{"id":1903,"date":"2014-12-22T21:57:40","date_gmt":"2014-12-22T21:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/?p=1903"},"modified":"2014-12-22T21:57:40","modified_gmt":"2014-12-22T21:57:40","slug":"a-woman-on-a-mission-reggie-littlejohn-founder-and-president-womens-rights-without-frontiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/a-woman-on-a-mission-reggie-littlejohn-founder-and-president-womens-rights-without-frontiers\/","title":{"rendered":"A Woman on a Mission \u2014 Reggie Littlejohn, Founder and President, Women\u2019s Rights without Frontiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Friend,
\nPeople often wonder why I left being a litigation attorney to dedicate my life to the women and babies of China. Here is my personal story and journey of faith.\u00a0<\/i><\/span>
\"\"<\/p>\n

This article is republished with permission from Skip Vaccarello.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Littlejohn<\/a>

Littlejohn at a Congressional press conference, with 200,000 signatures on a petition to end gendercide and forced abortion in China. Littlejohn and Cong. Chris Smith attempted to deliver these to the Chinese Embassy on April 24, 2013, but the Chinese Embassy refused to open its doors.<\/p><\/div>\n

Reggie Littlejohn is a woman on a mission.\u00a0 Her life comprises an amazing journey from atheist to believer, from litigator to international rights advocate, from a person with boundless energy to a bedridden patient for five years \u2013 then back again to an energetic world traveler, leader, screenwriter and public speaker. \u00a0She views it all as part of God\u2019s plan to give her the passion and skills to shed light on abuses done to women and girls worldwide, especially in China.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Atheist to Believer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Littlejohn grew up in a Christian home, but at age sixteen announced to her parents that she was an atheist and refused to go to church.\u00a0 Littlejohn moved from an atheist to an agnostic when she read the Bible for the first time in an ancient literature course in college.<\/p>\n

\n

As I read the Gospel of John, I realized just who this person Jesus was and what he did.\u00a0 I told myself, \u201cThis is not what I rejected.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

She married her college sweetheart. \u00a0Following her college graduation Littlejohn, enrolled at Yale Law School, while her husband attended Yale Divinity School. \u00a0She took a year off from her studies to travel around the world.\u00a0 On two separate trips, Littlejohn had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa and volunteer with the Mother Teresa\u2019s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta.<\/p>\n

\n

Every morning I was at Mass, every evening I was at Holy Hour.\u00a0 Mother Teresa was repeatedly reaching out to me.\u00a0 Every day I was ministering either to the people who were dying or people in tremendous need.\u00a0 By the end of this, I totally believed in God.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Following law school, she gave birth to her son, Nico. \u00a0She decided to wait a year before taking a job at a law firm in San Francisco, to take care of her newborn.\u00a0 During that time off, she audited classes at the Yale Divinity School, where her husband was attending.\u00a0 Littlejohn comments,<\/p>\n

\n

It was the first time I ever read the entire New Testament.\u00a0\u00a0 The whole message just blew me away.\u00a0 By the end of that I was a committed Christian.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lawyer<\/strong><\/p>\n

After law school, Littlejohn and her husband headed off to San Francisco, where Littlejohn took a position as a litigation associate in a major law firm.\u00a0 She planned to stay at the firm only until her college and law school debt was paid off, but found that she loved her work as a litigator.\u00a0 She practiced litigation eight years.\u00a0 During her time as a litigator, she performed\u00a0pro bono<\/i>\u00a0work helping Chinese refugees seeking asylum in the United States.<\/p>\n

\n

My first refugee was someone who was persecuted as a Christian and forcibly sterilized.\u00a0 That opened two whole worlds up to me.\u00a0 First, I didn\u2019t know that Christians were persecuted in China.\u00a0 Second, I knew that China had a one-child policy, but I never stopped to think how it was enforced.\u00a0 I did not realize until I represented this first woman that it is enforced through forced abortion, forced sterilization and infanticide.\u00a0 I was utterly appalled.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Miscarriage<\/strong><\/p>\n

During her years as a lawyer, Littlejohn got pregnant with her second child.\u00a0 Sadly, this pregnancy ended in miscarriage.\u00a0 Littlejohn was heartbroken.\u00a0 She called her mother and said, \u201cWhy would God allow me to get pregnant with a child that would be so loved and so well cared for, and then take that child away?\u201d\u00a0 Her mother said, \u201cWe may never be able to answer that question.\u00a0 But I believe that somehow, God will use this pain for a purpose.\u201d\u00a0 Littlejohn believes the pain of that miscarriage, and a second one, are what sensitized her to the suffering of women losing babies against their will.<\/p>\n

\n

Of course I have never suffered the violence of a forced abortion.\u00a0 But I do know what it\u2019s like to lose two babies that I wanted.\u00a0 I believe that, because of the painful loss of my own babies through miscarriage, when I heard that women are being forcibly aborted in China, my response was visceral.\u00a0 I just couldn\u2019t look the other way.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Struck Down by Mastectomies and Infection<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2003, Littlejohn developed multiple breast lumps. Because of her strong family history of breast cancer, she had bilateral mastectomies with implant reconstruction.\u00a0 Unfortunately, during the surgery she contracted an MRSA staph infection, which is often deadly.\u00a0 She left the practice of law on a medical leave of absence and was disabled for five years.\u00a0 During that 5-year period, Littlejohn had to undergo several surgeries and developed chronic fatigue syndrome as well.\u00a0 Her time as a patient, however, became a spiritual awakening.<\/p>\n

\n

I cast myself on the Lord and He gave me this hunger for His Word.\u00a0 I read the Bible over and over.\u00a0 The Bible says, \u201cDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.\u201d\u00a0 I felt that the Lord was renewing my mind.\u00a0 Then I felt called to begin praying for those worse off than I was.\u00a0 I began to pray for Christians who were being tortured for their faith, and women who were being forcibly aborted. It became my sole focus and consuming passion to do something about this abuse.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Her Life Mission Changed<\/strong><\/p>\n

My mission went from making lots of money as an attorney to helping women and babies devastated by forced abortion and female gendercide in China due to China\u2019s One-Child Policy.<\/p>\n

Littlejohn recounts the unintended consequences of China\u2019s One -Child Policy \u2013 forced abortion, forced sterilization, death from botched procedures, and the situation where there are 37 million more men than women living in China, which in turn results in human trafficking, sexual slavery, and a high rate of female suicide.<\/p>\n

Screenplay<\/strong><\/p>\n

During her period of convalescence, Littlejohn prayed for guidance on what God would have her do specifically with her passion and new mission. \u00a0God gave her the direction, \u201cto write a screenplay.\u201d\u00a0 Since she had had no previous experience or aspiration in this regard, she was astonished by this persistent direction and looked for confirmation.\u00a0 She recalls, \u201cGod\u2019s voice would not go away \u2013 \u2018write a screenplay\u2019, \u2018write a screenplay\u2019 is what I kept hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confirmation also came from her friends, who encouraged her to write the screenplay and started praying for her.\u00a0 Littlejohn came to realize that a film would be the most powerful way to communicate the devastation caused by China\u2019s One-Child-Policy, and to move hearts and minds to end it.\u00a0 She wrote \u201cPearls of China,\u201d a feature-length drama.\u00a0 The script has won numerous awards, including first place in the \u201cAdventure and Action\u201d category.\u00a0 She has taken the project through development and is currently raising production funds for the film.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the end of 2008, Littlejohn had begun to emerge from her disease, or her \u201cfive dark years,\u201d as she calls her period of disability.\u00a0 With renewed energy, she founded the non-profit organization,\u00a0Women\u2019s Rights without Frontiers<\/a>\u00a0(WRWF), which has been called the leading voice to expose and oppose forced abortion, gendercide, and sexual slavery in China.\u00a0 In addition, the organization is directly saving the lives of girls at risk of sex-selective abortion through its \u201cSave a Girl\u201d Campaign.<\/p>\n

\"Littlejohn<\/a>

Littlejohn testifies on behalf of blind activist Chen Guangcheng at an emergency hearing of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, May 3, 2012. Photo credit: The Epoch Times<\/p><\/div>\n

As the WRWF leader, Littlejohn has had the opportunity to speak many times on the Voice of America, the U.S. official broadcast into China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.\u00a0 She spoke before the European Parliament, the British and Irish Parliaments,and at universities, including Harvard and Stanford law schools.\u00a0 She has briefed officials at the White House, the U.S. State Department and the Vatican.\u00a0 In addition, she has testified six times before the U.S. Congress.<\/p>\n

\"Littlejohn<\/a>

Littlejohn meets Pope Francis at the Vatican on September 20, 2013<\/p><\/div>\n

She has had many television and radio appearances, including on CNN, C-Span and Voice of America.\u00a0 In January, 2013, Littlejohn was given the National Pro-Life Recognition Award at the 40th<\/sup>\u00a0Annual March for Life.\u00a0 In May, 2013, she addressed 25,000 people in Ottawa, as the keynote speaker of Canada\u2019s march against gendercide.\u00a0 In June, 2013 Littlejohn was the keynote speaker at the National Right to Life Convention in Dallas.\u00a0 In September, 2013 she met Pope Francis in Rome.\u00a0 In November, 2013, she traveled to Hong Kong as the featured speaker of the screening of \u201cIt\u2019s a Girl\u201d at the Amnesty International Film Festival.<\/p>\n

\"Littlejohn<\/a>

Littlejohn with blind activist Chen Guangcheng in Washington, DC in January, 2013.<\/p><\/div>\n

From 2009 to 2012, Littlejohn led the successful, international effort to free blind activist Chen Guangcheng.\u00a0 In 2013, Littlejohn successfully led the effort to bring the daughters of prominent dissident Zhang Lin to the United States.\u00a0 She and her husband are now raising ten-year-old Zhang Anni in their home, as their own.<\/p>\n

\"Littlejohn<\/a>

Littlejohn greets Anni and Ruli Zhang at the San Francisco Airport on September 7, 2013.<\/p><\/div>\n

God\u2019s Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking back on her life, Littlejohn clearly sees God\u2019s hand in giving her the skills, experience, and passion to pursue her mission.<\/p>\n

\n

I see it all as part of God\u2019s plan for me \u2013 Mother Teresa, my illness, the opportunity to represent Chinese refugees as a lawyer, and even my miscarriage. \u00a0If I had not lost my own baby in miscarriage, I might not have developed the passion to help women who were victims of forced abortion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The scripture that most inspires Littlejohn in her work is Proverbs 24:11-12.<\/p>\n

\n

Rescue those being led away to death;<\/p>\n

Hold back those staggering toward slaughter.<\/p>\n

If you say, \u201cBut we knew nothing about this,\u201d<\/p>\n

Does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?<\/p>\n

Does not He who guards your life know it?<\/p>\n

Will He not repay each person according to what he has done?<\/p>\n

\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Dear Friend, People often wonder why I left being a litigation attorney to dedicate my life to the women and babies of China. Here is my personal story and journey of faith.\u00a0 This article is republished with permission from Skip … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[169,167,164,10,49,166,30,26,6,114,155,154,165,156,8,152,168,20,32,31,1,153,118,23,55,138,139,150],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-breast-cancer","category-catholic","category-chen-guangcheng","category-chinas-one-child-policy","category-christian","category-coerced-abortion","category-european-parliament","category-human-rights","category-its-a-girl","category-mastectomy","category-miscarriage","category-mother-teresa","category-mrsa-staph","category-one-child-policy","category-pope-francis","category-prayer","category-reggie-littlejohn","category-reproductive-health","category-reproductive-rights","category-uncategorized","category-vatican","category-war-on-women","category-womens-rights","category-womens-rights-without-frontiers","category-zhang-anni","category-zhang-lin","category-zhang-ruli"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1903"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1911,"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903\/revisions\/1911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}