In Memoriam: Caryl Swift
President, Georgia Right to Life (2000–2007)

Caryl led with a rare combination of bold conviction and genuine kindness. She was fearless in advocating for the dignity and protection of those most vulnerable to legal threats to their personhood, while remaining compassionate and attentive to the real-life needs of women, families, and communities. Her leadership reflected a clear moral vision paired with a steadfast commitment to educating hearts and minds.

One of the most enduring legacies of Caryl’s presidency was the launch of the R.E.A.C.H. Project (Raising Educational Awareness and Changing Hearts). Recognizing the critical need for accessible, life-affirming information, she helped guide Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) into a new era of public education.

“She spearheaded raising $400,000 to run pro-life ads on TV to reach women who were considering an abortion,” remembers Nancy Stith, who served as Executive Director during Caryl’s presidency.

Other developments credited to Caryl’s leadership of the organization include not only chapter development and expansion but also collaboration with Joan Ransom to form Black Georgians for Life, a years-long project aimed at decreasing the rate of abortion in Georgia’s black community.

Most notably, under Caryl’s direction, GRTL successfully met its legislative goal to include a bill for “Choose Life” license plates benefiting the work of county pregnancy centers among other nonprofits. The “Choose Life” tag legacy has carried on for decades in Georgia.

From left: Nancy Stith, former GRTL Executive Director; Genevieve Wilson, former Director of Chapter Development; Dan Becker, former GRTL President; Caryl Swift; Mike Griffin, former GRTL Legislative Director; and Catherine Davis, President of Restoration Project.

Karen LaBarr, the former president of Choose Life Georgia, fondly recalls, “My favorite story about Caryl was her meeting with Zell Miller, when he asked her to forgive him for all he did to thwart pro-life legislation as Lt. Governor and Governor. He offered to do anything he could to make up for it. She made big asks which he agreed to: headline a fundraising luncheon and speak at the annual service and march. Seeing them walk arm-in-arm down Peachtree Street was a miracle!”

Her presidency left an indelible mark on Georgia Right to Life, and her legacy continues through the ongoing work she helped establish.

“Her faith in Jesus Christ was the center of her life. That faith was evident in her conversations, in her work, and in the way she treated others. She lived what she believed,” reflects Genevieve Wilson, former Director of Chapter Development. And, as former GRTL President, Dan Becker says, “…woe to friend or foe alike who met the lioness within defending her ‘little ones.’”

We honor Caryl Swift’s memory with gratitude and commit to carrying forward the principles she embodied so faithfully.