Who We Are

 Sarah McGervey holds two associate degrees from Lorain County Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Cleveland State University, and a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry from Boston College. Her professional experience involves teaching in Catholic schools at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. 

While in college, Sarah was the president of the Lorain County Community College Chapter of Students for Life of America. As a student in both undergraduate and graduate school she attended the March for life in Washington DC every year, and while teaching would educate her students on the history of Roe v. Wade, the March for Life, and the impact abortion has had on all facets of life. She is part of a large extended family that has been involved with the pro-life mission for decades and promotes the protection of life from conception to natural death. Sarah has been particularly involved with  Lorain County Right to Life, Sidewalk Advocates for Life, 40 Days for Life; keeping regular vigil outside of abortion clinics, preparing blessing bags for women in unplanned pregnancies, and participating in activities such as rosary for life and pro-life holy hours at parishes.

Sarah believes so strongly in being a voice for the voiceless that she ran for state representative to protect and sponsor legislation to protect the unborn and life issues from conception to natural death. She envisions carrying out the mission of the organization through networking with schools, churches, organizations and legislators; encouraging participation through time, talent, and legislative efforts to truly make Ohio a pro-life state.  

Ken brings to his position a long history of leadership and experience with charity, fraternity, unity, and patriotism through the Knights of Columbus. Ken started and was the first Grand Knight of the council at his church, and a few years later started the first parish-based assembly of the 4th-degree order of the Knights of Columbus. Both the council and assembly were extremely active in family and charitable activities under his leadership. He was later asked by the state leadership to take on the role of district deputy, where he was successful in starting several more Knights of Columbus councils, re-invigorating several inactive councils, and earned many state and national awards for his involvement with this group.

Ken has a long history of involvement in church and community activities as well as a successful business career. He retired from Leipold Tire, a family business that he helped grow from a small 3 employee tire store in the 1970’s to a thriving, service-oriented local business expanded into two locations.

Amy has been involved in the pro-life cause for over 25 years. In college, she served as a counselor in a pregnancy center. Since then she has been involved in many pro-life activities at church and in her community. She is currently the leader of the Respect Life group at St. Hilary Parish in Akron. They regularly collect donations for pregnancy centers, in addition to conducting pro-life rosaries and regular vigils at the Akron abortion facility. On the anniversary of the legalization of abortion every January, the group holds a prayer vigil and sponsors an educational speaker at their church.

Amy is the owner of Comfort Keepers in Cuyahoga Falls and Medina. The mission of Comfort Keepers is to help the elderly live full, independent and dignified lives within the comfort of their own homes. They are dedicated to providing in-home care that enriches clients’ lives and helps them maintain the highest possible level of independent living.

Denise has a long history of involvement with the pro-life cause, and previous experience in management, marketing, education, legislation, and more with both non-profit and business organizations.  She is a past executive director of Right to Life of Northeast Ohio where she worked in collaboration with pro-life adult and youth groups and churches throughout the northeast Ohio area through programming, education, advocacy, legislation, and more to improve the culture of life.  She developed and taught many classes on sidewalk counseling as well as classes concerning end-of-life concerns.  Denise has been a keynote speaker for many organizations concerning life issues and has testified before the Ohio House, Senate, and many local legislative bodies regarding legislation affecting the right to life.  Her efforts to combat Ohio’s infant mortality crisis and the connection to surgical abortion have been published in the prestigious Human Life Review.

Denise lives in Cuyahoga Falls with her husband, Ken, where she has been involved with church and community services most of her life.

Kayla Atchison is passionately pro-life and has dedicated her life to the cause. From running campaigns for conservative candidates to helping clients in the Barberton Drug Court, Kayla has always been a champion for life.

Kayla is a proud graduate of Green High School and The University of Akron where she earned her BA in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. She attends Grace Church, and is an unashamed believer. 

Kayla is a recent inductee to the Greater Akron Chamber’s 30 for the Future for her professional and philanthropic accomplishments, and was named by the Republican National Committee as a “Rising Star.” Currently, she works as district director for Congressman Max Miller representing Ohio’s 7th Congressional District. 

James Graening has volunteer experience that includes programs for the United Methodist Church, the Alive Festival in NE Ohio and various church and community youth camps, as well as a musician and worship team participant for several local churches.  He has over thirty-five years of experience in contracting, and in recent years was VP Service Sales and corporate sales trainer for Comfort Systems USA. He served as Vice President of Commercial for Excellence Alliance, and as past educator and coach for Business Development Resources, working as a consultant to several contracting organizations. He is currently a sales trainer, coach and mentor serving the service industry with sales programs, management programs and strategic business planning. Educated at the University of Akron for business, HVAC/R and electronics, he has attended various HVAC/R industry schools and has a background in business management and sales, as well as being a contributing writer for trades publications and a published author.

Robert is a United States Air Force veteran and is a highly experienced technician proficient in almost all facets of hardware and software in the computer industry. He is the owner/operator of Hedtech Technologies in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and has a long, successful business background with several companies in computer-related and internet technology.

He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is a long-time volunteer involved with cooking food for the homeless in the Akron Community through the “One Hot Meal” program at St. Bernard’s church in Akron, and is also working with the Haven of Rest. Robert is devoted to the pro-life cause and is a long time supporter and donor of services to Right to Life of Northeast Ohio.

Reita worked for BFGoodrich in different positions with the Adhesives Group. She was a stay at home mom for 17 years and during that time was involved in pro-life work in different capacities. She then spent more than 10 years as office administrator of Right to Life of Northeast Ohio. She retired from that position in 2017 and continues her pro-life work as the Board Treasurer and through activities at her church.

Rev. Schneider served on the pastoral staff of The Chapel in Akron for 37 years.  His involvement as a pro-life advocate is extensive.  In addition to lecturing to churches, students and medical groups about abortion, he was responsible for starting a northeast Ohio chapter of the Christian Action Council.  In 1983, he was part of the steering committee that started the Summit County Crisis Pregnancy Center which later became Akron Pregnancy Services.  He remained on the board there for many years.  At The Chapel, he sought to be their pro-life conscience and promoted the sanctity of life through many activities in conjunction with Right to Life of Northeast Ohio.  He is also active with the board of Akron Pregnancy Services and Pregnancy Choices through their merger.  Rev. Schneider was married to Myra (now deceased) for 41 years and has 3 married sons and ten grandchildren.

Linda Warren educates area pro-life youth to confidently talk with peers about pro-life issues from conception to natural death. She is the coordinator 40 Days for Life Campaigns in Stark County and prays peacefully at abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood. Linda has raised three children with her husband and currently enjoys spending time with her many grandchildren. Linda also serves as Vice President on the board of Life Education Fund, the 501c3 affiliate with Right to Life of Northeast Ohio.

Raymond J. Adamek, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Kent State University where he taught courses in the family, statistics, research methods, and other subjects for some 39 years. Dr. Adamek has published some 51 articles in academic journals and other outlets. These include 22 publications on life-issue topics in publications such as The Human Life Review, and the National Right to Life News. Fourteen of Dr. Adamek’s publications deal with public opinion on abortion. In December of 1981, he testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution concerning public opinion on abortion.

Dr. Adamek has also given over 50 presentations at a number of academic forums, including the Society for Applied Sociology, the North Central Sociological Association, the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Social Problems and the National Council on Family Relations. The topics ranged from marital interaction, teen sexual subculture, abortion polling, violence and radicalization, and job satisfaction.

Dr. Adamek has been active in the pro-life movement since 1972. He has served as the President of the former Right to Life of Portage County, and of Greater Akron Right to Life. He has also served on the Board of the Ohio Right to Life Society.