Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

Women are told that choosing life for their baby with ruin their lives.

“You cannot be happy,” they say.

“You cannot be successful.”

Julie’s story proves the opposite.

Julie herself faced an unplanned pregnancy and seriously contemplated abortion. She realized that if she were to get an abortion, no one would know. She could keep her secret.

While she considered her options, someone reached out to Julie and promised to walk with her through her pregnancy. Because of the support she received, Julie chose life for her daughter.

Now, Julie’s personal experience with unplanned pregnancy helps her relate to women who walk into Waterleaf Women’s Center in Aurora, Illinois, a pregnancy resource center where she serves as executive director.

Waterleaf’s location is directly across from a Planned Parenthood branch for the purpose of giving women a visible choice between life and death for their baby.

“We feel the most important thing is for women to know they’re not alone. It’s very scary to find out you’re pregnant when it wasn’t planned. I get it. I’ve been there,” says Julie.

Learn more about Julie’s story her work by clicking here or by watching below.