Early today, even as the sun had not yet risen in Pierre, SDRTL was up at the Capitol once again actively advocating for LIFE during this 101st SD Legislative Session. 

#105 South Dakotans, with a wide variety of backgrounds, from across the state, come to Pierre, serve for less than 40 days, then go home and live with the laws that they have passed. Then, if anything needs to be fixed, they come back next year and do it again. This is the beauty of our citizen Legislature. 

It’s been said: South Dakota is a pretty special place. Our strength lies in our people. Our work matters because of the people of South Dakota. After all our state’s motto remains —  “Under God, the People Rule.”

The 2026 Legislative Session began Tuesday, January 13, with Governor Larry Rhoden’s State of the State address. He highlighted in his speech a variety of issues such as freedom, property tax relief, public safety, education, AND chemical abortion. On this topic the Governor profoundly said, "The biggest threat to unborn lives is abortion pills being illegally mailed into our state.” Watch for legislation to come dealing with this important issue.

Wednesday, January 14, followed with the State of the Judiciary address by Chief Justice Steven Jensen and State of the Tribes by the President of the Rosebud Sioux tribe, President Kathleen Wooden Knife.

To date we have seen #199 Bills filed and some #13 Resolutions. This number may well be doubled before all is said and done. SDRTL will be carefully evaluating these these pieces of legislation and others as they are filed in the coming few weeks.

Concerning our Pro-Life Legislation this is what I can tell you.  WE’LL BE BUSY!  A number of our Bills are still in the process of being fine-tuned so simply stay alert and follow our work at the Capitol by going to our website at sdRightToLife.org, and then click on the ‘Legislative Information Tab’.

SDRTL is supporting House Concurrent Resolution 6002 - 'Honoring the life and achievements of the late Charlie Kirk'. This Resolution recently passed on the House Floor on a vote of 60 to 5. The closing sentence of this well-worded Resolution reads: “Be it further resolved, that the Legislature extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Charlie Kirk, and encourages the people of South Dakota to reflect on his legacy as a model of passionate advocacy and public service.”  

I recently heard a powerful statement by Dr. Sebastian Gorka who said - “A civilization can be measured in many ways, but the most powerful way to measure a civilization is how it treats the most vulnerable — the unborn, the children, and the aged. A civilization that doesn't protect them will collapse.”

And so, that in part, is the reason why …"SDRTL exists to protect and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death!” Thank you for standing with us and praying for us as we legislate for LIFE! 

SDRTL and the Rapid City Area RTL Chapter Co-Hosted this year’s annual ‘Black Hills Area Sanctity of Human Life Memorial Service’ on Sunday, January 18 at the First Assembly of God Church in Rapid City. President Ronald Reagan declared January as ‘Sanctity of Human Life Month’ in 1984. Since then churches and pro-life organizations across the United States have taken the third Sunday of January to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade by praying for our country, the lives lost to abortion, and healing for the many wounds left in the aftermath of abortion. 

Last Sunday Dr. Sandra Ogunremi of Rapid City was our Keynote Speaker and spoke with a passion on behalf of society’s most vulnerable. Hannah Katz, Interim Dir. with Campus Ventures SDSMT, sang in special music and three SDRTL Youth Essay Contest Winners (Gemma Daniel, Hope and Grace Skoog) read their amazing Pro-Life Essays. 

Following the Service the Rapid City Area RTL Chapter met and held their monthly RTL Chapter Meeting. All are invited to join them each month. For more information please contact their President Sarah DeCost at thegirliegirls@outlook.com.

Sunday, January 18, marked Sanctity of Life Sunday, and SDRTL Executive Director Jenn Lee was honored to deliver the message at Living Springs Church in Brandon, SD. We are deeply grateful for churches that open both their doors and their pulpits to proclaim the value and dignity of every human life. Pastor Richard Gordon and his wife, Beth (pictured above), are steadfast friends of SDRTL, and we look forward to continued partnership with them as we work together to keep South Dakota strong in its commitment to life. Thank you, Living Springs!

If you would like to invite Jenn Lee to speak at your church, send an email request to: Jenn.SDRTL@gmail.com.

One of our amazing SDRTL Chapters has stepped up to fully sponsor one young adult, age 18–25, to attend the National Right to Life Academy for one week this summer in Washington, D.C. This incredible academy offers intensive pro-life training led by foremost leaders in the movement, covering topics such as:

• abortion
• euthanasia
• stem cell research
• Planned Parenthood
• legislative strategy
• politics
• communication
• grassroots organizing
• IVF...and much more!

The cost per student is $2,500, which covers tuition for the Academy, one round-trip flight, a seven-night hotel stay, and meals. Our goal is to match this gift and send two outstanding young leaders from South Dakota to attend. If we exceed our goal, we will be able to sponsor additional students.

If you would like to help our Chapters make this opportunity possible, please donate using the link below. In the “In Honor” section, please enter “Academy.” Checks may also be mailed, with “Academy” noted in the memo line, to:

SDRTL

4001 W Valhalla Blvd, Ste 101

Sioux Falls, SD, 57106

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the NRLC Academy, download the application here.

Thank you so much for investing in South Dakota's future pro-life leaders! We will keep you up to date on those chosen for this incredible opportunity.

Hello, my name is Gracie Zeeb. I am the president this year of Jacks for Life. We are a college club on the SDSU campus that seeks to promote life from conception until natural death. We meet every three weeks as well as attend and host different events. This year we are fortunate enough to be attending the national March for Life in Washington DC in January. We have 23 students going! After our fundraising events we only have a few students that do not have their trips fully paid for.

If you or someone you know would like to support our group whether financially or through prayer, please share this need with them. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Email gracie.zeeb@jacks.sdstate.edu for donation information, or, give here by typing "Jacks for Life" into the "In Honor of" category on the giving page. Thank you so much for helping equip the next generation to stand for truth and life.

You are cordially invited to attend this year’s Hour of Reflection, taking place in the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre, along with our annual March for Life. We are honored to welcome Jenna Spellerberg, RN, Nurse Manager at Alpha Center, as our keynote speaker. The program will also feature special music by Kate McKeehan.

Join us for this inspiring event at the South Dakota State Capitol on Sunday afternoon, February 1st, as we come together to advocate for the sanctity of life at all stages. The march around the Capitol will begin at noon, led by LIFE Runners Founder, Dr. Pat Castle, with the program following inside the Capitol at 2pm (CST). We look forward to your presence at this important gathering.

We are so thankful for your heart for moms, dads, and babies in SD. We love our partners!

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, make your check out to "South Dakota Right to Life Education Fund," or give online at SDRighttoLife.org. Mail your donations to:

SDRTL

4001 W Valhalla Blvd, Ste 101

Sioux Falls, SD 57106