2007 NATIONAL PRO-LIFE CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Mary Ann Kuharski
Mary Ann Kuharski is a wife and mother of thirteen children, six of whom are adopted and of mixed races with "special needs." She is also the grandmother of fourteen. She and her husband John are members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Minneapolis and active members of the Knights of Columbus, Fridley Council.
Mary Ann is an author and speaker on life and family issues. She is a founding member and President of PROLIFE Across AMERICA, known as "The Billboard People" for its positive and persuasive educational messages which appear in 41 states. In 2006 alone they sponsored over 1,000 radio ads and 5,000 billboards across the U.S. Mary Ann has served in various aspects of the pro-life movement and as a volunteer counselor offering support to women with problem pregnancies. She is an Advisory Board Member of the National Council for Adoption and previously served on the Minnesota Governor's Task Force, regarding children with handicaps and special needs. She has testified twice in Congress on adoption related issues and has appeared on local and national radio and television, including Phil Donahue, PBS Debates and Mother Angelica's EWTN network - most recently with Father Mitch Pacwa. In 2006 Mary Ann was selected by the National Catholic Daughters of America to receive the Catholic Woman of the Year Award.
Monthly Columnist for the Catholic Servant
Lay Witness Magazine
Authored four books: Raising Catholic Children, (OSV Press)
Parenting With Prayer, (OSV Press)
Building a Legacy of Love, (Faith Publishing)
Outnumbered: Raising 13 Kids with Humor & Prayer, (Servant)
Dennis Savoie
Mr. Savoie holds an exemplary record of community service in New Brunswick: 14 years on the University of Moncton’s Board of Governors, 6 years on St. Thomas University’s Board, and 17 years as a minor hockey coach. Professionally, Dennis held several positions with NB Power during his 27 year tenure, and more recently was Exec. Director for the NB Nursing Homes Association. However, the Tracadie native is probably best known for his service to his church and the Knights of Columbus. After serving 9 years on the Board of Supreme Directors, Dennis was appointed Assistant Treasurer to the Supreme Headquarters of the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut. In 2006 he was named Deputy Supreme Knight of the worldwide organization.. Dennis has spoken at the National March for Life in Ottawa, and has spearheaded efforts to protect the institution of marriage.
Q and A with: Dennis Savoie - The Interim - Aug 2007
Lorraine Hartsook
A Canadian Award winning singer, songwriter, conference speaker and author. Lorraine has traveled extensively since launching her professional career. She is a sought-after international entertainer, bringing a message of faith, hope and love.
A true country girl, born and raised on a farm among the wheat fields of Saskatchewan, Canada. A little girl of eight years old who would stand in front of her bedroom mirror imitating artists from radio and dreaming of recording her own album some day. Self-taught in guitar and voice, Lorraine would play and sing at every opportunity receiving her first performance award at age eleven.
With marriage, Lorraine settled down to raise a family. She continued to use her musical gifts in the local church where she played guitar and sang. Secretly still hanging on to her dream, she would journal letters to God expressing the desire of her heart and the heavy burdens of everyday life issues. This expression came in the form of poems and lyrics, not knowing they would later become songs of hope for others around the world. She grew in faith, maturity and wisdom, found a fresh confidence to continue the steps to fulfill her ""dream"".
The little girl’’s dream became reality when with borrowed money and a 24 track recording studio, her debut album ""Believe and Receive"" was nominated for Best Country Gospel Album in 1994 by the Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA). Today with five more albums Lorraine has been accredited with numerous nominations and three awards from the SCMA, Gospel Music Association of Canada and Country Gospel Music Association out of Branson, Missouri.
In March 2006, Lorraine’’s most recent CD entitled Embrace The Cross has been awarded Best Country Gospel Album by the SCMA. October 2006, GMA of Canada announced two nominations for the song Embrace The Cross for Inspirational Song Of The Year and her new music video Bring That Child To Me for DVD Music Video Of The Year. Lorraine has also received an international award for Bring That Child To Me as International Music DVD Of The Year on October 21,2006 by the U.C.M.V.A. in Donnellson, Iowa.
Lorraine thanks God for the foundation that has been laid in recognition of her many talents and abilities. A platform that gives opportunity for her to sing and speak; sharing her powerful testimony of God’s unconditional love that resonates past all barriers. With her heart of compassion, powerful voice, and high-energy presentation, she leaves her Canadian, American and European audiences with a spirit of joy, a new hope and a renewed faith in God. Lorraine is truly touching hearts around the world.
Rev. John Ensor
Starting in January 2006, Rev. John Ensor assumed the role of Executive Director of Urban Initiatives for Heartbeat International, an organization that mobilizes and trains Christian Communities to operate pregnancy help centers around the world. He is currently working with Christian leaders to open five pregnancy help centers in the neediest neighborhoods of Miami, FL.
For fourteen years, (1991-2005) John served as President of A Woman’s Concern, a ministry of six Pregnancy Centers in and around Boston, MA dedicated to providing healthy, life-affirming assistance to women and couples in pregnancy distress.
John is an ordained Evangelical minister who speaks and writes on matters of Christian faith and ethics. John has written several books including Answering the Call, Saving Innocent Lives One Woman At A Time (Focus on the Family, 2003). His newest book is The Great Work of the Gospel (Crossway, 2006).
John and his wife, Kristen, have been married 28 years. They have three grown children and one daughter-in-law. Presently they live in Miami, FL.
Denise Mountenay
Denise Mountenay is the founder and president of Canada Silent No More. She is the author of FORGIVEN……a true story, a National Best Seller. For 17 years she has been passionately sharing her pain of abortion in Schools, Conferences, Prisons, Churches and has been a Guest on The Miracle Channel, It’’s a New Day, 100 Huntley Street and several Radio stations. Denise has a powerful testimony that has changed hearts and minds on this issue. She reminds us of the humanity of the unborn child and uses the latest research to confirm the truth that abortion does hurt women.
Around her kitchen table, Denise met with several other women who have experienced the grief of abortion. They agreed that there was a need to reach and unite women damaged by abortion. They elected a board of directors and the organization was formed. Together, they have a passion to let other hurting, post abortive women know that they are not alone and that help is available.
Natalie Hudson
Ms. Hudson is the Executive Director of Right to Life Association of Toronto. She received her bachelors in Liberal Arts at Thomas Aquinas College, California and completed a graduate business program at Capilano College in Vancouver. Her background also includes four years of teaching a wide variety of high school subjects and dancing with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Natalie has always had a passion for the pro-life movement. She has spoken to thousands of young people and offers a unique message about the meaning of personhood and human happiness. She is well versed in issues relating to abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and the human reproductive technologies.
The Right to Life Association of Toronto has been in operation for over 35 years working on behalf of the unborn, the elderly and disabled by bringing the pro-life message to students, church groups, members of parliament, educators and the general public. The Association hopes that you will be able to make use of Ms. Hudson’s dynamic approach in presenting the Culture of Life.
John-Henry Westen
John-Henry Westen, age 33, is the co-founder and editor of LifeSite News, a daily electronic news service promoting the culture of life.
John-Henry's skill as a researcher and write accounts for LifeSite's effectiveness and unique perspective.
LifeSite News, is a daily electronic news service promoting life and family values. Worldwide, it is considered a major life and family news service. LifeSite articles have been reprinted in numerous Catholic and secular publications such as EWTN, Catholic World Report, Crisis, The Wanderer, Challenge, Catholic Insight, and many others.
LifeSite gets about 6 million hits per month. Articles in LifeSite News are quoted widely in religious and secular media and definitely impacts politics here and abroad. For instance, the Norwegian Parliament had an intensive debate because of a LifeSite story on a development in Norway. Stories on LifeSite are also regularly used as story leads to the secular press.
He lives in Combermere, Ontario with his wife Dianne and their 6 children.
Dr. Clem Persaud
Clement Persaud was born in Guyana, South America. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons), University of Ottawa; a M.Sc., McGill University; and a Ph.D., University of the West Indies.
Clem was a Professor of Medical Microbiology and Biotechnology at Canadore College in Northern Ontario for 23 years. He has lectured, worked and researched in Microbiology nationally and internationally. In early retirement since 1999, he has devoted much of his time to sanctity of life issues, and has spoken often on the ethics and science of stem cells. In December 2002, he gave expert testimony to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in relation to Bill C13; in February 2004, he was a member of a Senate-appointed panel on embryo research in relation to Bill C-6. In September 2005, he was on a lecture tour of Australia and New Zealand, speaking on cloning and embryo research legislation.
Clem is an Advisor to the Institute of Cellular Medicine, a Costa Rican clinic that uses ethical stemcells for therapy.
Alex Schadenberg
Alex Schadenberg is the 36 year-old Executive Director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. He has had articles published in newspapers throughout Canada including the Ottawa Citizen, the Globe and Mail, the BC Catholic, the Catholic Register, The Interim, and many local newspapers. Alex’s commentary on the recent statement by Pope John Paul II, on Life-Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State were published by news services worldwide.
In 1996, Alex published Toward A Culture of Life - An explanation of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Respect for Human Life.
Alex has written educational pamphlets on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, Invitro-Fertilization and Embryo Experimentation, Building A Culture of Life, and Abortion.
In his previous employment, he served as the Executive Director of the Diocese of London Pro-Life Office where he worked under Bishop John Michael Sherlock. Alex was Knights of Columbus Ontario State Chairman for pro-life and the family activities from 1995 to 1996. He also served as school trustee for the Elgin County Roman Catholic School Board from 1995-1998.
Alex graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1991.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition successfully intervened in the Holland v Hawyrluck case in Toronto in 2004. Joyce Holland is an 81- year old woman with Alzheimer disease who had stated in her power of attorney for personal care that she wished to receive medical treatment until her natural death. She had legally named her daughters as her attorneys for personal care. Her physician had refused to provide further medical treatment, other than comfort care. Her daughters respected their mother’s wishes and refused to agree to the physician’s plan of treatment. The physician brought the case to the Consent and Capacity Board, who agreed with the physician and ordered the daughters to give consent to the doctors medical plan (lack of treatment). Due to Joyce Holland’s condition, the removal of specific medical care would have resulted in her death. The daughters appealed the decision. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition won intervener status on December 24, 2003, presented the constitutional questions and the Society’s wider interest. Justice Cullity decided that the Board erred in law and in facts and put aside their decision.
Alex and his wife Susan live in West Lorne, Ontario with their 6 children.
Samantha Singson
Samantha Ann Singson hails from Toronto, Canada. She graduated in 2002 from the University of Toronto with a degree in Political Science with a concentration on International Relations. For the past three summers, she has also taken post-graduate courses in comparative law and politics at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.
Since 1999, Miss Singson has worked to defend life and family both in Canada and at the United Nations, frequently traveling to New York and Geneva to monitor UN conferences as the International Affairs Officer for Campaign Life Coalition. Miss Singson has been present at every major UN meeting in New York since 2000 when she participated in the five-year review of the Beijing Conference on Women.
She served as a member of the editorial advisory board of The Interim, a monthly pro-life and pro-family Canadian publication and has been a regular contributor. She has also contributed to Lifesite News, a daily newswire.
Miss Singson has appeared in Canadian television, radio and print media and has traveled all over Canada to speak about UN issues.
In February 2006, Miss Singson moved to New York City to take up the post as Director of Government Relations for C-FAM.
Stephanie Gray
Stephanie Gray is one of Canada’s outstanding young pro-life advocates. Executive director of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, she has given pro-life presentations throughout North America. She has debated and spoken at numerous universities and high schools, and appeared on many radio and TV programs in Canada and the United States. She has debated abortion advocates including Ron Fitzsimmons, director of the U.S. National Coalition of Abortion Providers. One person who heard her presentation said, “I came in choice, I’m leaving life.” Come and hear a dynamic speaker who’s turning heads!
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Jim Hughes
Jim Hughes was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is 63 years old and has been married for 40 years to Virginia, a registered nurse. They have 4 children ranging in age from 21 to 37 and are blessed with four grandchildren.
In 1978, Jim turned his back on a successful career to become the Toronto Chairman of Campaign Life. In 1982, Jim was elected President of Campaign Life Canada. In 1987, he became the President of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) Canada, which was created from the merger of Campaign Life and Coalition for Life. These days, Jim puts in an average of 80 hours per week in the movement.
CLC is a national pro-life organization working at all levels of government in Canada to secure all full legal protection for all human beings, from the time of conception (fertilization) to natural death. IT is the political branch of the pro-life movement, which helps to elect pro-lifers to public office and to defeat pro-abortion candidates and incumbents. CLC is also actively involved on the international political level, representing pro-life/pro-family minded Canadians.
Jim is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and of Legatus, a Catholic business group that was founded by Tom Monaghan of Domino's Pizza.
Jim strongly believes that youth "are not our future but our present" and must be a front-line part of the pro-life movement. In this regard, CLC from its inception has hired students as interns who go through several courses on abortion, euthanasia, and stem cell research and are trained in pro-life activities. Many of these young people have gone on to become leaders of pro-life groups in their localities. A number of them are now also representing CLC at U.N. conferences.
In March 1983, CLC founded The Interim; Canada's only pro-life, pro-family newspaper. Fr. Paul Marx, OSB, Founder of Human Life International says of The Interim: "In my judgement, it's the finest pro-life newspaper in the worlds." What's more, no pro-lifer can afford not to read Canada's outstanding pro-life newspaper, The Interim.
The Interim started the Internet-based LifeSite Daily News in 1997. "As president of American Life League and a pro-lifer who loves keeping up on the news, I extend my deepest gratitude to you for a service that is not only imperative but, in your case, concise and more than useful! Keep up the good work!" Judie Brown, President, American Life League.
In 1994 CLC became involved at the UN and has since obtained ECOSOC status as an NGO. CLC has sent participants to various UN conferences including Cairo (on Population & Development), Copenhagen (on Social Development), Beijing (on Women), Istanbul (on Housing), Rome (on Food), and Lisbon (on Youth).
In 2000, Jim became a board member of International Right to Life (IRTL) Federation representing Canada and was unanimously elected as Vice-President of the IRTL Board in October 2002 and re-elected in February 2005.
Over the years, Jim has worked to build a stronger sense of unity among pro-lifers, championing a closer cooperation between the educational, service, and political organizations within the pro-life movement.
Jim is an avid sports fan who enjoys most sports and spends whatever free time he can cycling, reading, and cooking. He takes regular strolls along the boardwalk in the Beaches - (area of Toronto) where Jim has lived for most of his life.
Joanne Byfield
Joanne Byfield came to Alberta from Ontario in 1978. She was for many years a reporter for Alberta Report magazine, covering energy, business and schools and has freelanced for several other publications, including the Financial Post, Financial Times and Energy Magazine. She hosted a radio talk show on CJCA in Edmonton and Shine FM in Calgary in 2001.
In 1995, she was the spokesman for the Committee to End Tax-Funded Abortions in Alberta. She served as president of Alberta Pro-Life from 1997 until 2001 and was re-elected president in November 2002 completing her term on the APL board in 2004. She is editor of The Rose, Alberta Pro-Life’s quarterly newsletter.
Joanne has been the President of LifeCanada, the national educational pro-life group, since 2004.
She also serves on the board of ALIES, which operates a ministry to abortion-minded women called The Back Porch located across from the Morgentaler Clinic in Edmonton.
Joanne lives north of Edmonton with her husband Link and the youngest of their four children.
