University of Montana Pro-Life Student Group Grows Despite Harassment, Earning Award Nomination

The University of Montana Students for Life group has been nominated for Students for Life of America’s Best College Group of the Year award, capping off a year of remarkable growth and determined activism despite facing significant campus controversy.

The group, which began in September 2021 as a one-person operation, has expanded to 20-30 active members who hosted nearly 20 events during the 2024-2025 academic year. Their nomination recognizes their exceptional work across Students for Life of America’s Five Pillars of Pro-Life Activism.

Election Efforts and CI-128 Response

Much of the group’s energy this year focused on opposing Constitutional Initiative 128, a ballot measure that allows abortion up to the moment of birth if it is determined that the mother’s health or wellbeing is at risk. Despite their extensive campaign efforts—including flyering, chalking, tabling, and election polling—CI-128 passed during the 2024 election.

The group participated in Students for Life Action’s Montana deployment in September and maintained their advocacy through November, even as they faced the disappointment of the measure’s passage. Their work included “Vote No” flyering in August, anti-CI-128 tabling in November, and election polling efforts.

Courage in a Hostile Environment

The persistence of UM Students for Life members throughout this challenging year represents a remarkable display of conviction amid significant social pressure. Operating in what Students for Life of America describes as a campus where “liberal and libertarian viewpoints predominate,” these students maintained their advocacy despite facing sustained hostility from their peers.

The intimidation tactics they encountered were not merely ideological disagreements but escalated to personal harassment—name-calling, insults, vandalism of their chalk drawings, spitting, and obscene gestures from fellow students. Such treatment would discourage many from continuing their activism, yet the group not only persevered but grew substantially in membership.

“Many of the group’s potential members felt a great deal of fear in openly expressing support for the pro-life cause,” according to Students for Life of America. That fear is understandable given the social climate these students navigate daily. However, the organization noted that many members “still recognize a need to provide a voice for the voiceless, and they will not be silenced.”

This determination to continue their mission despite social ostracism demonstrates a level of moral courage that extends beyond typical campus activism. In an era where conformity to prevailing campus opinion often seems the path of least resistance, these students chose to advocate for their beliefs regardless of personal cost.

Robin Sertell, Chair of Montanans For Life, who has worked directly with the group, praised their resilience: “During recent meetings with the UM Students for Life, I have been taken with their joy and compassion. This is an ambitious group who started their chapter from scratch, with steadfastness and professionalism, even though they’ve been shunned by many students on campus. They stood firm while being ridiculed, and called names. Regardless of the opposition, they handed out flyers and tabled, and continued to share the truth about life issues, particularly in opposition to CI-128. These are brave leaders, and I’m thrilled to vote for them.”

Speakers and Activism

Despite the hostile environment, the group brought notable speakers to campus, including Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins. Hawkins engaged with students in debate and delivered a speech about Planned Parenthood, drawing crowds for both events.

The group also demonstrated their commitment through fundraising efforts, raising nearly $5,000 through leaf-raking and homemade cookie sales to send 11 members to Washington, D.C. for the National Pro-Life March.

Clean Water Advocacy

Five board members received training to support the Clean Water for All Act, with the group’s vice president testifying before the Montana Congress about protecting clean water based on his hometown experience with toxic wastewater. While their legislative efforts were unsuccessful, the group found common ground with many students through campus tabling on the environmental issue.

Looking Ahead

For the 2025-2026 academic year, UM Students for Life plans to collaborate with CareNet and Montanans for Life to expand their programming, bring in more speakers, and provide additional resources for women on campus seeking alternatives to Planned Parenthood.

The winning group in Students for Life of America’s Best College Group category will receive a certificate, recognition on national social media accounts, and a $300 donation to support their efforts. Public voting for the award is currently open through Friday, June 20th, with winners to be announced on Sunday, June 29th live from the National Leaders Collective kickoff weekend in Washington D.C.