A tribute to the founder of Pulse Life Advocates, Carolyn Thompson
IFL recognized Carolyn Thompson (right) with our Life Award
Prior to the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, thirty states entirely banned human abortion. Another sixteen, including Iowa, banned it except in specific circumstances, such as Iowa’s allowance if the mother’s life was in danger.
Carolyn Thompson became concerned that some Iowa legislators wanted to loosen protections on the rights of the unborn. She founded Iowans for Life in 1972 to provide a voice for the defenseless unborn.
Carolyn died in 2024 at the age of eighty-six.
Her obituary describes her pro-life activism:
Carolyn Thompsons meets with Governor Robert Ray
”Known affectionately as “Coach,” she was a go-getter lobbyist who helped shape and pass legislation. Among her most notable accomplishments was helping secure passage of the Feticide Section of the Iowa Criminal Code, which remains in effect today.
She worked closely with Governor Terry Branstad and Senator Chuck Grassley in their mission to save lives, spoke regularly with President Ronald Reagan’s Director of Correspondence, and even had a private meeting with President George H. W. Bush.
A gifted communicator and tireless advocate, Carolyn devoted herself to educating others and spreading awareness about the cause she believed in so deeply.
Carolyn Thompson meets with Governor Terry Branstad
Through speaking engagements, grassroots organizing, media outreach, and countless personal conversations, she brought statewide and national attention to the movement. Her efforts resulted in coverage in local and national newspapers and interviews with major television news organizations, allowing her message to reach countless individuals across the country.
Her greatest talent was finding just the right people to join the organization in what she always called “saving the babies.” Her love, charm, talent, beauty, and style strengthened the cause and left a lasting impression on everyone she met.”
Carolyn Thompson meets with President George H.W. Bush
Carolyn Thompson meets with George H.W. Bush
What a legacy!
Carolyn Thompson leaves behind a remarkable pro-life legacy. Iowans For Life is the longest-standing pro-life group in Iowa. It rebranded in 2021 as Pulse Life Advocates and has seen its reach expand to every corner of the state.
IFL/Pulse has been instrumental in testifying at the Capitol on behalf of the unborn, resulting in the passage of key pro-life legislation over the past decade.
We’ve taken thousands of students on pilgrimages to the March for Life in Washington DC.
Pulse co-founded the Iowa March For Life (coming again this Saturday!).
Our resource-rich website (PulseForLife.org) reaches thousands of people every single month with the latest pro-life news for Iowans.
Pulse has produced on-line pro-life webinars, video series, and speeches that educate and inspire our youth.
We’ve brought in some of the country’s leading pro-life spokespersons to our annual Christmas Gala, including the upcoming speech by actor Jim Caviezel, star of “The Passion of the Christ.”
It takes but a single person to launch a movement. Carolyn Thompson was that person in Iowa. Who knows how many babies her activism saved!
There is a special place in heaven for Carolyn Thompson. Pulse Life Advocates, formerly Iowans for Life, honors our founder, Carolyn Thompson.
[You can honor Carolyn Thompson’s legacy with your gift to Pulse today. No amount is too small.]
