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Our History
Heartbeat's Origin
1971 "Alternatives to Abortion"
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Late founders John Hillabrand, M.D., and Mrs. Lore Maier, (1981)
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Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. (1994)
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HBI Governing Board, (2005)
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- Founded in response to the state-by-state effort to liberalize laws that restricted abortion - our founders knew liberal abortion laws would put pressure on women to have abortions;
- Alternatives to Abortion (soon after named Alternatives to Abortion International or "AAI") was spearheaded by a pro-life obstetrician, John Hillabrand, M.D., and Mrs. Lore Maier;
- AAI's mission as a "humanitarian" organization was to provide a safety net of emergency pregnancy support so that no one would ever feel forced to have an abortion;
- By 1992, 75 potential contacts had grown to about 200 affiliates;
- Dedicated volunteers led the organization with a tiny annual income of about $10,000.
Heartbeat's Reorganization
1993 "Heartbeat International"
- Changed name from Alternatives to Abortion International (AAI) to Heartbeat International (HBI);
- Hired first paid staff (President, Peggy Hartshorn);
- Became an interdenominational, Christian organization consisting primarily of Evangelical and Catholic Christians yoked together as fellow laborers in His vineyard;
- Began a process of growth, development, collaboration, and visioning resulting in Heartbeat today.
Heartbeat International Today
Led by professional staff, Board, and councils
- Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., its first paid President, active in pro-life movement since 1973;
- Staff of 24, full- and part-time employees;
- Governing Board represents all areas of the U.S., in Christian ministry, business, and education;
- Advisory councils include a Medical Advisory Board;
- International Council has representatives from six different countries;
- President's Council has affiliate representation from every region;
- Now supports nearly 1,100 pregnancy centers in 48 states and in 42 countries;
- Operates with a yearly budget of $1.6 million;
- Ready with a dynamic growth plan!
Heartbeat's Milestones for Life
Print off the History of the Pregnancy Center Movement...
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