, has confirmed that the scholarship will dedicate $5,000 annually for a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Empowering mothers to chase their dreams

In a statement, Ms Bratcher said: "After the release of Unplanned, I received an overwhelming number of messages from women who had been touched by the film. Some described the sacrifices they made in choosing life, and some were currently facing unplanned pregnancies they feared would interfere with completing or attending college. It was then that I realised the need to reverse the stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies."

Ms Bratcher continued: "Women can pursue their careers, live out their dreams, and have richer, more fulfilling lives while balancing motherhood…sometimes it just takes a little help. I wanted to be part of empowering mothers to chase their dreams and to provide a means for those who chose life to continue their educations."

Ms Bratcher, who starred in the Unplanned movie, played the role of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic Director, turned pro-life advocate.

The unplanned movie scholarship: Encourage. Educate. Empower

The scholarship, called the Unplanned Movie Scholarship, is expected to dedicate $5,000 every year for a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. The $5,000 can be invested in a wide range of educational opportunities of the woman’s choosing.

The project is backed by Heartbeat International, the largest pregnancy help network in the world, who offer women and girls facing unplanned pregnancies resources and support so that they can continue to pursue their goals whilst raising their children.

President of Heartbeat International, Jol-El Godsey, said: "Tucked into Unplanned is a vivid reminder that education can present an obstacle to accepting the new life within. The Unplanned Movie Scholarship will be a lifeline to a young mom’s future while she makes the brave choice to embrace motherhood. We believe women are fully capable, given the opportunity, to achieve big things. Heartbeat International is privileged to partner with Ashely and Unplanned to see life choices championed."

Speaking to CNA, Andrea Trudden, Director of Communications for Heartbeat International, said that many women shared a common conflict - they needed financial support to finish their education.

Ms Trudden said that the opportunity will provide women the support they need to pursue their education, but that it also presents a bigger message; that women can have careers and also be mothers.

It is expected that the scholarship will begin accepting applicants at the end of this year, after the organization receives enough funds. The scholarship is now accepting donations here.

An excellent example of pro-life support

SPUC Campaign Research Officer, Margaret Akers, said: "This positive action is not only what the pro-life movement should be embracing, but it is also exactly what women and girls facing an unplanned pregnancy deserve to hear. When facing an unplanned pregnancy, it is entirely unacceptable that any woman should be left so unsupported that she feels she must choose between education and her child."

Ms Akers continued: "The pro-life community should be supporting those women who face an unplanned pregnancy and provide her with the resources necessary in order to make positive choices for her life. The Unplanned Movie Scholarship is an excellent example of such support."

Unplanned Movie Actress Establishes Scholarship For Women In A Crisis Pregnancy

19 August 2019

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