Birthright Victoria
Birthright Victoria is a non-profit charitable society providing friendship and support to women facing unplanned pregnancy. We’ve been helping pregnant women for more than 30 years. Our parent organization, Birthright International, has chapters across Canada, the United States, and Africa. We are supported by devoted volunteers, local fund raising efforts, and private donations.
Some Birthright History
Birthright first began in Toronto, Ontario, in 1968 with Louise Summerhill. A busy housewife and mother of seven, Louise felt called to help women facing unplanned pregnancy. The grassroots response to her idea was both positive and overwhelming. That first Toronto chapter quickly grew into Birthright International, the world’s first crisis pregnancy service.
Many Birthright volunteers and clients feel a special affection for Louise Summerhill. An ordinary woman who did something extraordinary to help others. Events in her own life helped Louise to understand the feelings of pregnant girls and women. She also had experienced loneliness, fear of criticism, tension with parents, and even the shock of unexpected pregnancy!
Birthright began very humbly with a one-room office and $300 in the bank. Louise’s steady leadership and powerful vision ensured the new pregnancy service survived despite these challenges. In later years, Louise spoke of being glad that Birthright had begun so humbly. It forced Birthright to rely instead on “the good hearts and hard work of volunteers.” All these years later, Birthright remains true to Louise’s original vision of personal, one-to-one contact. Louise’s Birthright is “approachable and informal” for clients and volunteers alike.
Birthright takes a caring approach to helping women through their pregnancy dilemmas. Indeed, Louise always regretted that some young mothers were belittled or ostracized by their relatives. She said, “I can never see anything wrong with any of them.” At Birthright, Louise created the supportive, home-like environment they deserved. Louise’s vision also set the pattern for Birthright chapters around the world. A pattern that today defines Birthright care. It ensures that pregnant women receive the same considerate treatment at every Birthright centre. And it helps volunteers to preserve the essence of Birthright.
In Louise’s own words, “The essence of Birthright is love.”
