Contact: Maggie, 410-760-3326, Maggie@NPLR.net
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- On January 24 of this year, pro-life activist, Day Gardner was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree in a formal ceremony that was held at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. The prestigious Doctorate of Humane Letters was awarded to her from Faith Evangelical College and Seminary of Tacoma, Washington. The event was also hosted by the National Clergy Council Joint Academic Commission and the Methodist Episcopal Church, USA.
Day Gardner acknowledged her mother and other family members attending the late afternoon event and had this to say about her father who passed away in 2004: "My parents are proud today. My mother, Barbara Lipford is here...and though my dear father and earthly hero Richard Lipford, passed away in 2004, he is here also. I carry him in my mind's eye and in the countless memories that I cherish in the deepest places in my heart. Mother and Pop, I'm glad that you are here, I love you."
She went on to talk about her greatest realizations: "The first realization is that God is real! I grew up in a Christian home, but my personal relationship with God started 26 years ago. I came to realize God was and is exactly who He says He is -- my eyes were opened. For me, it wasn't the Oprah 'ah-ha' moment -- it was more like BAM!
Gardner continued her remarks with the realization that unborn children are, according to the Bible, a reward and a gift from God. "We must also realize and uphold that all children are greatly valuable and desirable in God's eyes," she said.
She closed by saying God has a plan: "We live every day in wait -- in anticipation -- to see God's plan unfold. Until then, though we may never have time to do the things we should do -- I pray we'll strive to do the things we can do. We can work together to end the senseless and brutal killing of children by abortion."
Day Gardner is a former singer, business woman, and designer. She secured her place in history by breaking through stereotypical roadblocks and overt racism of the 70's to become the first black woman to place as a semi-finalist in the Miss America Pageant.
Dr. Day Gardner is Founder and President of the National Black Pro-Life Union and Associate Director of the National Pro Life Center on Capitol Hill. She also anchors a program online at NPLR.net.
