Joan Appleton
Pictured here with Fr. Frank Pavone are two friends, Debra Braun (L) and Joan Appleton (R). They became friends when Joan was the head nurse of an abortion faculty in Falls Church, Virginia, and Debra was active in the pro-life movement. They talked, corresponded, and visited with each other.
Though neither compromised her position on the abortion issue, their friendship grew. At one point there was a rescue at Joan's abortion facility. Debra came to town to take part in the rescue, and stayed at Joan's house the night before!
Friendship is powerful, and true friends lead one another to choose what is right. Joan eventually chose to renounce her involvement with abortion and with the National Organization for Women. In fact, she announced her intentions to withdraw at a NOW banquet at which she was speaking!
Pro-Life Action Ministries statement on the death of Joan Appleton (August 2012)
Priests for Life press release on the death of Joan Appleton (August 2012)
Audio: January 16, 2000: March for Life/ Interview with Joan Appleton, formerly involved in the abortion industry (Fr. Frank's Life and Choice radio program)
Audio: Fr. Frank's People of Life radio segment about Joan Appleton
Joan Appleton's invitation to abortion providers (2006)
Society of the Centurions