Coming from a first-generation immigrant family that left the former Soviet Union, I grew up understanding that family is everything. My parents came to the United States with almost nothing but the belief that life, every life, is sacred and worth protecting. They often told me that the freedom and safety I was born into came at the cost of courage and sacrifice. My dad would say that back home, people didn’t always have a choice, not in what they said, not in what they believed, and certainly not in what they valued. Here, we do. And that freedom to choose what’s right is exactly why I am pro-life.

For me, being pro-life isn’t just about a belief,  it’s about a responsibility. It’s about standing up for the voiceless in a culture that often treats life as something disposable.

I’ve seen how easy it is for society to hide behind words like “choice” or “freedom” while ignoring the deeper truth: every abortion ends a heartbeat, a future, a person. We live in a world that tells young people to “do what feels right,” but I’ve learned that real strength comes from doing what is right,  even when it’s hard or unpopular. 

Growing up, I learned compassion from my mother, who used to cook meals for new mothers in our neighborhood who were struggling. She never asked their circumstances, never judged. She just showed up. That’s what being pro-life means to me - showing up for people, especially when it’s difficult. Life doesn’t end at birth; it continues through love, care, and community. That’s why I’ve gotten involved in volunteer work that focuses not just on talking about life, but supporting it,  helping families, children, and anyone facing hardship. 

Being pro-life in today’s culture isn’t easy. Social media, news outlets, and even classrooms often push the idea that abortion is empowerment. Sometimes I feel like being pro-life automatically labels you as old-fashioned or out of touch. I’ve had friends question my beliefs, and I’ve had teachers challenge me to “think more progressively.” But to me, standing for life is progress, it’s believing in humanity’s potential, not denying it. Every time I feel discouraged, I think about what my family went through just to give me a chance at a better life. How could I not stand up for the chance of another?

What keeps me motivated is knowing that being pro-life isn’t just about preventing abortion, it’s about promoting a culture of love, support, and understanding. It’s about helping women who are scared, providing resources, and reminding them that they’re not alone. It’s about changing the narrative from judgment to compassion. I’ve learned that most people don’t need to be lectured; they need to be loved through their pain and reminded that there’s always another way.

 As America approaches its 250th birthday, I can’t help but think about the ideals our nation was founded on, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those words weren’t written with conditions. They didn’t say “some lives.” They meant all lives. To be pro-life, especially as a young person today, is to believe in that promise - that every human being, no matter how small, deserves a chance to live, to dream, and to make their mark on the world.

I know I’m still young, but I also know that silence helps no one. If I can use my voice - even just one voice - to defend life and to help others see its beauty, then that’s something worth standing for. My family taught me that life is fragile, sacred, and precious. And I carry that with me every day, not just as a belief, but as a way of living. Because at the end of the day, hope has a heartbeat. And as long as it does, I’ll keep defending it.