Missouri Stands with Women

Although Amendment 3 passed, the organization said it would continue to campaign for pro-life policies in the state. ²

Background

Missouri Stands with Women led the campaign effort opposing Amendment 3, a 2024 ballot measure that would enshrine abortion access in the Missouri state constitution. ³

Missouri Stands with Women says it is a united coalition of citizens and organizations across Missouri that believes in the well-being of women and girls, and says women and girls deserve protection from the potential risks posed by unrestricted abortions with poor medical oversight. ⁴

The organization argues that “protecting life in Missouri is about standing up for the safety of women, the integrity of families, and the inherent dignity of every human being.” ⁵

The group says it wants to work with Missourians, whether they are pro-life, pro-choice or undecided, “to stand up for the rights of expectant mothers, new mothers, their children and families.” The group also said it wants to “make sure parents, and not out-of-state special interests are deciding what’s best for their children.” ⁶

Amendment 3 Campaign

As of June 2024, a law restricting abortion went into effect with exceptions that included saving the life or preventing a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman.  ⁷

A petition was launched for a ballot measure to enshrine abortion in the Missouri state Constitution. Missouri Stands with Women initially led a “decline to sign” campaign, urging people not to sign the initiative petition. This failed, as the petition gained 380,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot as Amendment 3. ⁸

Missouri Stands with Women was joined by fellow pro-life groups Vote No on 3 and Missouri Right to Life in opposition to the ballot initiative. ⁹

Missouri Stands with Women spokesperson Stephanie Bell said changes to abortion law should come through the legislature, not the Missouri Constitution. ¹⁰

Bell warned the definition of reproductive health care in the ballot measure was so broad that it could strike down Missouri’s ban on gender-transition surgery for minors. ¹⁰

The group warned if “abortion supporters get their way abortions could be done by those who aren’t doctors, abortion facilities would not need to be near blood banks or have hospital admitting privileges, and there would be no cleanliness regulation.” ⁶

The PAC supporting Amendment 3, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, raised more than $31 million to spend on TV ads. and other messaging across the state. ² Missouri Stands with Women raised $298,040.00 and spent $224,091.45 in opposition to Amendment 3. ⁷

Amendment 3 passed with 51.6 percent of the vote on the November 2024 ballot, making abortion a right under the Missouri constitution. ⁷

After Amendment 3 won in November 2024, Bell said: “Our work to protect the safety of women and the dignity of life continues. We will continue to fight and ultimately be victorious against the forces who see no value in life.” ²

Bell noted after the election results, “This is not the result we wanted but despite being outspent by millions of dollars, life won in the majority of Missouri counties.” ¹¹

Leadership

As of 2025, Samuel Lee was the president of Missouri Stands with Women, and Stephanie Bell was the spokeswoman. ^{12 13}

Funding

Raymond Ruddy contributed $100,000 to Missouri Stands with Women. ¹⁴

John Sauer, a former solicitor general of Missouri, contributed $20,000 to Missouri Stands with Women.  ¹⁴

The Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee gave $10,000 to Missouri Stands with Women.  ¹⁴

The Missouri Senate Republican Campaign Committee gave $10,000 to Missouri Stands with Women. ¹⁴

The St. Louis Archdiocese donated $5,000 to Missouri Stands with Women.  ¹⁴

The Kansas City Diocese gave $5,000 to Missouri Stands with Women.  ¹⁴