Third Place: 2025 Annual Helen M. Donovan Memorial Award Essay Contest
The results of the 2025 Helen Donovan Memorial Essay Contest are complete. Once again the young pro-life voices in the state are showing how thoughtful they are on pro-life issues. We are grateful for the participation of all those who submitted an essay this year.
This essay titled Promoting the Culture of Life won third place and is by Samira Hackman
Promoting the Culture of Life
The distant sound of gunshots being fired still echoes in my mind, an inescapable reminder of those nights I spent shivering under thin covers, seeking solace in pillows that could never shield me from the For over four months, I lived in Honduras, a land of breathtaking beauty marred by relentless human violence. The weight of it left a permanent mark on my soul. Economic limitations, resource scarcity, and governmental indifference created fertile ground for a culture of brutality. What, I often wondered, could justify such a disregard for human life? The grief was palpable; families torn apart, lives shattered. I recall the faces etched with anguish, the wails of mourning that seemed to echo endlessly. The suffering I witnessed in Honduras starkly contrasted with the belief in Catholic teaching that “God created man and woman in his image” (Genesis 1:26-28), highlighting the profound dignity inherent in every individual. This disconnect underscores the urgent need to acknowledge and protect that dignity, as countless lives remain marred by violence and despair, reminding us of our shared humanity. The divine spark that makes all life holy and deserving of respect and protection from conception until natural death has been obscured by forces that devalue life itself. In today’s interconnected world, where social media brings us closer, it simultaneously exposes us to an overwhelming flood of content that erodes this sense of human dignity. Images of violence, divisive persuasion, and apathy saturate our screens. But amidst the chaos, a transformative opportunity emerges—a chance to reclaim these platforms as tools for good. When wielded with purpose, social media can serve as a powerful platform for spiritual evolution, where millions gather to celebrate and uphold the profound value of human dignity, creating a beacon of light in a darkened world that embraces love and the sanctity of life.
The threats to the sanctity of life are growing increasingly subtle. From the violent shrapnel of war to the quiet tragedies of abortion and euthanasia, human dignity is under siege. Cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the continued use of the death penalty are rarely scrutinized with the moral urgency they demand. Many people are unaware of how these practices negatively impact our moral and cultural views. The media we consume, even our news channels, bombards us with stories of innocent lives lost, each headline another grim testament to the disregard for life’s inherent value. The violence I witnessed in Honduras is not unique to that nation. Across the world, communities are devastated by armed conflict, systemic poverty, and exploitative practices that reduce people to nothing more than products. According to the World Bank, nearly ten percent of the global population lives on less than $2.15 a day, a staggering statistic that emphasizes the intersection of poverty and violence (“Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022”). These conditions perpetuate cycles of desperation, stripping individuals of their dignity and leading to further violence. But what if we could turn this tide? What if we could harness the power of these same platforms to awaken the world to the sacredness of every life?
Social media is not only a mirror of society—it can also be its catalyst for change. Imagine campaigns that transcend mere hashtags and bring to life the Catholic commitment to preserving human dignity. One specific and actionable way to harness the power of social media for this mission is through focused storytelling campaigns that utilize platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. For example, a campaign could be launched featuring weekly “Human Dignity Stories,” where individuals and families share their narratives related to their experiences with issues like poverty, illness, or the joys and challenges of caring for the elderly. By creating short, impactful video clips that highlight both struggles and triumphs, we can provide a vivid representation of the sacredness of every life. To amplify this effort, partnerships with influential creators and organizations can be established. This network can promote these stories far and wide, creating a shared sense of responsibility and solidarity as followers engage, comment, and share their own experiences. Each story can be accompanied by educational content—like infographics explaining related social issues or snippets from Catholic teachings that emphasize respect for human dignity.
Every life lost, whether to violence, neglect, illness, or systemic injustice—strengthens my commitment to promoting a culture that values human and preserves human dignity. My experiences in Honduras, vivid and raw, remind me of the urgency of this mission. Social media, when used intentionally, can transform hearts and minds, providing a platform where stories of resilience and advocacy for life can reach millions. These platforms can unite individuals in protecting life at every stage, from the unborn to the elderly, and support those in the shadows of poverty and injustice. However, this effort demands more than online engagement; it requires real-world action to challenge societal norms that devalue life and to build communities grounded in compassion. By amplifying campaigns that educate about the dangers of practices like cloning and euthanasia while uplifting alternatives that respect human dignity, we can create virtual sanctuaries for connection and advocacy. This is a call to action to reimagine engagement, planting seeds of change where life is cherished. By weaving Catholic teachings into modern platforms, we can inspire a movement that transcends borders, recognizing the divine spark within each person. Together, we can create a world where respect för life is a lived reality, ensuring that the dignity of every human being is upheld. In doing so, we answer the call of our time to safeguard the sacredness of life and bring light to a world in need.
Works Cited
“Genesis 1:26-28.” The New Revised Standard Version Bible, Catholic Edition, Harper One, 2007.
“Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022: Correcting Course.” The World Bank, 2022, https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/poverty-and-shared-prosperity
