Beverly LaHaye, Founder of Concerned Women for America, Champion of Conservative Family Values, Dies at 94

Beverly LaHaye, a fervent advocate for conservative values and the traditional family structure, passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday in hospice in El Cajon, Calif., near San Diego. She leaves behind a legacy of activism and leadership as the founder of Concerned Women for America, a prominent organization within the Christian right.

Founding Concerned Women for America

In 1979, Mrs. LaHaye established Concerned Women for America, which quickly gained recognition as a stronghold for conservative principles. The organization became a forceful voice against abortion, gay rights, and the Equal Rights Amendment, drawing attention to issues of significant social and political importance.

Influence in Washington

During the 1980s, Mrs. LaHaye led an office in Washington with over 25 employees, including lawyers and lobbyists. Her influence extended to urging Congress to provide military aid to the right-wing contras in Nicaragua, as well as rallying members to voice opposition to condom commercials on television networks. She also testified in the Senate in support of President Ronald Reagan’s Supreme Court nominees Antonin Scalia and Robert Bork.

President Reagan himself acknowledged Mrs. LaHaye's impact, addressing Concerned Women of America's 1987 convention. The president praised the organization as the largest politically active women's group in the nation and hailed Mrs. LaHaye as one of the powerhouses on the contemporary political scene.

Mrs. LaHaye's commitment to advancing conservative principles and her unparalleled leadership within Concerned Women for America have left an indelible mark on the landscape of American social and political activism.