March for Life 2026 recap

By Maggie DeWitte, Executive Director, Pulse Life Advocates

This was my 16^th year organizing this pilgrimage to Washington DC.  The March for life is one of Pulse’s longest-standing events dating back to the very first March for life in which the founder of our organization, Caroline Thompson, was on stage with the organizer of the National March for life, Nellie Grey in 1974.

Each year everyone asks, “how was the trip?”  In which I answer- “it was fantastic, one of the best trips yet!” And I really do mean it.  Because each trip brings a different perspective, activities, people and events that make it unique. There are always things that don’t go as planned and things that go exactly as planned.  But honestly some of the things that don’t go as planned end up being some of the most talked about for the entire trip!

We beat out another potential snowmageddon and had to cut our trip a little short on Saturday; something we were not so fortunate to do when that happened in 2016 and were stranded on the side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 24 hours on our bus. We had some really warm temperatures for the actual day of the March and some really cold temperatures for our free day in DC.

Highlights of the 2026 March for Life

This year I was honored to be on stage along with other state leaders to be recognized for the great work being done in our individual states.  Because we had backstage passes, we had the opportunity to have a front row seat to the rally. It was incredible to have a close-up view of our Vice-President JD Vance as well as other leaders across the country. 

As much as I admire VP Vance, the highlight was the Friends of Club 21 Choir.  This is a vocal ensemble composed of individuals with Down syndrome and their supporters.  It is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization and the choir exists to celebrate and showcase the unique beauty and talent within each participant through the power of music.  They brought tears to my eyes. Looking at all of these beautiful individuals on stage, they were so excited to be there and it hit me- we are exterminating this population of people.

This is one of the sad realities of abortion. 

Nearly 90% of women who receive a diagnosis of down syndrome for their unborn child chose abortion.  As I saw their faces on that stage it made me sick to my stomach.  They exuded joy and we have so much to learn from them.

The biggest highlight for me, though, was once again getting to experience this pilgrimage with my two daughters.  This job takes a lot, including time away from my family.  It is moments like this that I can show them what I do and why I do it.  To help them understand the importance of this work and why I must do it!  And they become part of it as well and share it with their friends and that is how this movement grows, one person at a time.

See photos from the trip on our March for Life  page HERE

So, ya …  this trip, it was fantastic, one the best trips yet!