Life empowers women, not abortion, and Melissa is one of likely tens of thousands of abortion survivors who exemplify this. Melissa is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion, but like every survivor, she is so much more than this experience.
Melissa is a sought-after speaker, author, and advocate. Her experience of surviving a saline infusion abortion and being united with many members of her biological family initially led her to this life's work, but connecting with other abortion survivors, mothers, and families impacted by failed, stopped, and reversed abortions is what has truly ignited her passion.
Melissa’s survival experience is nothing short of miraculous. Still, it’s what God has continued to do in her life and opened her eyes and heart to that continues to inspire, heal, and even convert pro-choice individuals to pro-life. From giving birth to her oldest daughter in the hospital she was accidentally delivered alive in, to forgiving her birthmother and establishing a relationship with her, Melissa reaches audiences with a message that they can relate to.
As a convert to the Catholic Church, Melissa’s vocation as wife and mother, of carrying the cross of her survival, is a beautiful reminder to the world of our daily fiats, big and small, and the transformative power they have on us personally, as well as on others.
Melissa is a Master’s level prepared Social Worker and the author of the award-winning memoir You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir and co-author of Abortion Survivors Break Their Silence.
Melissa is a frequent contributor to pro-life and conservative news outlets and a regular guest on radio and television programs worldwide including: EWTN programs, Focus on the Family, Hannity, Fox News, Newsmax, and countless more. She is featured in numerous documentaries and public campaigns to change hearts and minds on abortion, including Divided Hearts of America with Benjamin Watson.
Although Melissa’s heart is for providing help and hope to all affected by abortion, she also strives to humanize the unborn and abortion survivors through activism. She has testified before Congressional committees numerous times and is an internationally recognized expert on abortion and abortion survivors.
In addition to her survival experience, Melissa brings a depth of knowledge to her work and events. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and has worked in the fields of substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence and sexual assault counseling, and child welfare.
Melissa has over ten years of experience in non-profit management, advocacy storytelling, coalitions, strategic messaging, project development, and clinical supervision. She is the Founder and CEO of The Abortion Survivors Network, the only support and advocacy organization for abortion survivors and their families worldwide. Melissa and her team have connected with nearly 800 abortion survivors as of July 2024.
Melissa and her family reside in Kansas City, Missouri.
Melissa has spoken at events as large as the March for Life, with hundreds of thousands in attendance, to small church groups since 2007. She speaks regularly at events and sites, including:
- Middle and High Schools
- College Campuses
- Conferences (Virtual and In-Person)
- Fundraisers (including both keynote and appeal)
- Emceeing large events where speakers have included Jim Caveziel and Tim Tebow
- Panels--whether leading a panel of abortion survivors for education and inspiration or as a panelist with other leaders, speaking on issues such as abortion healing
- Political events
- State and Federal legislative testimony and advocacy events
- Churches and Parishes, Youth Groups
- Conservative Policy events
- Catholic Business events such as Legatus
- Rallies and Marches
