Birthright of Pittsburgh, Inc. is the city of Pittsburgh’s first pro-life pregnancy support center dedicated to providing alternatives to abortion with compassion and practical assistance.

A chapter of Birthright International, the first pregnancy support center in the world, Birthright was founded in 1971 by Rita Cunningham, who also established the La Leche League and was a founding member of People Concerned for the Unborn Child (PCUC).

Established in Toronto, Canada in 1968, Birthright International was founded by Louise Summerhill in response to partial legislation for abortion. When abortion was legalized in the United States in 1973, the work of Ms. Summerhill in providing alternatives to abortion to girls and women was becoming well known. Since that time, over 450 chapters exist in the United States as well as in Africa, Australia, the British Isles, Hong Kong, Singapore and various places throughout the world.

With a firm belief that “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born,” Birthright offers pregnant girls and women practical and emotional alternatives to abortion with trained volunteers and a paid, part-time executive director.

As a nonprofit charitable organization, the services Birthright volunteers offer to pregnant women are confidentiality, guidance, free pregnancy tests, referrals to community agencies including adoption, infant clothing, fetal development education, post-abortion counseling, and client follow-up throughout pregnancy. There is no regard to age, income, religion or race for clients and there is never a charge for any services. Birthright never engages in “scare tactics,” protests or political demonstrations. The essence of Birthright is love and compassionate support to women faced with difficult decisions regarding the life of their unborn baby.

Birthright is nonpolitical, interdenominational, does not evangelize and receives no local, state or federal funding. It is not affiliated with any organizations. Birthright is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is solely funded through contributions of private individuals, places of worship, foundations and United Way contributions.