Aid for Women is pleased to introduce our new executive director! Sandy Hiltebrand brings extensive experience in pro-life work, a vision for our future, and true dedication and compassion for this work. Sandy's warmth, faith, and gentle spirit are known and loved by Aid for Women's staff, volunteers and Board where she has served for almost three years. Sandy is truly a blessing.

Nearly 30 years involvement in pro-life work has led me to accept the position of executive director of Aid for Women. What caused me to become active so many years ago was a shocking headline and story that appeared in my community newspaper. The headline was "North Shore Women Organize to Change the Connotation of Abortion". Women hosting friendly, neighborhood coffees for other women, to promote a deceitful, sanitized version of abortion was too insidious to tolerate. After writing my first letter-to-the-editor for the same paper and having it published, I joined the Illinois Right to Life Committee to become a pro-life educator. In 1974, the year after Roe v. Wade, I was elected president of IRLC. For 15 years I served as respect life coordinator for my parish, the Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest. As a member of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Right to Life Society, planning programs featuring national pro-life leaders, and testifying before federal, state and regional commissions, was the way I helped in the effort to pass pro-life legislation. Changing policies at local hospitals that allow abortions has been a priority for me. Serving as a board member for Aid for Women and, in particular, as a counselor, has been good preparation for assuming the responsibilities of executive director. The counseling experience proved to me the importance and beauty of this ministry. To witness incredible transformations from abortion-bent to life-affirming is a blessed privilege. Prayer, loving compassion and direction allow healing for so many who come to Aid for Women. This support will continue and we hope to provide more services in expanded space at our center very soon. Being part of all this is truly inspiring and exciting. I will do everything I can to help make wonderful plans for growth become reality.

"You are never out of sight or out of mind. I may be 650 miles away, but I'm involved with the most important organization in my life - Aid for Women. I'm grateful to all you wonderful pro-life friends for supporting our ministry." Quote from now retired Aid for Women founder, Tom Bresler